The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-03-28

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the shadow Of a tree and stood leaning
over q fence near him. 1t was Mrs
Mann, and, looking up into his face
she smiled Swcctly.
"Sim," she said, with a pretty air OF
pcnitcncr, II am sorry that said any.
! thing today to make YOU mad'at me, an
| hope you'll forgive me. Won't YOU.
please"
Sim hcsitntcd for Il moment, then
said:
"You done I.ourcsy a great wrong,
Mrs. Mann
"Don't call me that SIM" she inter,
ruptcd. "Don't YOU know | dcSpSn
that namc:"
do you? Why:"
eff you was Il woman an had to bear
the name of somebody you didn't love.
you'd know why"
"Didn't YOU love your huShanl:'
"You know ! didn't"
"IIow should | know that:"
"Iou ought to know that woman
| never loves but one man.
"An in your case Dick Mann wasn't
! that onc?'
"NO."
'WhO was it!'
Mrs. Mann blushcd and acted con-
fused and finally stole Il sly glance at
Sims face that ought to have told him
the whole story. But he was thinking
of something else and looking in an
other direction, SO the effect Of that
smile and that glance was to Il great
extent lost.
You ought to know that without
| aSkin," she said dcmurely.
"Maybc | ought. but / don't. an !
reckon it don't make TO difference no.
how"
"No, l reckon 1t don't. not to you any.
way" with sad sigh. but you'll call
me Mary, won't you, SIM"
"Why. | guess so, if you're very par.
ticular about it. 1t don't make any dif.
ference to me-"
at does to me. 1t makes all tie diff.
ference in the world what you call me-
1t don't matter about anybody else,
though"
"Wcll. III call you Mary, then"
"Thank you. An now, Sim, you amt
goin to be mad at me any more, are
you?"
"No. guess | won't be mad at YOU,
but you done LOuccSy wrong. You had
no right to say that about that stran.
ger"
mo, hadn't, Sim. know that now.
But can't bear to hear you talked
about the way you was, an felt | jest
had to take Louccsy down Il peg or
two. / oughtn't to have said it, but
since have said it | amt goin to take
no backwatcr. LouccSy don't love you,
an she never will love you, but as GER
tain as my names Mary Mann she'll
fall in love with that Melvin If she ever
gifts to know him"
81 don't believe it. While ago she got
as mad as wet hen cause | said
somethin bout her thinliin him great
shakes"
"IIumph! You don't know much
about women folks or you wouldn't
set no store by that. know what
Pm talkin about, Sim Banks. an. as |
Baid before. If you live you'll see | do.
Loueesy don't love you. know she
don't. But let her go, Sim. She amt
the only woman, an there's one know
that does love you with her whole
soul"
"Onc! Who"
"Grcat Lord! Are you blnd--plumb |
blind and dumbT"
Sim did not reply at once. but stood
uncaSily twirling his hat about in his |
hands. first looking down ut his feet,
then casting furtivc glance at his |
companion. When at last he did speak. |
1t was in cold. unimpassioncd tones.
81 reckon | ain't so blind an dumb as |
I might be-" he said, "but you amt |
called no names, IN amt maxim no
gueSses."
"If you wasn't rs blind as q bat an
dumb as an OWL" Mrs. Mann said soft.
ly, you wouldn't need for me to call
no names. an you wouldn't need to
make no guesses either"
"Mebby that's So" Sim replied slow
ly, "an If am blind | don't know that
Pm sorry. There's times in n body's
life, Mrs. Mann, when It's best to be
that away"
Without a word Mrs. Mann turned
away and. entering the house, slam
med the door shut behind her. Sim !