The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-03-15

head does recede little too much.
"Deo. 6.-Mr. Durant dined here TO-
night. There was crowd OF people,
but he was the most interesting Of them
ali. and because was his hosts daugh-
ter I suppose he felt obliged to be at
tentiye. We had long talk together in
the drawing room-in fact, he scarcely
| over left my eide.
'sDeo. 1.-THE hounds met at Brock
worth park today, and We killed at
Leighterton; the best run this season.
Mr.. Durant gave me splendid lead.
He rides well and already knows every
inch OF the county.
.sDec. TT need not complain again
Of Mr.. Durant's lack Of interest. He is
delighted with my hospital scheme and
has offered to help me.
ssDec. 19.-We dined at the Towers
tonight. Dinners there are generally
tedious ordeals. but tonight was differ
ent. Mr.. Durant took me IN. Perhaps
that accounts for it.
1889, Jan. THE Cottage hospital
scheme works splendidly. Mr.. Durant's
help is wonderful assistance and by the
spring we hope it will be ready for the
first patients. =
ssJan. lot is a week since have
written anything in my diary. have
seen Mr.. Durant every day since. He
was at the meet at Houndscroft, and we
were in at the death at Dunkirk. Then
he was at the Hoskins' dance, and took
me in at Lord Launton's s dinner. He
| was among the audience at the hospital
concert, and on Sunday he was at
! church. Yesterday he walked with me
from the other end Of the village. / had
been to see old Hanks when met him.
Hewas riding, but he dismounted and
walked with me to the south lodge. I
am afraid he would be very miserable.
walking all that distance IN riding boots.
"Jan. 22.-Today have refused Lord
Winter again for the third time. Why
cannot he take NO for an answer? I
wonder II Mr.. Durant ever cared enough
for any one to propose three times?
"Jan. 27.-Today the most wonder
full thing has happened-Arthur Dnrant
has asked me to be his wife! I can
hardly realize it yet. Only when close
my eyes and again see his gazing into
mine I can hear his words, almost
whispered in their intensity. 'Islove
you, he said. 7 worship you. have
| loved you from the moment saw you
/ avoided you because ! felt I was not
worthy to touch the ground on which
ycu walked. But surely my love has
raieed me 80 that I dare plead with you
to let me try to teach you to love me
little I could not find words, and he
thought did not care. His voice was
full of pain as he released my hand.
Forgive me my presumption. l am not
| worthy Of you. I have been roughened
! by my life, by hardship and travel. For
give me for daring to tell my love, but
I could rot keep silent any longer. His
face was white and set, but still ] had
no words. held out my hands to him,
md none were needed. ! am happy,
wildly happy. he loves me. and. Oh. /
love him sol Tomorrow Arthur sees
papa-in Difference to my wishes. he
! saya for ne is GE1e it is useless. I know
papa Is prond, bns ne can have no fault
to and with him. Still, am nervous.
and Arthur Is certain IL is useless.
"Jan. 38.-Arthur had an interview
with papa this morning. I met him in
the archery ground afterward. It was
as he feared-papa would not hear Elm
1 to the end and forbade him to speak to
me on the subject. He silenced him IN
stantly and dismissed him with con-
rempt. Arthur vows that nothing shall
separate us and begs me to fly with
him. He says that we will be married
BY special license in London; that we
shall 70 abroad and stay there till
uapa's wrath has cooled. Then we can
come home, and all will be we'll again.
Arthur little knows papa's impiacable
nature. He is colder than ice, knows no
yielding, and will never pardon. He
never forgave Robert, and never will
forgive him, though his faults, poor
boy. were small enough. No, I could
not run away. It would not be right.
"Jan. 29.-Today papa sent for me
to the library and showed me letter
from Aunt Amelia. She wrote that,
owing to her recent bad health-she
has never known a days illness IN her
| life-her doctor orders her to go to
Nentone for two months. She will be
pleased il Florence will accompany her,
in which case she must be in London
ON Friday. I know this is papa 8 doing.
I told him candidly that did not wish
to go and would not accept the invita-
ton. He said icily: You will go. Flor
ence. You will join your aunt, as she
wishes, on Friday. ! was determined
he should not frighten me, and an
swered with calmness that equaled
his: NO, papa. You know I do not like
Aunt Amelia, and nothing will make
me spend two months with her. ! VIII
not CO. His only answer was to open
the door and say, with stinging polite
4 Il $Ny