The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-03-27

walked two miles II into the country
and back. He was restless and uneasy
and far more unhappy than he had
V G been in all his life.
Mrs. Mann's prophecy, coupled with
the words Louisa had spoken. had
made Il much deeper impression on him
tGan he would have admitted to any
living soul, thun he even liked to admit
to himself.
That there was something lacking in
bis married life he knew only 600 well.
and he had known it from his wedding
day, but never until now had 1t oc-
Cured to him how serious that lacking
might be. That Louisa did not love
him as n wife should he had been long
assured, but the possibility of her low
ing another MAI vas something that
had never crossed his mind until this
day, and the bare thought of such II
thing fell on him with a crushing blow.
Great GOd!' he cried aloud as he
trampcd the lonely country road. such
a thing cannot, must not, shall not be.
1t would kill me. q God, ii would kill
mel"
When he entered the room, Louisa
did not look up, and whcp he spoke
her name she paid no attention to him.
He waited Il moment, then asked her
what WAS the matter.
Nothing" she replied between her
Sobs.
"Thcn what are you cryin for?" he
asked. <"
Nothing" she answered again.
"Is it anything I've donc?' he qucs.
toned.
mo"
as it what Mary Mann said?"
"No."
"Thcn what is lt?"
"Nothing."
"But it is somethin, Loucesy. You
know 1t is. Won't you tell me what"
She shook her head.
did you hear what Mary Mann said
this evcnin down there on the strcetY'
he asked.
She shook her head again.
"She said you didn't love me an that
if yer you got to know that stranger
you'd love his little finger better than
you love my whole body. DO YOU
know what | told herr"
"NU."
"Wcll, | give her a settler, I guess,
for once. | said, Miss Mann. you are
a-lyin when you say any sich II thing
as tlat, an if you was Il man I'd whuI
you till your hide wouldn't hold
shucks.' Thcm's the very words | said
to her, an | meant 'cm too"
He paused rs If expecting his wife &c
speak, but she remained silent. III,
hoped that she would be pleased will
him for speaking so strongly in her dc
Tense, and he felt hurt when she tool
no notice of his words. Presently h,
went on, saying:
''rhcm was hard things you sal,
about me down there today, L.ouccSy
an I'd never a thought you'd IA don,
1t. | guess. though, you didn't mean it
did you?"
"Do you van me to tell you a lic?'
she asked in urn
mo. of course not"
"rhcn you'd better not ask such qucs
TONS
You did mean 1t, then?"
She hositatcd Il moment, then said:
"lf ! hadn't meant It, | wouldn'
have said it. Now | hope you're sat
! islicd."
Sim was thoughtfully silent for al
most n minute. Then he said slowly:
Il know it was owardly for me t,
act like | done. a.runnin from thcn
cattle. But. Lord almighty. how wa.
to know they was cattle stead O
soldiers when | didn't look back to Sc,
what they was?"
"Why didn't you look back instea,
OF charging up there the way you di,
II making Such n spectacle as yol
did OF yourself? OF course | wa
ashamed of you. How could | he'll
it,"
"Humph! It's all mighty fine to tall
that away as long as you amt neve
been In my place. ! guess that MI
Melvin, with all his grand an might,
airs, wouldn't "a done no different his
self even If you do think he's S,
great"
Louisa raised her head and fixed he
eyes on Sim. There was an expression
In her face and a look i'm her eyes tina
were new to him. and they caused hin
to shrink away from her and look O.
her with a feeling OF fear.
"Sim Banks" she said, "you be care
full what you say, for | positively vii
not bear to be insulted by you. II
submit to what Mary Mann may say
because ! can't help myself, but yo,
attempt to say such things and III
leave you in a minute and never liy,
with you again. Is your opinion of IN,
so poor that you think l am going t,
fall In love with every man that comes
along?"
NO; never said anything about you
fallin in love with anybody"
Don't you inslnuate anything Of the
KIND either. 1t will be time enough fol
you to accuse me of thinking that man
great when | have said or done some.
thing TO give you a reason for doing 1t,
but not before. You continue to say
sucb things as that to me. and I'll hate
you with my whole heart and despise
you so long as live"
she arose and swept out of the room.
leaVlng Sim dumb with astonishment
IL was the first time in her life that she
had ever shown such spirit as that, and
ne ala not know what to make of Il
sui, he was more rcjoiced than anger.
ed by her words, for he reasoned tbot
they proved conclusivcly that she had
not been struck by Mclvin's appearance
ana that there was nc probability of
Mrs. Mann's prediction coming true.
Almost light hearted he went out ON
the street and walked up and down I'm
the cool night air. He had been walk