The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-04-25
CHAPTER u-(Continued)
THE BROTHERS.

Walter suddenly became conscious that
he had. gone too far. It was not often
that the we'll bred and quiet Ralph dis
played any Violent exhibition OF anger,
and his brother involuntarily recoiled a
step. With gesture Of impatience he
threw away his half-consumed cigarette,
and again seated himself on the sofa.
~For heavens sake, don't lose your
temper, Ralph" he. said, anxious to
pacify him. aI have not the slightest
wish to hurt your feelings or those Of
the lady. ! simply wish to call your at
tention to the incongruities that such q
nnion would involve.
Walters conciliatory manner had the
intended effect. Ralph became quieter,
and resumed his seat in the rocking chair
81 cannot see any incongruities, he
replied. @Miss Lyon is my equal IN
everything bat wealth and social posi-
zion. Both these can give her. In
fact, I sometimes doubt, the admirlne
lover added, @whether am worthy OF So
rich prize as that talented, pure, beau
tiful girl" ..-... ....
3And do you see no difficulties at all in
y9ur path? How about the prejudices ot
society?" 1870. =.
xHsng the prejudices of society. lam
net man to be bound by the narrow
conceptions of old maids.
sEnd do you think that our mother
will give her eonsent?"
Il hope she win. should be very
sorry to take such an important step
against her will But If she should
prove to be more narrow-minded than ]
conceive her to be, we'll, there is no help
for It I am resolved to marry Miss
Lyon, even If it were at the risk of dis.
inheritance" 81 :. IS r.
Rslph had become quite enthusiastic
In his speech. He had jumped up from
his chair and uttered the last sentence
while in some excitement pacing to and
fro.
>, His last remark, with the allusion to a
possible disinheriting of Mrs Warning
hams eldest son, presented the matter to
Walter in an entirely new light. He had
not thought of this contingency be-
fore. When he had first heard Of
Halph's intention to parry an act
ress he only felt the blow to his
family pride. He had come to show his
anger and modification, and, if possible,
to reason his brother out Of what he con-
-sidered preposterous folly. Now the
matter had quite different aspect.
When the father OF the two young
gentlemen died, more than fifteen years
ago, he had left his whole fortune to his
widow. Consequently his sons were,
financially, entirely dependent on their
mother, unless, indeed, they were to
earn their own living, course to which
Walter had most decided aversion.
The fortune which Mr.. Warringham had
left was large, indeed, but not large
enough to afford the means Of keeping
two houses in the style which Mrs War.
r,ngham affected When it came to q
division Of the assets at their mothers
death, after liberal provision had been
made for Miss Bcckford, who was re-
garded as child Of the family, the two
brothers would not be very rich after ALL
But II Ralph was disinherited and Walter
made the sole heir? Then he would be
enabled to lead just the sort of life he
fancied. Unlimited means at his com.
1nand, yachts, horses, wine. women
All this flashed through Walters min6
rs he was lying on the sofa, with hi:
eyes following mechanically the move
ments of his brother who was still con
Mo CANSSSo WAN u T. AlA uO"L
the room.
IfWalter had any conscientious scru
pies Of taking advantage Of his brother!
error, he knew how to answer them
Was not Ralph himself at fault if any sucl
disaster should overcome him? Did ht
not intend to bring disgrace upon him
self and his family, and was he not de-
serving of severe punishment? Thus
Walter Warringham reasoned with him.
self, and presently became convinced
that he had no cause to object more than
for forms sake to the proposed marriage
of the Doctor with an actress. He be-
came further convinced that Ralph, IN
ease he actually committed his otfense
deserved to Ee punished by being dlsln'
herited. and that it was the part OF a
dutiful son and worthy spriS OF the
proul house of Warringham to let his
mother Ciew the matter IN the same
tight. This he at once resolved to do.
There was in such a perfidious course
another particular pleasure to his selhst