Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-02-14

figure standing so haughtily aloof, and
the defiant poise of the shapsly head.
''This is very ridiculous and en-
barrassing affair."" Eva said coldly,
finding that she was expected to speak
first; but she did not turn her head,
and the remark really might have
been addressed to the birds outside.
Embarrassing? Yes," he assented
lamely.
ssYou heard my decision in the Ii
brary just now?" Eva continued, still
addressing herself to the windowpane.
cit is impossible that tue condition
can be fulfilled.
A spasm as of pain crossed his hand
some face, but lis voice was calm and
steady as he led:
eyes, it seems rather impossible,
but is it not pity that Lord Mount
athol's generous intention should be
frustrated practically no one
should benefit by this magnificent be-
quest?"
Eva turned at last and faced him
with flashing eyes.
"What do you mean?" she de-
manded haughtily.
He drew step nearer to her and
spoke earnestly and impressirely.
'Miss Withers, you, like myself,
know what poverty is. You have told
me what your life was before you OBJ
tained the position our late benefactor
offered you. Are you willing to re-
turn to that life? TO sit at desk all
day and go home at night to lonely,
cheerless room?-perhaps to want
work and not know where your next
meal was to come from? Forgive me
if speak plainly; you know I speak
truth"
"Yes, know, but I say again I
would rather-a thousand times rather
go back to that wretched life. l
would rather starve than fulfil ths
conditions Of this hateful will"
''But you forget" he persisted.
'You are. not the only person con-
cerned. r am equally interested in
the matter"
ssYoul'
Most men would have WINGED under
the scorn, the utter contempt con-
veyed in the monosyllable, bat Ralph
Tievelyan met her glance steadily.
His face was pale and sad, but it e1-
\ pressed no shame.
''I propose that we should fulfill
the terms OF the will-no, pray hear
me out--as a mere business arrange.
ment. If you will honor me by going
through the marriage ceremony with
mel swearto to relieys .yon Of my hate.
full presence that hour: Instead of
earning a precarious pound week
you will be absolute mistress OF five
thousand year. Think what that
means, Miss Withers, ere you give
your decision. Think of the good
you can do to others with such means
at your disposal before you come to a
hasty decision.
He had touched the right spot.
During the last minute OF 80 Eva
had been sweeping up and down the
room with the mien of an outraged
queen, endeavoring to master her al
most uncontrollabe indignation.
She paused again at her former post
at the window and remained for
minute in silence.
every WELL" she said at last in
hard, constained voice. 81 accept
your terms, Mr.. Trevelyan. The de-
tails can be arranged at leisure, pre-
sumo? IL need not detain you any
longer"
She bent that naughty little head
ever so slightly, and taking this as
sign of dismissal, he went sadly away,
whereupon Eva sank down on the
window seat and cried as though her
heart would break.
The business arrangement was con.
cluded in due course at q registrars
office, for both bride and bridegroom
tacitly shrank from the mockery of a
religious ceremony.
Eva maintained her attitude of
proud reserve, aud parted from her
husband-in name only-without be-
traying the slightest emotion. Soon
aftsrward she went abroad under the
chaperonage of a widowed gentle
woman, friend of her early poverty
stricken days. They travelled on the
continent for some time; then, as the
winter came on, they drifted to Ma
deira, a d from thence Eva decided
to take trip to the Cape.
"And shall assume ms own name,"
she said to her complacent companion,
to whom her word was law. ''If
have to be Mrs. Trevelyan in Europe
shall be Eva Withers in Africa"
Of Ralph Trevelyan she had seen
nothing since the morning when they
parted at the registrars Office.
On one delicious evening in No.
vember she sat on the veranda of the
Grand hotel at Port Elizabeth, gazing
wistfully out over the sen. She was
alone, for Mrs. Mathieson vai enjoy
ing post-prandial nap in the drawing
room.
She did not perceive a tall figure ap-
preaching her in the moonlight, and
started when the newcomer, Colo ell
Lennox, a recent arrival at the hotel,
had halted beside her chair and spoke
to her.
ga delightful night, isn't it, Miss
Withers? I don't know who would
winter in England when they could
come out here to this sort of thing"
Eva marmured something polite and
innocent, for the colonel was a griz-
zled old veteran, and did not interest
her particularly.
''There's no accounting for tastes"
continued the colonel cheerfully.
"Now, T know follow who might
have come out with me, but who pre-
fers to work himsels to death in Lon
don. Ralph Trevelyan always was an
obstinate young dog"
"Ralph TrevelyanI" gasped Eva
l. L