The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-05-06
against the accepted order OF things.

| SaTeLl
The name slipped unconsciously from
his lips, and he drew nearer to her. She
averted her head and answered in the
tone of one measuring her-words care
fully.
THE degree Of my liking depends
upon yourself"
Brian was evidently not we'll satisfied
with this frank admission.
You couldn't like me we'll enough to
be my wife?" he persisted, drawing more
closely to her and, endeavoring to take
her hand, an action she resolutely op-
posed.
DO you mean what you say?" she
said, in slightly repressed voice, con-
scious Of something wanting In his man
ner.
He hesitated at her words.
do I mean that I love you? Yes,
Margaret, do, from the first moment
saw you. II could only make you
understand my position, my longing to
win your love and make you my wife.
| But"
His pause was eloquent.
| But WHAT" she repeated, in quick,
changed voice.
why, how you look at me, Mar
garrett"
At this complaint she turned her face
aside and allowed her eye to follow the
motion Of bird.
you see, he went on, more at ease in
the absence of those searching gray
eyes, marriage between US is quite out
Of the question. If you we're"
If we're rich, I suppose, you mean,
she interrupted, in a somewhat hard
voice; "but, admitting I'm poor, what
them"
You must see how it Is; we couldn't
live on two thousand year.
And your profession" she supple
mented. 1T seems to me you might be
much worse off. Any one with an econ
omicaS Surn-"
II hate people with an economical
turn, and don't intend to work myself
to death trying to cure lot Of migrate
full people, My first years allowance
won't much more than pay my debts.
must have money. A gentleman Is
obliged to live in certain style"
"Oh, dare say, even If he sacrifices
everything else in the effort. You love
me, but you love money better. Have
I stated the case correctly"
He glanced at her cold, impenetreble
face.
How hard you are, Margaret" he
said, reproachfully. You don't under
stand the difficulty. Love in a cottage
is well enough in theory, but no fun in
practice. I could not be happy under
such circumstances. love you dearly,
and if only had little money, I should
like nothing better than to marry you"
Thanks" was the quiet reioinder.
Your assurance is quite consoling, but
I don't believe I quite appreciate the
honor you would confer upon me. OF
course the idea Of my possible objection
has not entered your mind. Under the
circumstances may regard your loss as
my gain"
How truly his loss was her gain she
did not pause to reflect.
you are excellent at sarcasm,' he re-
Joined with reproach. Il was only
speaking Of my wishes. If you had
told me two weeks ago, how thoroughly
you despised me might have been a
wiser man to-day"
Margaret understood his meaning.
She felt that he had no right to speak
to her in this way, yet his words
panied her. In Imagination she went
back to the first hour Of their meeting.
She remembered how glad she had felt
that they would be thrown together for
q short time in this quiet place. She
remembered what faith she had placed
in the existence Of those good qualities
Miss Hilton had mentioned, and what
hopeful longings and eager expecta-
tions had filled the hours of her COM
panionship with him, and now her dis
appointment was both keen and bitter.
It lent new sharpness to her answer.
You dare not blame me for any ac-
tion Of yours" she said, endeavoring to
speak quietly. II have endured your
company. Could I do otherwise? You
have tried to win my affection by all the
arts in your power. suppose you found
the pastime amusing. and probably you
imagined that you had 90 far succeeded,
that if it suited your pleasure to honor
ME with proposal Of marriage, would
accept 1t with thanks. hope you have
discovered your mistake. I would not
marry you to save myself from starva-
ton. You have insulted me quite
enough"
Not insulted. Margaret, 4" he said, re-
proachfully, looking into her passionate
face. Believe me, I have intended no
insult. !. respect and admire you too
much, and love you far more than I
can ever love my cousin. Yet, have
no alternative. 1 must marry her or
starve."
Margaret's lips moved. She was about
to make an angry rejoinder, but with an
effort she controlled the impulse.
you will starve royalty" she said,
somewhat bitterly. Il consider marry
ing for money contemplate. You have
different views. We have learned some
thing new Of each other. Money stands
above love in your estimation. You
cannot forego the luxuries Of life for the
sake of one you pretend to love with
such devotedness. Now, If loved a
man," she continued, with O slight
tremor in her quiet voice, Il would sac
rihce my fondest desires for his sake.
In poverty or wealth, he would be
equally dear would count no econ
omy mean, no labor lost, that could con-
tribute to his comfort or happiness. Dis.
grace might come between US, but pow
erty never. You know that money can
not buy happiness. The desire for it's
acquisition is the meanest Of all ambi'
tions. If should marry q man for his
possese.ots merely, would desplse my
self heartily and thoroughly. Oh, why
have you disappointed me2"
The words escaped her almost un-
consciously, and their mingled pain and
regret surprised even herself. But
Brian did not hear them. he was too
deeply engrossed with bis own thoughts,
tno b,,-t &c >Ioin