The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-01-27

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~ woman whom he
much adored. He had been so deeply
in love for more than year that he
had had eyes, ears and thoughts for
none other than pretty, fascinating
Miss Dormer. Yet, so skillfully had
he been managed whether consciously
to herself or not, he knew not), that
no word of his could have been con-
strued TO give evidence Of more than a
friendly feeling.
There We're others in his predica-
ment, and misery always loves com
pany. At the same time he felt there
must be an end to all things, and had
resolved to bring matters to a state of
certainty without further delay, know
ing full well that he had made simi-
lar decision u score of times before
She had way of turning the conversa-
tion mt most interesting stages without
giving offense and with show of tact
worthy q weightier cause. He could
recall any number of times when he
was on the eve of making full
avowal, and thought her particularly
sympathetic, when a turn of her head
or glance of her clear gray eyes
would throw him back into the old
state OF detection and lie would leave
with tho words unsaid. Again, inter
ruptions had come when he was at the
point of growing serious, and there
had been much in the way of declaring
his love.
She must have read it in his eyes,
in hi. every act, yet there were several
oh Ill Il, Al l.
on their sleeves in much more
amazing manner than did he, and who
were treated with the same calm i'm
partiality.
There was Hilton. member of every
club in town, and possessed of such
an income as is never an objection in
the affair of the heart. There was
Ressler, the captain of his college
eleven, ndored by all the girls, adoring
Miss Dormer only. There were NAL
lard, Hollister and Smith, all rattling
good fellows, to say nothing of one
Bookleigh, n sort of literary man with
long hair, ready made ties aud original
poems. No man feared him as n rival,
however, for he made his love as com
mon as postage stamps by talking of
her TO everyone he knew. Moreover,
he was the kind of fellow to make IL
hit with old ladies mt afternoon teas.
and the men not only considered him
more of an ass than any one Of their
acquaintances, but actually guyed him
to his face. Among themselves they
jestiugly accused him Of imperfect
cercbratiOn. But in spite of these
facts, and that he enjoyed fair share
of Miss Dormer's favor, they liked him
because he was kindly -natured and
altogether harmless.
AS HOtaling chewcd the end of his
pen, he meditated upon these things:
particularly IIilton's ten thousand a
year, and wondered if the latter con
sideration would weigh with Miss
Dormer. He believed it would not,
and wrote her note acc ordingly He
asked for an engagement during the
week, adding that he had under con
sideration an offer to go abroad as
foreign correspondent for daily pa
per. and that in case OF accepting he
would sail the next Saturday. lie
would leave it for her to decide
whether he should go or stay. IT was
his last resource, and he felt that it
would bring things to II crisis. If she
refused him, he could go awny-and
forget. If she--but the other posi-
bility plunged him into such delir.
ium of delightful dreams that he de-
stroyed tho missive and resolved he
would see her that evening and set his
mind at rest.
There is popular fallacy that van
ity is the prerogative of woman exclu-
sively. Many hold that the soul of
man is above such petty considera-
tions as dress and personal adorn.
ment. Go to! Vanity hath no limit
ations of sex. As Mr. Richard
Hotaling carefully accomplished his
toilet that evening, with frequent sug.
gestions from his valet, and more fire.
quent glances toward the mirror, he
thoroughly appreciated his good
points. and vuliantly strove to make