The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-02-01

lllllAsalIlAHay
OF tine reason, but not ali, I think. You
know he is infatuated with some woman
beneath him in position, but will tell
you all now that you are one OF Us. .
Sae added these last words with de-
ncious shyness, and could but kiss
her bushes. She continued:
'.sI know, If not all, at least more
than any one else, for George has made
me his confdanss, and have stood up
for him against my fatSsr and mother,
who are naturally very angry with
him; for, after all. the girl is servant,
and we have always had such high
ideals Of the wife George would bring
home to Us. This is how it all came
aboat Last year George went fishing
with friend to a picturesque village
ON the Wye. Il was little better than
clusser Of houses, half dozen miles
away from the nearest railway station,
and the only accommodation was to be
had at the village inn, which stood ON
the banks Of the river The only other
visitor there was a lady, who Kept
closely to her room and who they heard
was an artist. They only met her casual
II in the inn, and she excited very lit
tie interest in George SO long as his
friead was with him.
ssWhen he was left alone, however,
George, out of sheer curiosity, and hay
ing nothing better to do when not fish
ing, tried to find out more about her,
and it was not very difficult for him to
become acquainted with her. She was
not very well off, it appears, and was
painting Christmas cards and doilies
and doing fancy work to exc out her in
come. George could not very well ask
at first why she was there, but he gath
cred she had an unhappy home life and
was trying to earn her own living. As
the days passed on they became better
acquainted, and George ended by being
hopelessiy in love with her. he told me
that much as she seemed to enjoy his
society she never encouraged anything
mors than ordinary friendship, and
when he attempted to say more than
this would warrant she stopped him at
once. Poor boy, he must have been very
/ far gone, and one evening he would not
be gainsaid. He confessed to her how
much he loved her, and begged her to
marry him. She was awfully kind to
him. bus he told me she wonld not say
anything.
8. Tomorrow ] will give you my
answer she said. George went away
frorn her IN a state OF blissful suspense.
As she had not said NO his hopes
were raised; but when morning came
she had gone She had packed up her
things in the nighttime and had gone
by tha early morning train, leaving no
address or cIew as to her whereabouts.
There was note for George. he open
ed is eagerly, but it simply contained
the words: 'Goodby. 'Tis better SO.
George was almost heartbroken. He
tried to follow her, and, indeed. traced
her to the neighboring junction, but
there all clew was lost He was an Mt
ter wreck when he came home, and one
evening, IN a burst of hopelessness, ne
told me all about her. Of course I was
terribly sorry for him, and / must con-
fess my sympathies were drawn toward
the woman The months passed and
George could not get over it, but he
had long ago given mp all hope of seeing
her again. One night he burst into my
room in a flush of excitement.
ss Mabel, I have seen her again.
have seen herr
s.Poor boy! He looked so happy l
could not but be glad for his sake.
g Tell me all about it.
Sc I saw her ON the top of bus, Of
all places. We were sitting next to one
another. It was dark. l didn't notice
her, but she knew me. felt my neigh
Dor edging away from me and noticed
her head turned in the opposite direc-
ticn. This aroused my curiosity. I
obliged her to turn, and there she was
my darlingr And George, quite over
come with emotion, buried his face IN
his hands and wept like child.
" She got down at Hyde park cor
ner, he went on. begged me to leave
her. but wouldn't was not going to
lose her again when I had only just
found her. I made her tell me where
she was living before / would go. She
is And George hesitated.
'Well:'. said interrogatively.
" She is lady's maid at Spiegelei-
sens.
"...Ohl' said, and I'm afraid ] shud-
dered. It was not only that she was
servant that made my heart sink in dis
may, but because I felt she had been
sailing under false colors when George
first naet her He had told me she was
lady, and her conduct at the inn had
confirmed it, but now felt she was a
sham and that Georges passionate love
had been given to probable adven-
turess.
81 tried to convince him Of this. but
he was 30 Infatuated with her that he