The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-11-20

A NJ
BIC ny 1cge," he exclaimed hotty.
dlctlon to drink and drugs has united
him to bear the strain. He is shorten
ing his life by silent, corroding grief"
IF you have correctly stated the
case, monsieur, how can I save the
DOOR dear sufferer" Estelle asked, ter
rifed.
"Will you, if you can" demanded
Evariste.
"You need not ask that question, ~
she replied.
"Then it rests with you, Estelle. Be
my wife and redeem your grandfa-
ther," said he, fercely springing the
trap.
:Evaristew she whispered, starting
to her feet as if in fright.
He also rose and advanced toward
her, but was checked by repelling
gesture.
eyes, be my wife," he exclaimed hot
IL. "Estelle, it has been the dream Of
my life from boyhood. I have loved
you with every breath l drew since
long ago we met at Father Grhe's ta-
BILE on the day Of the races. My love
and hope Of winning you have sustain
ed me through trials, indignities and
injustices. l remained a civilian
throughout the war and endured the
contempt which is the towards lot to
be near you and protect you. / loved
you in silence, for l was poor. But
now, Estelle, have ample fortune.
Peace has come; life begins. Be my
wife, and my whole existence shall be
devoted to your happiness. Share my
fortune; be mistress Of my estate as
we'll as Of my heart Give me the nus
bands right to guard your interests,
and my joy will be to put away the
burdens from your inheritance, lift the
crushing load from your grandfatheTs
shoulders and give to his declining
years the boon Of calm and ease. We
will take him to our home, and l will
vie with you in affectionate, generating
care for his tranquility and comfort.
I can control the debts that bear him
down, and l can command Qullebert.
Consent, Estelle, and 1 promise that
within a month after our wedding day
the debts shall pass into your hands
and Quillebert shall pass to France.
Do not refuse, Estelle," he cried fran
tically, observing she was about to
speak. Take time to reflect. Answer
me another day."
81 need no time for reflection. My
answer is ready now and must be de-
li7ered. What you ask can never be-
She spoke gently and firmly, but her
voice was not wholly free Of resent
ment.
"Not to save your grandfather from
poverty and disgrace" he said, his
face darkening with anger and malice.
She staggered, but answered reso-
gutely:
'No!
"And yet you said you would die to
give him peace and health
"And so I would, but I did not say
would commit sacrilege."
"What do you mean"
81 prefer not to explain
He eyed her suspiciously.
"You haye not taken nuns Tows?'
81 wished to do so, but Father Grhe
would not give his sanction. he in
structed me that I would best serve
God through my duty to my grand
father"
"And by booming him to shameful
beggary you perform that duty: he
sneered.
"The duty must be a siniess one.
Rather than profit by sinful service
my grandfather would cheerfully lay
his hand in mine and walk forth from
this house forever homeless, beg from
door to door and sleep under the trees y
So serene and self trusting did she ap-
pear as she spoke and looked away to
the green forest that Evariste felt HIM
self dwindle before her.
"Have I asked Of you sinful deed?'
he demanded. .
Eyes. 4 loveless wife is SHINING
woman. I could not give you my love
with my hand. have no love to give"
s'You were not always loyeless. Why
noww
"My love is dead" she moaned pite-
ously, no longer able to restrain her
emotion, and hid her face against the
mantel.
81 understand" he said tauntingly,
"and lies buried under the apple trees
in Kentucky"
She turned upon him q whitening
look of mingled contempt and indigna-
ton. "Wretched man." she cried,
chow can you speak such rufian words
of the noble dead? Can you not see
him hide his head from tie shades Of
his comrade heroes, humiliated by the
perfdy of the brother whom his love
and generosity stroye in vain to make
q gentleman? Oh, unhappy migrate,
spare from your desecrating hatred
that sacred spot where sleeps your
benefactor, whose narrow bed beneath
the sod shines with light the black
darkness of your heart will never
know"
"Then you do not deny that your
love lies dead in that same hallowed
grave" persisted Evariste, writhing
under the denunciation. And you seek
to play against me Horace dead as you
did Horace living"
Monsieur" she cried, do you dare
EYES," he interrupted insolently, Il
dare anything now. You have made
me desperate. decline to accept this
answer as final. l will come this day
next week for another. Dare. Yes, l
will dare to come again, and will dare
meanwhile to make such provision that
you will not then dare say me no
again"
do not return"