The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-03-21
HIS FAMILY SPECTER

by Jove. Gordon. I don't know
what TO mako of your exclaimed Tom
IAirleigh. drawing ON his gloves. with
eDnsiderable show of vexation. "Amy
8cpburns happiness Is dear to me. In
net. l came here tonight to tell you
Nat love her.
''To tell met broke in Gordon.
why don't you tell herr
swat. can't your Let me finish.
Aave told her, and she has declined me.
- was done very gently and with the
greatest possible regard for my feelings,
mt nevertheless was declined. Don't
mink mo fool because come here
Ind make confession which can be
nothing less than mortifying. I'm do
tng 10 for Amy's sake.
"For Amy's sakef" echoed Gordon.
"Yes; l want to see her happy. and
you are the man To make her so. She
3sciined neon your account. OF course
know long ago that you were my
01voL but did not know until two hours
80 that you were tho successful one.
Zen aren't worthy Of her and don't de-
0rve her. bat don't think for /. moment
0nt ! believe myself more worthy or
1nre deserving" Pausing suddenly.
1a1Rleigh- walked 20 his friends side
sDd laid hand on his shoulder. 'T
cat understapd what you mean BY
1Aeing Amy to believe thss you care
- hsr while all the time dividing
y0U attention with Nell Forthdyko.
Would yon be inhuman enough to
osook . heart - loyal as Amy'sr'
"Dont Set tragic, Tom. I'm not 60
- 10 break anybody's heart. Nell Is
S1ch. You know''--
"And % are you. sneered .rairleigh.
vaLking hurriedly 10 the door and lay
- bic hand ON the knob. ''but Amy
uopburn 70 poor. Society dares You to
Ued with poverty. n You love Amy.
- you man enough to take the dare
Hznminc into the financial condition
q the Hepburns. reflect upon the cause
- their downfall In fortune and then
- mo 80 II you are strong enough TO
up this Braiaminical barrier of caste. {"
With this parting shot Fairleigh
unssed quickly out Of tn, room and
aammed the door behind him. Harry
0crdon gave vent to long whistle,
Gttled himself back IN. a chair and
oouehtfully lighted cigar.
"Thst was quite JOLT" he NUT.
tEcd. looking upward through tho
euriinR wresths Of smoke. How
Aappy could DO with either we're
fother dear charmer awayr Is's as
@nre as can bo that love one and fancy
- other. But who will unravel the
0ordian knotf Which is 1t to be-Amy
g Nellr'
A knock fen ON the doo,. not ON the
eaedde door. but on door leading into
= closet. Barry Gordon stirred uncom-
trtahly In his chair. vexed look COM
1ng into his eyes as he fixed them upon
10 closet door After brief interval
q silence the knock was repeated.
'Now. what In the world aroused
yOu T. cried Gordon.
Business Ia business. came n bol.
Nv voice from the other side OF the
closet door "I'm here for a purpose. and
- do not make that plrpose manifest
once IN awhile you II forget all about
mo
Thisremark was followed by a clank-
Sng. cachinnatory outturst that seemed
10 crate harshly on Gordon ear.
-"Well. what do you want? a.? he
sskcd.
2 want to como out. asd show my
sclf. You know I'm here. but little
ocular demonstration won I come amiss.
] take It, Remember. I'm showing con.
alteration for you. I might have kicked
open this door and stalked out into the
room But | didn't. raped"
Cant you put it OFF, Como out to.
morrow. I've got something else to
think about now.
''The high and mighty order Of fam
lily skeletons are not in tho habit of
playing second fiddle or taking back
seats for anybody. I'm coming at once"
''All right. then." groaned Gordon,
squaring himself about in his chair.
"Come or.
The closet door few open and n well
developed skeleton strode out and drop-
ped with rattle into chair. The cav
crnous eyes were blankly expressive
to Gordon. For him also there was
scmething sarcastic in tho grin of the
hcshless jaws
Dust me of. said thu skeleton. al
want TO show up as frigntful as posi-
be tonight.
The .cquest presented itself to Cor
don as n command which no was pow.
crlcss To disobcy. Picking UP feather
duster. he piled /: vigorously about the
cleaning white bones
"Aohoor hc sneezcl. dropping tho
duster and falling into his chair.
''You ought not 10 neglect ms. said
tho skeleton. I'm one Of the family
and should be treated rs such. Now,