The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-09-18

in fumbling, bewildered fashion that
this was state of affairs of which
he had often sanguinely. dreamed-but
never, heaven, no!-never with such I'M
heard-of precipitancy. Garden was even
then exceptionally wealthy, and with
his tireless devotion to money-getting
no man might estimate what would be
the end. His own (the major's) af-
fairs were in rather precarious con-
dition, although few knew of it. And,
indeed, he had closed the city house.
sold the country place and sent Alice.
off for a protracted visit with his de-
ceased wife.s relations in England, III
order that he might get Q breathing
space in which, If possible, to retrieve
his declining fortunes. He had always
had Garden in his minds eye for Alice.
for he had always admired the fellows
sterling qualities. Then the girl had
always entertained q fondness for Gar
den, looking upon him since child.
hood with the veneration and conf
dence Of brother--for she had no
brother herself. The major had cer-
tainly expected they would marry in
moments of exaltation; but what nom
sense to think DIT such a proceeding!
What would the world say?
At this period Of his reflections Oliver.
returned with Alice upon one arm and
his wife upon the other. Jack himself
was smiling blandly, Mrs. Oliver seemed
somewhat amused, but Alice was pic
ture Of lovliest indignation.
She addressed herself first to the ma
jor:
..AIy dear father, hope you do not
believe / could have been so absurd"
HIM. said the major, in which utter
ance there lowered the very ghost Of an
infection of disappointment. Il
thought you did not consent, certainly.
How could think otherwise? But that
fact does not reflect upon Percy's
theories. think they are very admira-
ble.''
Garden thrust his fob into his pocket.
'sOh, dear!" said he. Il see one has
to be conventional 1t is part of the
primordeal curse!"
This remark of Gardens seemed to
have the effect of dispensing the little
party; perhaps on account of its embar
RAISING pathos. Again it may have been
a conspiracy or merely desire to avoid
the scene which Alice's cold impersonal
glances toward Percy very surely indi-
Gated. Her eyes were upon the car
pet when the others stole quietly out.
Che Il er, i N. f,,,, ;+e H., So
let flowers the secret fires of her scorn
under which Garden must presently
vince. When at length she looked up
and found the others were gone-all save
PeIcy-a singular look of helplessness
came into her eyes. Instinctively tit
must have been) they sought Garden.
He was still sitting with his face buried
in his hands. WELL" she said, to her.
self, 'how lonely he must be after ALT"
just then Garden looked up.
The action was fatally exact. A mo-
ipent later, moment sooner and all
might have been different, PERHAPS.
Garden seemed conscious of its fatcfrl
opportuneness, nor was he slow to tails
advantage of 1t. Hurrying over to Alice
he caught her hands impulsiyely willis
she was still in that dawnlike thrau
when woman's mystic self is revealed
to her for the first time absolutely.
''0h," said she, dazedly, drawing
away from him. You were not in earn
est, Percy?"
.'No, perhaps not. Alice; but what
matters it? We have but taken time by
the forelock. haven't we, dearest?"
The rest is conventional. 1t was the
cid, old story and Percy's pseudo-com-
mercinl compact was sealed after a
fashion that may be traced back 10 the
| beginning of things.