The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-01-17

rrLet's have cigar. Victor" said Alan
Craig when the last guest had gone and
the servants were putting out the lights.
They went into the library together.
A pale, late moon looked in through the
tall stained window, and they heard the
rush of the tide without.
GLOW did you come to dance with
Hope Armadale:' Craig asked abruptly
at the end Of several minutes of silence.
in which both felt that something was
brewing. His words had hard. threat
ening sound
Forsyth hesitated before he said stub
bornly, II suppose because was de-
termined to do it. And he added with
asneer. els Miss Armadale private prop
erty:"
Craig's hand was clinched as it rested
on the arm of his chair.
..Let her alone, Victor" he said be-
TWEEN his teeth. ''if you care for my
friendship
Forsyth got up haughtily.
"Have you claim on Miss Armadale?
cS VI Luz I0 od1O
Alan sprang to his feet also. Then
his expression changed. He was an even
tempered fellow on the whole.
"We'n not quarrel tonight, Victor
it takes two to quarrel" he said. II trust
we shall never quarrel about a woman.
But-we used to be confidential Of old.
I am ready to keep up the habit. And
sol am going to tell you that about all
care for in the world is to win Hope
Armadale.
Forsyth WINGED.
81 wish you had not told me-
GIVE firted with lots Of girls, as you
know" Craig went on. 1--we fancied
myself in love several times, and have
discovered that was mistaken. But
now l tell you frankly l am in for it.
If can't win Hope Armadale shall
go to the dogs. am different fellow
since I've known her. I've thought, you
know, that | was irresistible!" with a
short, nervous laugh. well. now I've
no pride left-as you may judge from
what Pm saying. Ihaye just one desire
one determination, and that is to make
myself necessary to that girl."
Forsyth's face was stern and unsym-
pathetic.
81 suppose ought to feel honored by
your confidence, Craig; but, to tell the
truth, there are some sentiments which
men had better keep to themselves.
The two were standing. The cold
moonlight streamed through the stained
window into the dimly lighted room.
Their faces looked fierce and ghostly in
the wan light.
"Do you mean that we are to be n
vals:' asked Craig slowly.
'tYou have no reason to fear book
worm like me-" equivocated Forsyth
contemptuously. "And besides, since
you have set the example of confidence,
I will tell you that my investments have
failed; that l am no longer rich
mani
A CLEAN of triumph crossed Craig's
handsome face.
'.She has got to marry man with
money-she has none," he said.
call right, then," retorted Forsyth
fercely; ''she can choose between Us. >
And he lighted his candle by the one
burning on the table. "Come," he said.
''let us give up the struggle for tonight,
and tomorrow-when patch up some
excuse for taking myself out Of your
house, and when afterward it is found
that have not left the beach after all,
you will understand that it is best to let
my reasons stand unchallenged."
lone word more" said Craig. Miss
Armadale has as good as accepted me.
have no right really to tell this. But
tonight-on the piazza, after dinner, l
said irrevocable words-to which she
listened without dissent. II you-should
cut me ont, Forsyth, you can have the
satisfaction of knowing that in her heart
she has already accepted me.
'Forewarned is forearmed," said For
syth. moving to the door. And for the
first time in their eight years Of friend
ship he felt sense Of superiority to
his friend-that superiority in things In
tellectual which tells even in contest
for woman's heart.