The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-04-06
HIS FAMILY SPECTER


"By Jove, Gordon. 1 don't know
what to make of you'll" exclaimed Tom
Fairleigh. drawing on his gloves, with
considerable show of vexation Amy
Hepburn happiness is dear to me. In
fact. l came hero tonight to tell you
that love her.
"To tell mel'' broke in Gordon.
"Why don't You tell herr"
"Wait, can't you2 Let me finish.
have told her, and she has declined me.
1t was done,v very gently and with the
greatest possible regard for my feelings,
but nevertheless was declined Don't
think me a fool because l come here
and make a confession which can be
nothing less than mortifying. I'm do
ing it for Amy's sake"
'For Amy's sake p echoed Gordon.
fc5J 1 want to see her happy. and
You are the man to make her So She
declined mo on your account. OF course
l 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't de-
serve her. but don't think for a moment
that / believe myself more worthy or
more deserving" Pausing suddenly,
Fairleigh walked to his friends side
and laid hand OH his shoulder. II
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 heart as loyal as Amy'sT'
Don't get tragic, Tom. I'm not go
ing to break anybody's heart Nell is
rich, You know
sand so are you, "sneered Fairleigh.
walking hurriedly to the door and lay
Ing his hand on the knob. "tut Amy
Hepburn 10 poor. Society darcs you to
wed with poverty. II you love Amy.
are you man enough to take the dareH
Examine into the financial condition
Of tho Hepburns. reflect upon the cause
OF their downfall in fortune and then
let me SEQ II you are strong enough to
leap this Brahminical barrier of caste. :"
With this parting shot Fairleigh
passed quickly ont Of the room and
slammed the door behind him. Harry
Gordon gave vent to long whistle,
settled himself back in chair and
thoughtfully lighted cigar.
THAT was quite JOLT" no NUT
tered, looking upward through the
curling wreaths Of smoke. " 'How'
happy could l bo with either were
t'other dear charmer away!' It's rs
sure as can be that love one and fancy
the other. But who will unravel the
b Gordian knott Which is it to be-Amy
or Nellf''
A knock fell on the door. not on the
outside door. but on door leading into
a closet. Harry Gordon stirred uncom,
fortably in his chair, vexed look COM
Ing into his eyes as he fixed them upon
the closet door. After brief interval
af silence the knock was repeated
'Now. what in the world aroused
your" cried Gordon.
business is business" came hol-
low voice from the other side of the
closet door I'm here for purpose, and
II do not make that purpose manifest
once in awhile you'll forget all about
me-"
Thisremark was followed by clank-
ing, cachinnatory outburst that seemed
10 crate harshly on Gordon's ear.
: S"Well what do you want2". no
asked.
II want to come out and show my
self. You know I'm here. but little
ocular demonstration won come amiss,
take II. Remember, I'm showing con-
sideratien for you. might have kicked
open this door and stalked out into the
room. But I didn't. raped.
= s'Can't You put IL OH? Come out to-
? morrow. I've got something else to
think about now. -
''The high and mighty order Of fam
lily skeletons are not in the habit Of
playing second fiddle or taking back
eeats for anybody. I'm coming at once.
IAN right. them" groaned Gordon.
sQuaring himself about in his chair.