The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-11-13

/ want 10 Qelp neT. i WOu I iel any
thing take her away from me-"
Presently | heard the story Of the
man in his life" continued Elsie.
at appeared that the gentleman was
married-most unhappily. Where was
his wife? He had permitted her to OBJ
tain a divorce. This was pure generos.
ity on his part. He would rather suf-
fer an injustice than attack in the
courts the woman he had sworn TO love
and cherish. He mentioned several
high society ~precedents for this con-
duct. In fact, he convinced me that
divorce was, upon the whole. a mark
Of distinction in these days. 1t ap-
peared that his was a sort Of limited
divorce which did not permit him to
remarry. but after this aspect of it
had been presented to me on several
occasions he discovered that he could
marry under certain conditions with
the full sanction Of the law and heav-
en-.
"Well, Brenda, let's be fair. l want.
ed to marry the man. ] persuaded my.
self that I was in love with him. !
wasn't. l can see that now. ! wasn't
within q million miles Of loving him,
but I was ready to be loved, Brenda
that's the truth about it. My heart
was full of tenderness, and ! saw the
whole world rose tinted in the light Of
the dawn of love. That's poeticai. But
wait a minute. ] am coming to some
thing very unromantic. / wrote this
story, Brenda-wrote it all down for q
great heart thrilling novel-and then
had sense enough to burn it. But that
helps me to tell it straight. and you'll
catch fine phrases now and then, but
you won't laugh at me.
well we were engaged, Of course.
My fance presented me with a dia.
mond ring, and diamonds are my souls
delight. After l got this n l used to
keep a little light burning in my room
at night so that | might see 1t sparkle
If happened to be wakeful. sub
sequently learned that there was a
financial irregularity involved in the
obtaining Of the glittering gem, but
did not learn that until after it had
passed out of my possession"
Where did fate find this precious
r~ascal?" whispered Brenda. "And why
did fate send him to you"
"Why did fate send a good man after.
ward?" said Elsie. why not before!
Well. the moving finger writes and.
having writ. moves on 1t was to be.
Finally the gentleman announced that
a marriage under the laws Of the state
Of Pennsylvania would meet the re-
quirements of the situation. | was a
good deal startled by this definite sug'
gestion. and | wrote to my mother on
the subject for the first time. The gen.
tleman TOOK the letter to post, and 1t
has not been delivered yet, thank heav~
en-!
Before it was time to get an answer
sudden business Of great Importance
called my fiance to Philadelphia How
opportune! Well. Brenda, l packed n
little hand bag and went. What must
you think Of me-"
Brenda bent down gently and kissed
Elsie's hand and held it against her
face.
81 don't know the story yet" she said,
"but you have portrayed a thorough
scoundrel. And you have also shown
me a trusting and true hearted girl who
went to be married with an innocent
heart. Blessed heaven! Think of a
man for whom a young and pure girl
will go out into the world like that. as
il to walk in the fields. Should not ev-
cry fiber Of his soul BE- thrilled to loyal
ty for all his life"
1.-THE gentleman in question had no
soul" said Elsie. 81 think he will be
spared all punishment hereafter. as the
brutes are. Let US proceed, Brenda,
dear. The remainder Of the story Is
not long. We took the II o'clock train
and reached Philadelphia in time for
luncheon. Our marriage was to he
kent secret for awhile. and there SEEM
ed TO he some slight objection to the
public dining room Of the hotel where
our hanson set us down. However,
we lunched there cutie hastily. for l
had no appetite. Then we re-entered
the hansom and went 10 look for Il min
lister. We had remarkable difficulty IN
finding one, considering that Philadcl-
phia is a large city full of churches, but
we finally succeeded. Then it appeared
that we had neglected TO comply with
certain formalities. but the clergyman
was able TO rectify the matter. anu so
we were married pitifully. as | see 1t
now, with stupid old servants and q
chance laborer who happened to be IT
work IN the house as our witnesses.
when we got back TO the hotel, 1t
was 6 O'Clock. and | was nearly am
ished. We hurried right into the din
ing room. and my husband ordered 4
great spread. win champagne. for on
miserable celebration. and now ! WI
tell YOU the uHroInantic part. In the
midst of that dinner. and while | fan