The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-08-29

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.N49Ss& accompanied by
q shrdg of the shoulders, was eener-
ally the acme Of praise awarded JUS
tin, Seymour. 81
= He had fine, dark eyes-eyes which
looked at you half searchingly, half
suspiciously-eyes which told you in
a glance that he had little faith in his
fellow men. But no cynical light
cleaned in those eyes now, for they
rested on the earnest face Of Myra
Blaine.
e Myra'S carnestness was too much
for him-his cynicism vanished before
it. She talked to him US no one had
talked to him before; she cast some in
faence over him-an influence he tried
torestst at first, but seemingly he
y1a&ed to it now, for every morning
SeHhd him sitting here in this plea SAINT
ae5 where Myra came with her
484 iw0TE
Justin Eeymour has considerable of
his Satantc Majesty in his compost
ton. but believe, my dear Myra, that
- ataESH m attraction for your sex.
He has been deceived and disappointed
until he hasn't any faith left, but he's
AVERY good sort of fellow, for all that"
This was what Philip Aymer, My
ra's intended husband, said to her the
day he brought Justin Seymour with
him on q visit to her fathers house.
And instantly her pure heart went out
in pity to this strong man. who was,
she thought, so much in need Of help
ing hand.
All, dangerous pity! Myra's embroid-
cry lay III her lap. She had not set 4
q stitch in it for the last fifteen min
utcs. Her great, earnest violet eyes
were raised to Justin Seymour's dark
ones. as she sat talking to him. 80
A footstep sounded in the hallway
without, and Justin Seymour rose and
abruptly quilted the room as Philip
Ay1ner Sauntere6 in.
What meant Justin SeymCur's sud
den departure when Philip entered?
This same thing had happened before,
hut Philip noticed it now for the first
time. He looked over at Myra. With
cheeks aslow her head was bent over
her embroidery; nor did she raise her
eyes to see who entered.
He crossed over to the window and
looked out for several moments, and
still Myra did not raise her eyes to
look at him.
"Myra," he said, suddenly turning
from the window, you are getting in
terested in Mr.. Seymour, or he is get
ling interested in you--which is it?'
perhaps we are getting interested in
each other" said Myra, smiling.
"Myra, you should not get interested
in Justin Seymour. He is not good
man-he had led hard life"
philip Aymer, for shame! to speak
Of your friend in such q manner! Do
you forget, sir, that you have left this
man, who is SO very bad-who has led
such an awful life-and me to enter
tain each other every day since you
came here?' cried Myra, Indignantly.
Philip Aymer's face turned scarlet.
He crossed over to Myra's side.
"Myra," he said, putting his arm
about her.
Don't touch me, don't! 1 cannot
Dear itr' said Myra, drawing from him,
md, frightened at her own words, she
covered her face with her hands.
$50 it has come to this" thought
Philip, every vestige Of color leaving
bis face.
They were engaged to be married.
Their parents had managed the ell
gagement for them while they were
too young to do it themselves. But
Philip was very we'll satisfied with
the parental arrangement, not that he
was desperately in love with Myra,
but he liked her. and she possessed
fortune-and money was Philip Ay-
mcr's god.
And Myra was willing to please her
parents. Philip was handsome, she
liked him. but love she knew nothing
about it until-until just now, when
Philip put his arm about her, and she
knew just rs surely as she did in the
days that followed that she loved JUS
tin Seymour.
"Myra, l think your conduct needs
NJ explanation"
"Yes, it does" said Myra, quickly,
her hands dropping from her face. Il
never understood my own heart till to-
day. Philip, l do not love you; l can
never be your wife,
"You do not love me, but you love
Justin Seymour-a man who never
cares for anybody but himself-a rover
on the face of the earth; he is here to-
day, and away tomorrow, having
faith in no one, caring for no one but
himself"
"Philipr' came rcproachfully from
l;,,c bo Turmoil ow0v will,