The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-12-02
"Well Will But YOU'RE a perfect

"Well, will! But you're perfect
tyrant, John Cunningham"
"And you are an angel" he cried,
rapturously. ''Lila, you shall never
regret the little things you do to
please me. They make me love You
all the more"
John went to Washington the fol-
| lowing morning. Two weeks dragged
themselves away, and then something
unexpected happened to shorten his
sojourn in Washington. His purpose
was accomplished with less difficulty
than he had anticipated, and in full
realization of his fond hopes, he hurried
back to Lila.
He had not written her, because he
wanted to take her by surprise, and
she never dreamed of his coming.
1t was rather late one evening when
he ran up the steps and pulled the
] bell.
There was bright light in the par
lor, and john leaned over to peep
through the lace curtains into the
room.
"Pshaw!" he exclaimed, with much
vexation as he saw agentlemaa sitting
with his back toward the window.
There's somebody there! I'll so right
on up to the sitting-room."
The door was opened by little col
ored girl, who was the only servant
that the Weirs kept.
"Hush-sh" John said, warningly,
as he stepped into the hall. Don't
tell any one I ana here. Katie"
The little girl retired under cover OF
q broad grin.
"I wonder who is in therer' John
said, reaectively, rs he stepped up to
the hat-rack to identify the hat and
overcoat that were hanging there.
There was q cane with beaten-sil'
yer head lying across the top OF the
rack, and under it brown overeoat
hanging beside a Derby hat.
Johns face changed its expression,
as he took down the hat, and saw IN.
side of it an embroidered band
marked, CT. w. F."
"Thorndyek Farringten" he NUT
tered, with quick resentment, and just
then he heard Lila's voice raised to q
key somewhat higher than ordinary.
"John is SO fearfully jealous" she
said. "I don't know what to do with
him."
"Why do you put up with it?" was
the query, in lower tone. Il cannot
bear to see you subject to the will OF
such o man, darling. Iwish you would
let me put stop to it'll"
"I am going to write to him myself" "
said Lila. 'T can't stand it any longer.
I have fully made up my mind to break
off our engagement"
John heard this; but he heard no
more. The floor seemed to heave like
the waves of the ocean; the light In
the hall grew suddenly dim, and he
gasped for breath.
His first instinct was to get out OF the
house. He staggered toward the door,
and down the steps, like drunken
man.
"What was that?" Lila exclaimed,
as she heard the front door bang.
She started up and peeped out into
the hall, but no one was visible.
st guess it was the wind" she OBJ
served, as she went back to her seat;
and Johns brief visit was not dis
covered.
But the next day there came to her
q note, saying:
take this opportunity OF releasing you
from an engagement which has grown irk-
you will, Mr.. Thorndyck Harrington not
excepted. May you have more happiness
than you deserved lido not fancy the role
of hood winked husband. Thank heaven
found you out-before It was too late.
JOHN CUNNINGHAM.
In the afternoon John was sitting
in his office, trying to make up his
mind whether he would 60 to Panama
or Alaska; all he knew was that he
could not stay where he was.
As he sat there, with his dull gaze
fixed upon the floor, Harry Weir came
in, looking flushed and indignant.
.'See her, Cunningham" he said,
laying his right hand roughly on
Johns shoulder. "what the deuce do
you mean by acting in this way. What
right had you to send such note to
Lila?"
John struggled to his feet, and threw
off Harry's hand.
Because, he said, bitterly. 'your
sister is heartess, unprincipled
firtw
"You're liar" Harry cried, hotly.
and with one stout blow he sent John
staggering back over the chair, which
fell to the floor with crash, and John
on top Of it.
With one faint cry that was half a
groan. John fell back in limp, sense
less heap upon the floor.
As Harry saw John lying there,