The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-03-23

flslDK. = we nave Deeu uere ai lhiIhoneo
time. Agnes-Mrs. Sbiriey-will be
wondering what has become of rs. &c."
regarding him steadily, will Miss
Morland."
"Let her wonder. Besides. she has
forgotten us by this time in the delight
of Lord T%ottenham's society. / wonder
what she sees in that old fossil? For my
part I'm always thinking when with
him of what I don't see-hair, teeth,
etc."
"she is very kind to him, poor old
man."
"And amiability is her strong point.
How many charms you have discovered
in her OF late"
II don't think you ought to speak Of
her like that says the girl, turning
upon him with q little flash in her love-
ly eyes. "You shouldn't criticise her"
"Why not? 1 certainly shan't be able
to criticise her next month, SO / may .as
we'll make the most of my time now
Next month"-slowly, and almost def.
antly-"I shall be tho blessed proprietor
Of Mrs. Brooke, and it is not permissi-
BILE to oritioise ones own wife, whatever
you may do with regard to your
friends"
He has spoken deliberately and with
seeming ~unconcern, though in truth his
heart is torn in two by a very passion
of despair and regret. They are both
standing, but she has turned sharply
aside and has SO placed herself that he
canno see her face. He had meant to
provoke some word from her, and her
silence maddens him.
"What arc you thinking OFF, asks no
angrily, going up to her and compelling
her to return his gaze.
She has grown very pale, but she
meets his eyes without 1inching.
Nothing" says she in II tone out
of which all her courage cannot keep
the sound Of dcsolation.
"a woman's answer. l know what
you were thinking of for all that-that
there Is no more dcspicaOlo thing on
earth than a man who marries u woman
for her money. Yet what was l to do?
Was the old namo to be forever lower
ed? A title-and $500 a year-how do
they 60 together? Money I felt that L
must have, and when it came my way I
took it. Do yen think 1 don't care
now? But the thing is done. And my
uncle-that old man-he is a perfect
"o'ttS AS WALL Wv OOIlblI LII Ill., i ALI
tied-am bound"
eyes" says she simply. She has
taught herself indeed to regard it in
this light. OF very old family herself,
the demands Of race seem natural to
her. To give up all for the sake Of the
old name-that has reason in it-but
that it should be they two who must
give up-that seems hardl
"Why don't you speak?" says he
harshly. "You despise me-; you
Think
II think nothing but what is kind of
you," says she, her voice trembling,
but her face full of a gentle dignity. 81
do not despise you. Why should I? /
think you are doing right. When an old
title comes to one, it should DO regarded
as a sacred charge, and you--you meant
to do the best you could for it. You
will be able, i'll spite of your uncle, to
keep up the old namo''-
ooh, d-n the old namel' inter-
rupts he ~passionately, with q deep
groan. He has spoken very low certain
ly-and certainly it seems as though
the word had been forced from him
against his will-but Dorothy, hearing
this terrible speech, grows dumb. To SO
denounce the "old name!'' She pauses,
gazing at him as if thunderstruck.
II beg your PARDON says he mood.
ly. Why has she taken it all so much
for granted? Is there no loophole of es-
cape? If she had cared as much as he
does, would she have been so ready to
acknowledge the claims of the "old
Manner" "Doyo never think, Dorothy, >
says he slowly, 'of how it might have
been if-if'-
With q little swift. imperative gesture
she puts up her hand and checks him.
Her very lips arc white. Her large eyes
grow suddenly larger MS cruel, smarting
tears fill them. Even as Brooke gazes
at her, two bright drops overflow her
lids and run quickly down her pale
cheeks.
"Dorothyl' says he, making a move
ment toward her.
"No, no. Don't mind mel" says she
bravely, repulsing him with eager
hands. "You are doing what is best for
you, indeed, and-and nfte1ward yo,,
will be glad that Yes''-nervously--
"and besides''-
"Oh, that will do" says he bitterly.
"Why should you trouble yourself to
try and reconcile mo to my fate? 1 dare
say there are worse things that might
befall a man than having to accept Il
fortune"
II wish" says she in a heartbroken
voice, THAT you would try to be a little
happy about it,"
"Is there anything else you wish?"
says he, pushing off his arm the little
friendly hand she has placed upon it.
"Happy, after ALL" throwing up his
head. with a short laugh. "Why not2''
"Why not indecd?" sadly. ''This is
only a moments folly on your part.
Every other day you are as merry as the
best of us. Tomorrow you will be your,
self again"
"How you have studied mo? You arc
right. l am the most frivolous, the
most light hearted, of my sex. Some,
times" says he. laughing again, "I'm
so happy that I wish Ho pauses.
"Yes?"
THAT / was dead!' says he, with
such q sudden, vehement change from
affected carelessDess to honest misery
that her heart dies within her. Fear
takes possession Of her.
ooh, mol Oh, nor cries she, her
voice dying away i'll q sob. Instructive.
ly she moves toward him, his arms
open. In q moment ho is lying OH his
breast.