The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-05-02

that very day, even If 1t should become
necessary to pacify her manager by
considerable sum Of money.
Then he thought over his financial
situation. He had money enough to
support himself and wife for year or
two, here or abroad. After that he must
rely upon what be could earn himself, If
the break with his mother should become
final.
Here was the point that weighed most
heavily on the young mans heart as he
was leisurely dressing himself that morn
ing.
Was he not in honor bound to give
Miss Lyon q clear insight into his
affairs before she bound herself to
him? 1t was more than probable that
she supposed him to be rich in his own
right. Ought he not to tell her that he
was living on the bounty Of his mother,
and that but for her he should be only
poor physician who would even inevita-
bly, lose his present practice II be should
be renounced by his family?
It was clear to him that such was the
duty of gentleman. Yet he hesitated.
Again there stole into his mind that
vague but harassing fear that had made
him uncomfortable the night before.
Could it be that Lucy was not all the
idealism of love had pictured her to his
imagination? And If his fear was well
grounded, might she not possibly desire
to take back her word on discovering his
poverty2
At the thought an Icy chill came over
the young man. Life without her
seemed to be worse than death. And
|
yet that harassing doubt would not be
banished.
He could not pluck up courage enough
to tell her. It was like demanding his
death sentence.
Dr.. Warringham was not a moral hero
He was merely human, like the rest OF
Us.
In this frame Of mind he called, after
breakfast, upon Miss Lyon. He found
her ready to comply with his wishes.
Accordingly, she at once wrote letter
to the manager, informing him that she
was Ill and could not appear that night.
| In fact, the letter stated, her Doctor told
| her that there was little hope Of her re-
| covery in time to resume her work dur
Ing the present season.
This note she read to her lover, with
roguish smile, and then leaned back
in her chair, mimicking the languor and
| exhaustion of chronic valetudinarian
with such ludicrous exaggeration that
Ralph, with all his troubles, could not
help breaking into loud laughter.
sNow you will see my bear-leader ap-
pear, his lips overhowine with honeyed
words of sympathy, but his heart full OF
wrath" she said, merrily. "Oh, how !
| ha IN bor
hands, like child who is hiding from
the threatened appearance Of the black
man.
Could this charming young girl, who
laughed and played with all the limo
cence OF child. harbor mercenary M
t!vesP Ralph called himself scoundrel
for having doubted, even an instant, the
sincerity OF her love. Why, she was toe
innocent to even fully comprehend his
meaning if he should tell her about his
financial fears. Why disturb her merry
happiness?
The young man had found an excuse
for his moral cowardice. One can al.
ways find q reason for approving Of do
Ing what his heart IS set On.
"Let him come, " he said, lightly. III
it is necessary We must appease his
wrath with gold. But now tell me-" he
added more seriously, "since we cannot
wait until we have overcome the preju.
dices of my mother, when shall we be
married?"'
His conscience was not quite satisfied
with the reasoning of his heart AS be.
spoke these words he dared not look into
her face. His eye rested upon the glove
with which he nervously played.
Miss Lyon did not reply in words, but
when he raised his eyes, after waiting
an instant, she had pretty blush ready.
This is not the place for the recipe Of
actresses bushes.
awe need no preparations for our quiet
affair."" Ralph continued. "Is tomorrow
too soon, loTe?*
The handsome girl laid her arm around
the Doctors neck and hid her face on hi
shoulder He softly raised her head.
and, looking full into those great, deep.
beautiful eyes, he entreated:
"Tell me, my darling"
"Whenever you wish, Ralph" she NUT
tered, scarcely audibly, hiding her eyes
behind the long lashes, while another
blush overspread her features WITH
crimson.
Tomorrow, then" he exclaimed,
jubilantly, and his lips met hers,
At this moment the young man again
felt all the happiness that had inspired
him as he sat by his open study window
two days before Poor Ralph!
So it was arranged that Ralph War.
ringham and Lucy Lyon should be made
one on the day following. At the ap-
pointed hour gentleman with q
smoothly shaven face and black Prince
Albert coat sent his card to the room OF
Miss Lyon, and was at once admitted, to
the exceeding ehagrin Of Mr.. Fenderley,
the theatrical, manager, who had been
refused that boon, because "Miss Lyon
was too i'll to see anybody"
"Great heavens! Is she going to make
her will?" he muttered angrily. as he
paced up and down the tile floor OF the
| hotel lobby. For the black-coated gen.
| tleman was none other than Mr.. Baxter,
attorney at law and Justice OF the
| Peace.
While Mr.. Fenderly in the lobby, in
impotent rage, chewed the ends OF his
mustache until that maltreated pride Of
| his countenance was tattered so that the
barber swore, next morning, he could
never get It into shape again, Mr.. Bax.
ter, upstairs, fulfilled the duties Of his
Office. No outsiders were present, with
the exception of Jack Spofford and Miss
Lyons French maid, who served as wit
nesses.
Miss Lyon looked very charming IN
the tight-ftting, dark-colored travelling
suit she wore Oh the occasion; for the
young couple had decided TO set out on a
trip to Europe at once.
| Ralnh was in paradise. That signi.