The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-08-07

waters of the Mediterranean at Malta
was no other than he whom she
sought, the heir to vast estates-then
she suddenly awoke to the conscious
ness Of the fact that she loved him"
"God grant itv almost whispers Joe.
"Her maidenly modesty put her on
guard lest she betray her secret. That
is all. Be the man in love you have
been in battle, Mynheer Joe; walk
right up to the canno1's mouth, and
the prize Is yours"
IT WILL" responds Joe, with sudden
determination. "And yet, hang it all,
Grimes, you don't know what a queer
feeling comes over me whenever
start to tell Of my love and look up
into Molly's bright eyes. Somehow
the words race into another channel
of themselves. But see here, what did
you mean about the baron getting
ahead Of me? Was that letter from
him" with fierce frown.
ut was, offering his hand and heart,
not to speak of his estates, ut the feet
Of the queen of beauty whom we know
as Molly Tanner"
Mynheer Joe looks serious.
"That was a confounded neat trick
of his-proposing right under my nose.
But don't imagine he has any show.
Do you, Grimes?"
"None at all, assure you" with
grin at the anxiety apparent in Joe's
voice
"She knows him too well. Thank
Heaven, there are some sensible
American girls who will not sell them
selves for title"
"Why, old Tanner tells me she has
had proposals from Sir Hugh IRE
lawny and Lord Arthur Stanhope. She
refused them because she did not love
them! Think Of it, man"
"God bless her! She's worth the
winning! And you think I'm safe, old
fellowT
you've got the inside track, unless
you let it 60 too long. In matters OF
this kind delays are always danger
ous."
"Well, so long"
"Hold on, my friend; where away"
ITO find Molly; to tell her what
blockhead I am, and ask her to take
me in hand" responds the man Of ac-
ton, at which his companion bursts
| into roar.
"Time enough for that, Joe. Don't
do it in an abrupt way. Watch your
opportunity, man. The women-bless
Unlike to be wooed and won In the
proper way. Many a girl has been
frightened into saying no when she
meant yes by the awful abruptness
of her lovers proposal. Besides, I am
Just getting to business. Sit down and
behave yourself"
II suppose must, but It's too bad
can't put my fate up to the test, now
that am all worked up. Ten to one
when the chance comes again I'll prove
to be a miserable coward" mutters
Mynheer Joe, who Is developing some
new and singular traits Of late.
Mr.. Grimes taps the forefnger OF
his right hand upon the palm of his
left, as if to give an expression and
force to his words.
although this proposal Of the bar
on's was apparently couched In ele-
CANT language, there was threat be-
| hind it. He says"
"Whatr' cries Joe. "He dares threat
en- Molly, the miserable hound?"
even so. I don't know but that
| it is the custom In his country when
man of the nobility deigns to propose
to one beneath him in their social
rank. The Russians have peculiar
ways as we'll as the Turks and Arabs.
At any rate, this man has ayowed to
make Molly Tanner his wife, and
means to raise Cain If she will hot
consent to become a baroness. He
seems to consider it an honor to have
asked her, and takes 1t for granted
she will accept in spite Of her father
or any one else
| always ulu say uC W0S q NotSSAlSN
ass. His ears give him away" grins
Joe, whose hands are working nerv-
ously, as though in sympathy with his
feelings. He would give all lie ever
expects to handle OF his nacle's es-
tates for the privilege Of laying hold
of that same Baron Popoff at this mo-
ment.
"True. But we must not deceive
ourselves. He may be conceited; but,
ut the same time, he is dangerous
man."
~Ah! I grant you that. He played
with the sword as I have seen few
men do. Yes. the baron is no fool, af
ter all"
I'VE three discussed the matter thor
oughly last night. I found the sena-
tor a level-headed man, and his daugh-
ter backed up propositions made by
myself in a manner that did her cred
it. In the end we arrived at conclu-
sion, and the story you have told ME
this morning only convinces me we did
the right thing"
what was this conclusion?" asks
Joe, as his companion looks down the
avenue.
Speak of the Old Nick and you'll
get an odor of birthstone. Yonder goes
the man we were talking about. No
tice his arrogant strut. The natives
seem to quail before him as I've never
seen them do when in the presence OF
q British officer. All, it will be sad
dav for DOOR India if the iron heel of