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

@ g.: :;;;::|; !: $:
.:Sls@\ cashier of tn 9
~.SaNAa@ First National
Bank.
Lila was both young and pretty, and,
:s the bank was just around the cor
Fer from the seminary, it often hap
pened that Mr.. Harrington walked
home from school with her, to the un-
disguised chagrin of her lover, John
Cunningham.
He met them one afternoon in Feb
ruary. slipping along over the icy
pavement, and talking gaily together.
John had gone out of his way on
purpose to walk home with Lila, but
came too late; and, when he met her,
half o block from the seminary, lean
ing on Farrington's arm, he passed on
with bow that was very stiff and for
lnal.
'sConfound the fellowl" he muttered,
as he glanced back at Farrington's
stylish figure. "What does Lila mean
by letting him dance attendance on
her every day?"
The cashier Of the First National
wore on this occasion q handsome
brown chinchilla overcoat and a stylish
Derby hat. In one hand he carried q
cane with q head of beaten silver.
.sThe fooli" John muttered. with
more force than elegance; but Mr..
Thorndycl Harrington was just then
oblivious to epithets.
When John called that evening, Lila
knew In minute that he was out of
sorts.
'sSse here, my little girl" he said,
,soberly, tT wish you wouldn't let that
fellow, Harrington, walk home with
yon 90 much"
Nov, John, don't be silly!"
81 don't like him, Lila. Besides, 7
wouldn't want any man to walk home
with You 40 much as he does" \
"Well, John Cunningham, if you
aren't perfectly absurdr'
sTdont think am" he said, flush
ing deeply. ''Some one asked me this
morning Why I'd let that fool of Far
ripgton cut me out. don't like such
innuendoes, Lila"
"What perfect nonsense, john"
Nonsense or not, I don't like it,"
.he said, with some spirit LILA, I
am going away tomorrow, and T want
You TO promise me that you won't al
low Harrington to walk home with ysu
any more.
s.Yon are going away tomorrow,
Johni" she echoed. "To Washing
toni.
Yes" he said. slipping his arm
around her. 81 am going tomorrow,
darling,-to be gone two months, per-
haps. But If I succeed in thts under
taking, Lila, there will be an end to
all this weary waiting, and We can be
married at once!"'
"Humph~ she said, saucily. lit
takes two to make . bargain.
'tYes-but we two are one! Don't
tribe with me, Lila. I can't bear it.
This hope hes too near my heart"
''I did not mean to trife, John"
'I don't think you ever mean to
hurt me-" he said, gravely; ''but some
times You do. I know I am jealous,
Lila, but I can't help it. 1t is all in
vain that I strive against it, and when
/ think of that fellow Harrington, l.
1t makes me wretched"
"But what can I do, John? I can't
insult the man by telling him he can't
walk with me-"
"Your woman's wit will serve You,
Lila. I never saw a girl yet that
couldn't get rid of an admirer, if she
saw fit"
''But suppose I don't want to get
rid of him?"
"Lilar'
''well, John? 1 think you might
trust me more"
II DO trust you. But I tell you it
makes me unhappy to see you with
that fellow, and I think that ought to
be sufficient"
81 suppose I might go home the
back way" she said, musingly.
IF you did several times, he would
soon see that you were trying to avoid
him."
But, John, the,back way is hor-
ridl"
He took her pretty, perverse little
face between his hands, and lifted it
so that he could look right down into
her eyes.
Dazzling" he said, softly, edo it
just to please me. -