Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-01-22

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shone brilliant something, which
almost looked like q challenge. To
meet that look from such quar-
ter, and not to feel the pulse quicken
and the heart leap, would have de-
mapded superhuman restraint. Ronald
Armleigh had many fine qualities, but
restraint of this description was not
among them. He was clearly being
fascinated by this new development in
Alice's charms.
What "peopIe" say is not always OF
much moment. They arc given to
speaking without knowledge and eriti-
cising without Judgment. But what
"people" said upon this particular
matter did have some groundwork OF
reason and good sense. They asserted
that if Alice Baines had taken this line
in the first instance, nobody could
have found fault with her. 1t would
then nave resolved itself into a
contest between the two sisters for
a prize to which neither had greater
claim than the other. But to have
acted as she had done, to have taken
no pains originally to strengthen her
hold upon Armleigh, to have let her
childish sisters affections become deep
ly engaged with him, and then, when
he was on the point of making that
childish sister happy by declaration,
to use every effort to draw him back
to hergelf-at the risk of wrecking
poor Bob's happiness, and. perhaps,
breaking her heart-why, tins was as
cruel thing as jealousy, in its most
extreme form, could devise. Such
conduct toward friend would have
been odious; toward sister it was
shameful, objectionable. Heaven
grant the effect might meet with that
failure which it handsomely merited!
Heaven, however, did not grant it.
The effort proved successful. Bob's
white face and miserable expression
betrayed that, long before Armleigh,s
engagement to Alice was announced,
Bob's little dream of happiness was
over. Alice had dissipated it finally
and forever. But twas not merely
the loss of her lover. though this WAS
chief, but also her sisters conduct in
the matter, which cut Bob to the
heart. Until this unhappy affair, Bob
had experienced nothing save the ten
derest kindness, the most caresslng
care, from Alice. And then--on
sudden-to be SO treated by her, it was
as incomprehensible as it was un-
natural and cruel.
Only once had Bob ventured on a
timid remonstrance. Alice had an
swered her thus. hardly, and almost
with scorn:
"Why were you not happy and con-
tent with Gerald? Gerald is far more
suited to you than Ronald Armleigh.
You would never have made Ronald
happy"
Bob mad burst into tears at this un-
feeling retort, and, without apology or
any attempt at solace, Alice had LETT
the room. No other word on the sub
ject passed between them.
The Gerald of whom Alice had
spoken was an old admirer of childish
Bob's, and, until Armleigh's appear
ance, had been that young lady's first
fsvorite. He lacked all Armleigh's
brilliance of manner and distinction
of bearing. AS love maker he was
his hopeless inferior. Many people
called him stupid. That he was not.
If rather slow of speech and silent of
temperament he had plenty of good
sound sense, and, withal, possessed a
kind, true heart and loyal disposition,
which far outweighed his external dis
qualifications. Everyone could see
that he was devoted to Bob. Bobh had
liked, had even been very fond of him.
She might, perhaps, have thonght that
she loved him, had not Ronald Arm
leigh taught her what love really was.
But now her eyes were opened. She
knew love now. She knew, also-how
many have known it thus?-that with
the loss of her beloved had gone from
her the capacity of that first sweet
sentiment; that Its sublime inspira-
tions, its deep intensity, its pure de-
light, would never throb in her quick
ened pulses again.
Bob did not feel bitter against her
sister. She scarcely felt indignant;
she was simply crushed and broken.
All who saw her hollow eyes, her sad
face, her dispirited bearing, were
struck with pity for the poor child.
Alice alone remained obdurate, and,
so far as could be seen, unfeeling. 1t
was unlike what Alice had ever been
before. until this miserable affair. But
her obduracy was easily explained,
Those of us who have wronged our
dear ones are the last to betray pity
for them in their sufferings. For those
very suferings are our own condemna-
ton. Anlwe, therefore, concern our
selves to make as light of them as pos
sible.
The wedding was solemnized before
q very small company, consisting
chiefly of the bridegroom's relations.
On Alice's side only an aunt or two,
and Bob-poor Bob-were present.
The ceremony was cold, stiff and, if
the truth must be told, gloomy. That
was scarcely wonderful. Bob, indeed,
tried hard to hide her misery. But
those wan smiles were only the more
melar ,holy for the attempt, and her
very presence was spectre at the
feast.
People said that, if there was such
thing as Providence in this world of
ours, Alice would never find happiness
in her union with Armleigh, which she