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

Fairleiga, drawing on his gloves, with
considerable show Of veSatlon. 4 my
Hepburn s happiness is dear to me. In
factt, T came here tonight 70 tell you
that love her
<sTo tell me!' broke il Gordon
4eWhy don t yon tell herr
seWait, cant you? Let ne finish. I
have told hec. ana she has declined ne.
It was done very gently and with the
greatest possible regard for my feelings.
but nevertheless I was declined. Don t
dhink me a fool because l come here
and make a confession which can be
nothing less than morttifying. I'm do
ing it for Amy's sake.
NsFor Amy's sake?' echoed Gordon.
ssYes; I want to see her happy. and
you are the man TO make her so. She
declined me on your account. Of course
I knew long ago that you were my
rival but did not know until two hours
ago that you were the successful one.
You aren't worthy of her and don It de-
serve her. but con t think for moment
that I believe myself more worthy OF
more deserving Pausing suddenly.
Fairleigh walked to his friends side
and laid hand on his shoulder. 81
can't understand what you mean by
leading Amy to believe that you care
for her while all the time dividing
your attention with Nell Forthdyke.
Would you be inhuman enough to
break a heart as loyal as Amy 's?''
@sDon't get tragic, Tom. I'm not go
ing to break anybody's heart Nell is
rich. you know
4sAnd so are you. sneered Fairleigh.
walking hurriedly to the door and lay
ing his hand on the knob, ''but Amy
Hepburn is poor. Society dares you to
wed with poverty. If you love Amy.
are you man enough to take the dare?
Examine into the financial condition
of the Hepburns. reflect upon the cause
of their downfall in fortune and then
let me see if you are strong enough to
leap this Brahminical barrier of caste. >
With this parting shot Fairleigh
passed quickly out Of the room and
slammed the door behind him. Harry
Gordon gave vent TO a long whistle,
settled himself back IN chair and
thoughtfully lighted a cigar.
''That was quite a jolt. he NUT
tered. looking upward through the
curling wreaths Of smoke. g How
happy could l be with either were
t'other dear charmer away!' It's as
sure as can be that love one and fancy
the other But who will unravel the
Gordian knot? Which is it to be-Amy
or Nen?''
A knock fell on the door. not on the
outside door, but on door leading into
a closet. Harry Gordon stirred unccm-
fortably in his chair. a vezed look COM
ing into his eyes as he fixed them upon
the closet door. After brief interval
of silence the knock was repeated
3'Now. what in the world aroused
you?'' cried Gordon.
Business IS business. came hol
Cow voice FROM the other side Of the
closet door I'm here for q purpose, and
if I do not make that parpose manifest
once in awhile you Ii forget al abocs
,oe.
This remark was followed by q clark
ing. cachir5aatory o1toUrst ti.at see.ned
to crate hars:2y on Gordon s ear.
We'll. what DO you want: = Re
asked.
-t1 want 10 core o.s ana show ny
self. Yon know "a here. bat d little
ocular demonstration won co2ae anliss,
take it Remember, Tn showing co1,-
sideration for you. might mare kicked
open this door ana stalled oct into the
room. But didn't raped.
1'Can't you put it Of Come CIT to-
I've got something else to
think about nov.
"The nigh and mighty order Of fanl-
5ly skeletons are not II tie habit OF
playing second fiddle OF taking back
seats for anybody. / N coming at once. >
-.All right. then, groaaed Gordon,
souaring himself abo1c III bis chair:
Gone OF.
The closet door flew open ana a well
de9elopea s1e;eto. sssode out anE; crop
ped with d -atssllc i.:1o G chair IAe cay
erroas eyes were Dl;s19l>ly e1pTessiye-
to Gordon Fec ilim also there was
something sarcastic IL !ac GIN o. he
seshless JAYS
t.Das5 1aa of. s:...; sl.a si,e,eto4