The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-09-20

80. stood out OF doors the night before
II left, looking over the dear old hills
) which had almost become part of my
self since my stay in Benton, and was
bidding each silent, fearful farewell,
when saw David Woolsey riding slowly
By. 7 did not wait to think, but, raising
my. finger for him to stop, ran down
through the yard into the street and
reached up my hand IN his.
seI go in the morning, David. Good
by
Have you nothing more for rae?'
ss His face grew winter than this paper
a am writing on while he spoke. hard
IL understood him, but answered:
Nothing more. May God keep you,
David Woolsey.''
He bent down until his breath foated
over my face, looked full into my eyes,
as though it were the last time-as in
deed it was for many day-tben with
q look Of such superb scorn that it thrill
ed every nerve in my body he turned
his horses head and galloped away.
H we had parted friends, believe l
oeald have borne it better, though I did
not hate him for his scorn. It was not
possible for me to. Ny love for him was
too full and perfect for that. had told
him that could bear it, and should l
allow the burden to crush me now? God
knows I was very weak.
I found Brierwood Brent quiet
home. It was a quaint, curious pile,
with its wide verandas, its odd looking
wings and its high and sharply pointed
arches I had two pupils, both little
girls, daughters of Mr.. Bethel, my en-
ployer. Details are tedious, and I will
not dwell upon them. Enough to know
that I resolutely kept the past away
from my mind and turned my attention
to the present.
I had been there about six months
when one evening there came call for
me. It was an unusual thing, for a gov
erness has few acquaintance and fewer
friends, but L did not stop to think who
it was If I had, should, suppose,
have concluded that it was some one to
see me on business, perhaps to hire a
governess or something Of the sort. 1
went directly to the parlor and found a
Mr.. Clayton there I knew him by rep
utation as an honorable and influential
man, but never spoke to him. Mrs.
Bethel met me at the door, introduced
us and leftus alone. He commenced the
conversation by saying:
Miss Hyde, do not be startled at
what am going to say. am man of
few words, and came here tonight to
ask you to be my wife. Your hand may
not be free to bestow upon any one, but
if it is have any hope?''
It was a-romantic courtship, wasn't
it, reader: did not say word for fully
five minutes, and then I said:
81 thank you, Mr. Clayton, for hon
oring me by asking for my hand. 1t is
certainly unexpected, but I have an an
swer for you. I will be yours on one
condition
t'Name ii. )"
1'That you never refer to or ask about
my past. 1t has been very bitter, and it
must slumber in its grave now. Enough
that my character is unstained. -
81 am satisfied. 1t shall be as you
say. Tomorrow evening, with your con-
sent, I will spend here. Good night. %
He bowed and left the room.
In six weeks was married. Now, to-
night, as / sit here with the moonlight
flooding into my room and think over
those years Of my life, it seems like
some brilliant, troubled dream. Ny am
bition was aroused. It had been kept at
bay all my life, but now it was unloosed,
and, as love was nothing to me, that
ruled my heart like an evil spirit. But
let me tell you how met David Woolsey
again.
We, my husband and I, had received
cards for magnificent ball, and, as usu-
al, we attended. During the evening,
while / stood conversing with a group
of gay ones, felt hand laid lightly
upon my shoulder and turned to con-
front the lightning glance of David
Woolsey. 1 know paled fearfully, but
I did not lose my self command. He
penG down 70 my ear ana Whispered,
Follow me in few moments to the
conservatory. -
There was determination in his voice
and something in his eyes which said,
''Disobey if you daren' I had no in
clination 10, at all events. | would
have seen him there if it had cost me
my life. While the rest Were talking l
slided from the room and went where
he directed. He was waiting alone to
receive me.
"I see that am not forgotten, Mrs.
Clayton. [ am disappointed. How many
hearts have you held and thrown away
since mine lay upon sour altar? How
many?''