The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-10-09
with an air Of resignation. '"Tbere q

uiSc too.
"Good gracious!" said Mary. "1t Is
all easy enough. Describe NE her APP
pearance, character and surroundings.
Tell me what she did, and how she did
it. Then explain where the man comes
in-for there is a man in 1t, suppose"
"Oh, yes!' said. John. as decidedly as
before. '"rhere IS n man in It,"
well. what about him?" asked Mary.
Dear me. John! l might as we'll ir
vent thing myself, and have done
with it, If you can't tell me straight
OFF,"
"I'll tell your said John, with the
air of man determined to make the
plunge "Only-Mary-pro me one
thing Don't laugh at my story
Cant l laugh If it is fuuny?" re-
joined Mary.
1T isn't" said John. "Wcll. not OK
actiy. Erin fact, don't know how it
will strike you. l meant. don't laugh
at my clumsy way of telling it,
"Of course not" replied Mary, kind
ly. "And I'm sure I'm very much OBJ
liged to you, John, for taking Ill this
trouble"
Well" began John, "this girl-thc
girI' am thinking OF, you know-l!vcd
at home with her mother and sisters.
The father had died some years be-
fore. leaving just enough money to
supply their bare wants, but no more"
Il quite understand" said Mary In
tone which had Il good deal of fellow
feeling" in it.
$50, of course" went on John, life
was more or less of Il struggle with
them. But. happily. one of the girls
this special girl began to talk about
developed quite n talent for-for-'
"For WHAT" said Mary rather sharp
ly.
For painting" returned John quick
ly. "She used to paint quite lovely
little things and sell them to the shops
Yes" said Mary, but when does
the romance come in. john"
II am coming to that" replied John.
''Give me time, Mary"
"Oh, Of course" said Mary, amiably.
SO after q pause John went on again.
Years before, when these girls were
quite little. their father had shown n
great kindness to an almost friendless
boy"
Mary started and 4 faint color crCpt
into her checks; but John took no heed
and his voice became 1irmcr and clear
er.
.To the action of that good man the
boy owed whatever success came to
him In after life. He never forgot this
and he often wondered how he could
best repay the debt he owed"
John paused. but Mary did not speak.
And as the time went on he found
the debt increased rather than dimin-
ished For though his first benefactor
had passed away, he had left kindly
hearts behind him. And as the boy
grew into manhood he priced more and
more the welcome he ever received
from those good women and felt that
in the whole world there was no spot
so dear to him rs the one they called
home"
Again John paused, but Mary made
no effort to break the silence.
"IIe loved them all" said John.
"but"-here q new tenderness crept
into his vOice-'he learned at last that
for one OF them he had the love which
4 man only gives TO one woman In the
world. She was not, l think, quite
understood by her mother and sisters.
much Us they cared for her. She had
talent which she was glad to turn to
useful account. but the others hardly
realized that the task which was gen
orally pleasure might at times be-
come very hard and wearlaome. They
thought 1t was play for her TO sit down
and paint SO sometimes her heart
failed her Il little"
Mary'S face was very white now. but
the color rushed suddenly back into 1t
as John gently took her hand into his
own.
This young man loved her, Mary
loved her more dearly that l can quite
tell You. But he waited n long time
before he dared to speak to her. He
knew how much depended upon her In
the home. md he felt he had no right
to take her away until his position
would enable him to offer comfort To
her and 10 those dear to her. 1t often
seemed weary while. and his heart
often achCi Bur the time came at last.
The time when he felt free to speak"
He paused. and fo: Il few minutes
there was between them y deep silence.
Then his hand claSpcd hers more fer
vrn'ly, ana he said ''Mary"'
Az if irrcSiStihly compelled, she look
ed into his eyes. And in that moment
Il fun knowledge of what Sh" had never
before even guessed swept over her.
She knew the sweetest OF all earthly
things that she loved, and was bc-
loved.
\ on Sli