The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-04-18
AS GOOD AS GOLD.
By Clio Stanley.

=: :; :; Z; Z; 4: "a
II was pleasant place-the old
mill where Rita Canton lived with
her father, and where his father
Il had lived before him. FOR fifty
wears the busy wheels had turned III
their places, and morning after morn
ing. as boy and man, Peter Canton
had listened to their music, until he
felt as if he could never be content
to live or uie anywhere else.
1t was Il lovely landscape, too, that
was spread out before him as he
looked out from the mill window, with
pretty Rita pCeping over his shoulder.
In the tops of the elm trees life was
beginning to stir, for it waJ the first
bright day in May; and down in the
short, green grass. the soft wind
crept long with murmu ing caresses.
There were apple trees full of blush
ing bloom. and over them red-breaSted
robins were twittering.
"Ah," said Rita, with Il long, wish
full. breath, shall We not be happy
when it is all our own? Those smiling
hollows and little dreams of hills, that
green lane and the beautiful meadow,
and best of ALL this dear old mill"
What would you do, child" said
the old miller, without turning his
head, 'if you had to give it all up and
20 away to a strange place"
What do you mean, papa? Surely
there is no such danger as that for
u.s." said Rita, opening wide her blue
eyes.
The old man sighed wearily, as he
turned away from the fair landscape.
Papa. you would not leave this dear
home? Why, if 1 were in the fairest
garden in the world, l should dream
of the old stone mill, hear the sound
OF our laughing waters, and die Of
homesickness"
Rita, darling. you do not mean what
you say"
Il do. indeed. papa. You are vexed
about that little mortgage, are you
not"
Little. Rita? 1t is a hundred and
fifty dollars, and fifty is all l have
been able TO save in these last two
years"
Il know it," returned Rita. with a
bright blush; "but. papa, only last
night Gustave said he would buy a
share in the mill. and then you can
pay the debt that so worries you!"
When you and Gustave marry-but
when will that be-
Next summer. papa. He will have
no money until then. But we can all
wait little to be so happy"
Rita laughed merrily, but old Peter
Canton groancd.
Now, papa. something else troubles
you. Let me share your secret, that is
cloudinS your face in the midst Of all
this sun shining"
Rita" said the old man, slowly,
'you love Gustaye dearlyE"
Surely, papa. with the life Of me-
"And you could never give him up
to marry another:"
NO. no. Why, papa, trouble has
bewildered your BRAIN"
Yes. little Rita, fear it is so. Old
Eondeldorf. who held this mortgage,
to his own loss, for it was due two
years ago, has sold It to his nephew,
and the young man demands it at
once. with interest"
Not Rafe Vondeldorf" exclaimed
Rita. with flashing eyes.
Yes. Rita: and he will make only
one compromise"
What is it," she asked. with
sparkle Of determination in her blue,
beautiful eyes.
THAT you will consent to be his
wife, my child. Then he will never
trouble me for the money. And, Rita,
he is coming tonight for his answer"
"Oh. papa. sighed Rita, softly, 'is
there no other way to save you such
DISTRESS"
"He is a rich young man, and can
give you better home than Gustave
can provide"
What care 1 for his gold when he
brings no true heart with it:''
But he loves you, my child"
No! He loves only himself, and he
would no. even regard 4 sacred prom