The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-06-03
VIII.-Continued.

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VIII.-Continued.
dispute the point. be-
me in your way, not a
or disinterested way.
there in S'conset. The
and lonely to you. For
ed reason you enjoyed
h thought it an excellent
try your arts Of fascina-
Fho, so far as you knew,
shplicit trust in your hon
bose. Please let me finish.
liking truth, nothing more. The
1D6e amused you and gratlfled your
vanity at the same time. You kne"
that she might learn to like you. Inere
was no reason why she might not give
her heart and her future happiness ID
your keeping. You realized this, yet
YOU stald on, still knowing yoE, had no
Intention Of marrying her. And when
YOU had tired of the diversion, you in
sulted her with a declaration OF love
and no proposal Of marriage. You
allowed a sordid motive to cheat your
heart of it's noblest instincts. You
Oh, wonder I can say SO much! There
are times when positively despise you,
and others when-I believe l am los
ing my self-respect. wish you had
never gone to S'conset."
She started from her chair and walked
to the opposite window. Her hands
trembled nervously, though her words
had not been uttered with passion, but
with O slow, deliberate emphasis that
cave them accusing force.
Brian had listened with bowed head.
Only once he had tried to interrupt her,
then she had silenced him with mo-
ton. Even after she had paused he
did not speak for some seconds.
You are hard upon me, he said, at
last. Il acted contemptibly, but won't
YOU try to think there was some little
excuse? I don't know why am such
worthless fellow. Perhaps because no
one cares whether I ever amount to
anything or not. I have not been 80
fortunate as you. You have been loved
and praised all your life. have had
disbursement and condemnation on
all sides. Perhaps I deserved so much,
but it disheartens a man to be forever
running him down"
Her face softened as she answered in
q gentler tone: They are wrong to dis
courage and condemn you. No one
knows their possibilities for good or
evil until they have been tried. There
are redeeming traits even in the worst,
and you are not one Of the worst. Your
chance is before you. want to forget
all that has happened. For your sake,
and for mine, l wish to feel" She
hesitated and her face grew crimson.
Not so much from his glance as from
the drift Of her own thoughts.
why won't you understand" she
cried, in helpless embarrassment, after
q silence that was almost felt. why
can't you comprehend that I want you
to have what belongs to your"
Il don't want it," answered Brian,
with logged resistance. The thought
of that money is always between US.
"You don't want it because you can't
have it without an incumbrance, sup
pose?"
If the incumbrance means you, Mar
garet, there is nothing I desire so much
as the incumbrance.
Then take it, please, Brian. The in
.cumbrance finds you 80 slow OF compre-
hension."
Brian was slow no longer. Margaret 8
&ueduluS udoucu upOA hiLA, oA0 "toAA -
joyful face and glad cry he started to-
ward her.
But she stopped him rather precipi-
lately with the words:
Don't be foolish, Brian, please. I
want you to understand that this Is
merely a business arrangement. We
shan't be very affectionate, but neither
need we.quarrel."
Then you wish simply to satisfy your
sense of obligation, " he said, rather rue
fully. You don't care for me the least
bit, Margaret"
IF caring for you means giving you my
heart, I can only say haven'tit to give.
I think you need not complain. Mar
riage will not make great difference in
our love. We shall always be good
friends, I hope. Are you satisfed?"
Il am happy to get you on any terms,
he responded. For no other man can
ever claim you. And maybe some day
you will learn to love me, If only a
little"
Don't delude yourself with any such
idea. That is all, I believe. Please
leave me now"
How cold and Indifferent you are, "
he said, turning to obey her request.
you make it very hard for me.
Her eyes dropped beneath the inten-
sity Of his gaze, but she made no re-
mark, and the next second he had left
her to her own thoughts,
In somewhat jubilant but rather Pc
'culiar frame Of mind he sought Miss
Hilton, and confided to her sympathetic
ear his late god fortune.
Two hours later, as Margaret sat
alone in one corner Of the veranda,
Brian stole up behind her chair, and
dropped in her lap ring of old-fashioned
design and exquisite workmanship.
Here is something prize very high
ly," he said. at belonged to my mother.
! should like to see it on your finger.
Pearls for the pearl of pearls"
His sudden appearance and unex-
pected action made her blush warmly.
Put it on for me-" she replied, rather
nervously. and holding her hand toward
aim. 4 am not sure that know the
proper finger"
A sad confession" he rejoined, ex-
periencing a keen thrill Of pleasure as
his hand touched hers. Why, it fit:
nicely and makes quite show"
1T is very beautiful" added Margaret
examining the magnificent pearls with
critical interest. How can thank you
for it"
She raised her eyes to his, but dropped
them Immediately. Something in hi:
glance sent the warm blood to her face