The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-11-08

the audience rose to depart.
Carol Milnot fingered; she was
10th to break the spell Of en-
chantment. Her music loving soul
had been thrilled and delighted with
the grand, sweet harmony she had
just listened to.
DO hurry, Carol" said Elsie. 81
shall miss my train
AS they passed q group Of young
ladies chatting gayly, Carol noticed a
tall, graceful girl whose lovely, ami
mated face attracted much attention.
isn't she charming" whispered
Elsie. "Jack Belmont's fancee-just
returned from Paris, where she was
educated"
Jack Belmont" repeated Carol,
sharply. Are you sure?"
"Yes," positively. "The H Club
is to give a dinner in honor Of their
engagement. 1 was surprised" Elsie
continued, "for I thought, last sum-
mer, that Mr.. Belmont was quite par
tial to a friend of mine. And she
glanced slyly at Carol, whose vivid
color was concealed by the dim light.
Carol breathed a sigh Of relief as
Elsie hurried away.
II will not believe this report" she
said to herself, with a panied, deter
mined look on her face. "She is very
beautiful, just the kind Of girl men
love at first sight-but not Jack. A-e
would not forget me so soon, even
though no promise bound us. 1t can't
be true"
The Stuart-Belmont announcement
caused quite a stir in society. The
prospect of a brilliant wedding, and
the bridal trousseau, were minutely
discussed. Carols reticence, and ap-
parent Indifference to such gossip
kept her in ignorance Of everything,
except the one dreadful fact which
she could no longer deny; Jack Bel
mont had given his love to another.
She would not condemn him, for she
believed herself at fault. He merely
admired her, and she had mistaken
admiration for love.
She welcomed any diversion that
would help her forget the past; so,
when the invitation came to spend the
Lentcn season with classmate who
lived in New York, she gladly accept
ed it. BY strange coincidence.
-, from I nn1nn
on the same day.
One morning soon after Carol went
for walk in the park. 1t was 4 glori-
GUS day, warm and spring like. AS
she walked rapidly along she noticed
a young man approaching who seemed
strangely familiar. She glanced at
him again.
"Why, it's jack she said. She
caught her breath-her heart gave a
bound. Belmont's handsome, genial
face beamed with delight rs lie has
tened toward her.
Miss Minot" he exclaimed. What
an unexpected pleasure!
Carol greeted him with the graceful
quiet dignity so characteristic Of her.
If he noticed difference in her man
ner he did not betray it. He seemed
in the best Of spirits, and frankly
showed his delight ut seeing her
again.
Carol felt perpleXed and troubled;
his attitude toward her was too OBJ
yiouS to be mistaken. Could the rumors
concerning him be false? she asked
herself. AS he led the way to more
secluded spot a seat half hidden by a
hedge of willows invited Lis atten-
tion.
"Shall we rest here awLilc?' he
asked wistfully.
Carol hesitated, but after second
thought consented.
at seems an age since We parted,
he said, as he took his place beside
her.
She glanced quickly at him. The
old fond look shonc in his eyes. The
color deepened in her checks.
"Shall you return to B soon?" he
asked eagerly.
'My plans are rather indefinite" "
she replied with touch Of dignity.
LET me plan for you," he said, q
twinkle in his eye.
[ Carol glanced at her watch. She