The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-12-02

"No, not so bad as tnat, Dut II IN
ugly sprain. It may be months"
Lila heard no more. She he'd dashed
past, and was kneeling down beside
her lovers bed.
John, john" she sobbed. II am
so sorry"
As he opened hi, eyes a slight spasm
crossed his face.
Against his will the look Of love came
back, and he murmured:
Lila"
Her arms were about him in an
instant.
"John, DEAR" she cried, burying
her face in the pillows, while she shook
with convulsive sobs, 'you did not
mean it, did you?"
<'Did you mean it, Lila?" he said,
gravely.
Ibid mean what?"
"What you said to Mr.. Harrington
last night. Twas in the hall, Lila, and
heard you"
John. dear, you are certainly
dreaming"
"No," he said, turning away his
head, with look of pain. II meant
to surprise you, and I slipped into the
hall. II heard what you said about
me. I saw Farrington's overcoat on
the rack. Oh, Lila! why did you de-
ceive me?"
"John," she said, impressively, II
do not understand o word of this!"
"Thorndyck Harrington called upon
you last night, Lila"
"He did notl''
"I saw his cane and overcoat in the
hall!'
"John" she cried, with a sudden
inspiration, "did that mislead you?
That was his hatand oYercoat. he
and Harry went skating night before
last, and Harry got into an air-hole.
You have misjudged Thorndyck, John.
He saved Harry's life, and because
Harry was all wet he loaned my
brother his hat and overcoat to wear
home. As for the cane, he made Harry
a present of that week ago."
"Then he wasn't at your house last
night?" John said, family.
"No; I have not seen him since you
went away"
"But heard you say"
"What did you hear, John?"
''You said, John is SO fearfully
jealous. I don't know what to do with
him! You said more, too. I don't
remember the words, only you de-
clared that you we're going to break of
your engagement with me. and"
A joyous laugh rippled from Lila's
lips, but she checked it as she remem-
bered Johns condition.
dearest" she whispered, bending
over him till her soft cheek pressed
against his bearded one, ST was read
ing aloud. will show you the book
in which those very words occur.
Harry took cold, in spite of all pre-
cautions, and the doctor ordered him
to stay in the house. I amused him
by reading aloud last night. You for
got that I was teacher of elocution.
Like Mr.. Orator Puff, I have two
tones to my voice One is up, SO,
the other down, so. Oh, John, dear
John! Did you really think I was
saying oil that?"
"Of course I did" he answered,
tremulously, and then he folded his
arms around her, while his tears wet
her glossy hair.
DARLING" she said when she had
let him hold her there in silence for
long, long time, ''never doubt me
again, no matter what happens.
81 never will," he answered, SOL
cmnly. Il ought to have gone right
to you for IN explanation. My jealous
nature made me the easy victim of a.
mistake. o., Lila! If I had lost you
by my own pr ecipitancy!
"What if had lost your" she said,
with shudder. "And Harry, through
your death!'
'aThank God, there is no danger Of
that! shall get we'll, the doctor says,
and-and, Lila, I wish you would
bring Thorndyck to see me-"
Harry was discharged, of course,
and at the end of two months, John
was able to be about. Meanwhile, he
changed his opinion of the cashier of
the First National, whom he allowed
to walk home with Lila whenever dis
posed to.
But it was not very long that Lila
felt the need of an escort. She left
Madame Thouron's in May. and in
Juno she and John were married.
Harry Weir and Thorndyck Earring
ton were groomsAen at the wedding,
and they do say that the latter is 60
ing to marry Johns sister.