Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-07-08

it would be proper for me to come in
person"
"For me, Mr.. Rhodes? the attach
ment for me?"
"As / was saying, Miss Morgan, the
attachment I have; and I felt 1t q
matter of delicacy to come in person,
thinking that my own means might be
considered, if there was any deficiency
in the value Of this property"
"Mr. Rhodes, you seem to be rather
enigmatical."
"I, nevertheless, said Mr.. B.,
smean to speak very plainly when /
say that with reference to this attach
ment, Miss Morgan, should You honor
me SO far as SO accept my profession,
my pecuniary means would be devoted
to the-to the attachment.
"I was" said Miss Morgan, "wholly
unprepared for this."
stI was afraid that was the case, "
said Mr.. Rhodes, ''and therefore /
thought it more delicate to$make the
offer in person.
"You are very considerate, MT.
Rhodes"
Sam I, then, to understand, Miss
Morgan, that my proposition is agree
able to your" In other words, that it
is accepted?"
"Mr. Rhodes" said the lady, with
much hesitation, 81 must claim q little
time to think of it,"
SCI will call, then, on my return
from the village beyond"
''1Iet me ask little more time, :"
said she; "say next week.
sMiss Morgan, said Mr.. Rhodes,
Ythe matter requires immediate an
swer the attachment is of an old date,
and time now is everything. My feel.
ings are deeply interested; and may 1
not hope that while you are using 80
short time to consider subject
which you are pleased to view as OF
such great delicacy with regard to
yourself, you will allow my feelings to
weigh with you in deciding in favor of
my proposition, which, I assure you,
is made after due deliberation upon
my ability 10 perform my pert Of the
contract"
Mr.. Rhodes then took his leave. as
tonished at his own yolubility, which,
indeed, nothing could have induced
but his desire to relieve one 80 much
esteemed as Miss Morgan from pres
ent embarrassment.
Mr.. Rhodes drove to neighboring
place, deeply occupied with his good
purposes toward Miss Morgan, satis-
flying himself that the pecuniary sac
gifce he had proposed was due to his
untold and unknown affection for her,
and not beyond his means.
Miss Morgan felt q renewal of sll
those feelings which had rather been
dormant than quenched IN her bosom,
and desired the advice of her married
sister, who was unfortunately absent.
That Mr.. Rhodes had once felt q
strong attachment to her, she could
not doubt; that he had continued to
cherish, as she had done, the recipro-
csl feeling, she had not ventured to
hope. But as it was evident that the
proposition of Mr.. Rhodes was not
from any sudden impulse, Miss Nor
gan resolved to signify her assent to a
proposition 80 worthy of considera-
tion on all accounts.
In less than two hours Mr.. Rhodes
drove up to the door again, fastened
his horse, and was readmitted to the
little back parlor, which she had oc.
cupied in an earlier part Of the day.
s'Miss Morgan" said Mr.. Rhodes,
"before receiving your answer, which
trust you are prepared to give in
favor of accepting my proposals, 1
wish to state to you that 1 have con-
sidered all the circumstances Of my
situation and yours. and find myself
better able, from some previously un-
considered matters, to keep my part
of the arrangement than thought my
self, when I ventured to make the
offer; /; 80 that the kindness, if you will
have that word used in this matter,
is oil on your side"
"Under present circumstances-I
mean those OF our long acquaintance
and our family intercourse, though of
late rather interrupted" said Miss
Morgan, "and my right, by years (she
added, casting glance at looking.
glass that showed only matured wo-
manhood), to speak for myself, have
concluded to consider your proposal
tavorably."
"Consider! Miss Morgan, consider
favorablyl May not hope you mean
that you will accept IL"
Miss Morgan gave no answer.
s'Nay, then it is accepted, said Mr..
Rhodes, with a vivacity that Miss Nor
gan thought would have brought him
to her lips-her hand, at least.
"How happy you have made me, I"
said Mr.. Rhodes; ''haying now dis
posed of this matter, there are ten
days allowed"
ssThat's very Short" said Miss Nor
gan; "only ten days; you seem to be
in haste unusual to you at least"
'sIt is the attachment, and not 1,
that is imperative.
"You speak rather abstractedly, Mr..
Rhodes.
"But truly, very truly, Miss Nor
gan."
"But why limit us to ten days."
"The attachment requires it,"
"I thought" said she, smiling, 'tthe
attachment would be for life."
Mr.. Rhodes looked exceedingly con-
fused. At length he started suddenly
toward the lady.
"My dear Miss Morgan, is it pos
sihAe that for once in my life, I have
blSndered into the right path2 Gan I
have been 80 fortunately miscon-
ceived?"
.If there is any mistake" said Miss
Morgan, "I hope il will be cleared up
Immediately. I can scarcely think
that Mr.. Rhodes would intentionally
offend an unprotected orphan. the
| -. 4