The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-05-01
CHAPTER XIV.
THE SECRET OUT,
1t Is difficult for two people to keep a
secret, much less half dozen.

1t Is difficult for two people to keep a
secret, much less half dozen.
When Pap Sampson advised the men
at Hicks store that night that It would
be best for no one to mention to Sim
Banks n word about the meeting be-
tween Melvin and Louisa, they all
agreed with him, and each Of them
promised not only the others, but him
self as well, that he'd abide by that ad-
vice, and every man there kept that
promise most sacrcdly.
Yet. for all that, the information they
were guarding from Sim reached him
In the course of time, as they might
have foresecn that it would.
Sam Morgan in an mguardcd mo-
ment told his wife all about it, but
was careful to caution her to mention
1t to no one. She carried the secret
safely In her bosom for a day or two:
then, finding it too much of burden
to any longer bear alone, concluded to
share 1t with her very nearest and
dearest friend, Mrs. Mann, not forget.
ting to caution her against breathing a
word Of 1t to another living soul.
Mrs. Mann, less scrupulous than her
neighDor or perhaps less afraid OF
Sim, ala not hesitate to reveal to him
the whole story. She so thoroughly dc.
splscd Louisa, for the simple reason
that Sim loved her. that she was only
too anxious to avail herself of such n
propitious opportunity to injure her.
Then Sim, the cruel wretch, had coolly
scorned her love and Inundated her
thereby In manner that would be
calling to the heart OF any woman, and
She was not sorry that 1t had fallen In
her way to be able to make him vince,
Tor once in his life, under the sting OF
the cruelest knowledge that ever falls
to man.
She ala not stop to consider what
might be the result Of her act. Med.
dlers never do. The after consequences
or gossip are something with which they
are not concerned and OF which thcy
take no thought Il. was So In this in
stance Mt least, with Mary Mann. 1t
never once occurred to her to what Sc
rlous lengths her act might lead, but
1t Is doubtful whether she would have
Deen able to control her tongue even IL
she had known.
1t was only after an impatient delay
OF two or three days that she secured
an opportunity OF speaking with Sim.
Then she proceeded to pour into his
ears the whole story as Sam Morgan
mad told 1t at the store. Sim listened
quietly until she had finished, after
which he calmly said:
That is all you have to say, is itY'
AIT she exclaimed wonderingly.
My land, amt it enough?"
rs that all?" he repeated, with ouIet
frmness.
ut is," she replied.
"Now do you want to hear what
have to say?' he asked.
Her heart gave little joyful bound,
and thrill Of pleasure ran through
her. Sim spoke so quietly, so calmly,
that she was sure he was not hurt by
what she had told him, and in tho
space Of half minute she had reason.
ed 1t out that 1t failed to hurt him be.
cause he no longer cared for his wife
and took no interest In anything she
did. She felt assured that what he had
TO say would prove to be remuneration
OF Louisa, and certainly nothing be
could say would be moro acceptable to |
her. except 1t wcro q declaration of |
love for herself. So softly and demuro.
Iy she replied:
II you care to tell mo-"