The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-06-05

Sim was modest, and 1t was trying to
him to have to speak Of these things,
and even when he was driven to 1T he
passed them over as lightly as posi-
bic.
Pap Sampson, however, was too
fond and proud OF Sim to allow his
hcrOism to remain unknown. SO, not
withStanding his excited condition, lie
took time to tell the full story of how
Sim had saved Thompson by bravely
rescuing him f.om the field of battle
in rain of shot and shell. Pap told
it all as Thompson had told 1t, giving
Sim his full need OF credit. When he
had finished, there was long silence,
during which everybody sat with open
mouth, staring at Sim in astonlshment
1t was full minute before any one
spoke, and even then some one merely
eXclaimcd:
"Waal, I'll Jest be doggonedw
This broke the spell, and quickly
Sam Morgan added:
Don't that beat your Who'd "a
ever thought of Sim Banks doin any
| slch way as thatP
Lord" some one exclaimed, 81 bet
he WAS skeered, though. Want you,
Sim?"
81 don't know" Sim replied wcarily.
al don't mind much bout It,"
Pap Sampsc" brought his cane down
I with Il thump.
"Of co'Sc Sim want skecrcd," he
| said. "a man that'll do like he done
mint agwnc to git skccrcd at nothin.
Sim Banks skccrcd! Lord. you make
me plumb tired"
"My land, Pap, you're plumb right
bout that. \ fcllcr fixed like Sim was
thar don't have no time to think bout
gittin skccrcd. l know jest how it are,
cause I've been in lots of Jest sich
scrrpcs myself. | mind don putty
nigh Jest that same thing once OH II
awful bloody battlefield, an want no
more Skccrrd than am this minute"
"Was that the time you fit Hicks
tatcrs down thar in the cellar, Ebcre-
zcrl"
Ebcnczcr Sparks tossed his head
with IN air of fine scorn.
81 reckon" he said you think you're
pow'ful smart, allus draggin that old
cellar In ever time l dast to open my
mouth. But l guess you'll keep on
a-draggin it In till you've wore 1t
plumb out"
Pap Sampson, who had been out on
the street, came hurricdly in and whis-
pcrcd something to Sim. No one heard
what he said, but whatever 1t was it
had n magical effect. for Sim was
transformed In an instant from Il state
! of iiStlcSS apathy to one OF eager and
excited interest. Ills face bcamcd, and
his eyes glstcncd, and he tremblcd
from head to foot. He sprang up and
, started out, but sam Morgan laid his
hand gently on his arm to dctain him.
, The next moment II woman appeared
$ in the open door. Everybody looked
up and saw 1t was Louisa. Then Il 81
3 lcncc us still as death fell over til,
scene.
3 She paused for an instant and glanc
ed around. Her eyes wandered unit
they rested on sim. Then with cry
t full of JOY and pathoS she tottcrcd to
, ward him. His arms opened to rccciv,
t hcr, and the next moment she was
folded to his breast, and in silence they
: were weeping together.
t Nobody spoke. II was Il scene toe
impressive, too sacred. to be disturbed
|
$ their hearts full and their eyes mois
r with tears. Sam Morgan drew hi
9 handkerchief from his pocket and has
> tily turned his face away, while Ebc
n ncZcr Sparks stood smiling idiotically
! making heroic efforts to appear unaf
q fcctcd.
{ No ono moved but Pap Sampson. ii,
r stood humping the floor with his can,
! as lough he had n contract to thuml
a hole through it and was determine,
to accomplish his undertaking. All th
, while there was smile on his wrin
, klcd, tanned old face such rs had no
been seen there for many days. III
{ was happy. and no wonder! He ha,
worked and hoped and longcd for thi
, all those four long years.
, 1t was Sim who broke the silence
Taking Louisa's head between hi
hands. he raised it gently until thci
, eyes met. Then he saw that she, toe
had suffered.
"Poor little GIRL" he said tcndcrly
, at has been hard, cruelty hard, 70
YOU"
"Ycs," she sighed, "hard and dark
, but 1t has been harder for you. Poo
Simw
, And you pity mc toOT
She drew closer to him and met hi
eyes with hers in n look full Of tender
ness.
r "It is not that, Sim," she whispered
"It Is not pity"
, He began to tremble. All. could 1t b
that heaven was about TO open rign
, before him, with all its light and glory
, hfter this long, weary night of bite
dcsolation? lie dared not hope |
, was too much to expect. In husky. ca
ger tones he said:
, Louisa, tell me, what Is it?"
ut is love-"
Then to Sim Banks all the glory ant
joys Of earth and heaven were unfold
Ell, ana in one moment all the dark sor
rows and pains OF the past, MI tn,
threatened dangers OF the future. pass
ed away as dream. That was tbt
, one moment of supreme bliss I'm bi,
life.
Holding her close to his heart. h,
said:
I, "Louccsy, is 1t really true? Can It be
posslbleW
1T is,' she replied. ut is all true.
love yon. | have loved you for a LONG
time. How could I help 1t after all
your goodness to me and the wav Won
ana when you went away"