The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-09-18

W0Ct0 hS -
that Elsie would receive him presently.
at that moment Elsie was confd!nS
20 Brepda her opinion that Sir. Alden
would sunes q g~rievous disappo'Dt'
ment
~Hs wont expect to see me ME
the" she said. Il look Ike deaths
head on a handspike. M my cousin
Billy says. Brly vas In the naval re-
serves during the war and prevented
the Spaniards from capturing New
York. but that's another story.
Brenda. II I should put OIL just n little
bit Of rouge ! don't want to friSbten
him"
.you don't wunt to- think Of rouge
for ten PEARS" replied Brenda. And
besides, my dear. you haven't any.
Moreover. be won't know how you
look: be will be too glad to e yorl
alive"
-Of course you think I am very
trivial and absurd" said Elsie. but do
you realize that he mny not see me
againl No one can know precisely
how I am hurt. This wound may be.
peares to a vital spot than DR.. Kendall.
suspects or will tell A break Of q wall
as thin an paper. Il little blood spilled
here beneath my hand. and am gone
in a moment Perhaps tonight: per-
haps wen while be sits here beside
ma And this last sight Of me Will be
the memory he will carry as long as be
lives. I want It to blot out the face OF
every other girl that be Will ever see
Then don't blot out your own with
the contents OF a rouge pot" said
Brenda Ozark! They are coming
along the corridor"
She stepped Il the door and ushefed
10 Alden and Kendall
Alden had the pale, set face OF
Nathan Hale going to execution AS
often happens with a man too streDu-
ously prepared. his eyes failed to fo-
u and be stared for q moment at
Elsie without really seeing her. Had
she been the wasted and pitiabe OBJ
tect that bis inexperience led him to
expect be would probably have borne
the sight Of her With great fortitude.;
but when her face emerged from the
mists Of imperfect vision precisely
EIsie1s With every we'll remembered
attribute Of beauty. It was an attack
upon an unprotected spot in his de-
lenses, and every drop OF blood In bis
body cried out with the voice OF one
great sob.
This is what I was afraid Of" NUT
tered Kendall. "Confound him! I
knew he'd break down.
He glanced uneasily at Elsie. but she
seemed quite calm. She extended her
hand toward Alden, and he kissed IL,
falling on his knees beside the bed.
"You mast not feel sorry for me-"
said sba. Il am very comfortable, and
l waste DO time III plying myself. 1t
was very. kind Of you to send the VIC
let's"
Dear htue girl" be said. still kDeel
ing. every minute Of my life SHAH be
yours to make this right"
You are not to speak that way" re-
piled Elsie. with tint manner which
accompanies hong considered words.
You have your own life to lead. You
must pos spoil It for me-"
Aldents face wos gray With anxiety,
as be looked into Elsies.
Don't say we have gone back; that
It's all Ike long ago" he began. But
the warning eye OK the vigiiant Ken
dali, who bad softly stepped to the
bead OF the he'd upon the other side.
checked this plea Alden writhed with
the effect. but his will held him.
II mustn't worry you he said; then.
with half an ego on Kendall: ELSIE,
who did ihts1 Tell me-, little girl"
Il dom, know; really don't" She
answered why DO you think that 1
dcr:'
Again the doctor silently protested,
and Alden took heed.
II had pot beard II from you" he.
said- But let Us put it out OF our
minds. What can ! do for you? Is.
there anything you need? We will.
hold q conference on the subject"
Brenda would get ne anything in
the world replied Elsie. She has
been as good as two mothers 10 me.
Brenda. what do l WANT
Rest and an easy mind and your
real mother as soon as she can come"
replied brenda AS to Mr.. Alden's
contribution. | would suggest q pretty
picture or TWO 70 put IL. the walls.
They would relieve the eyp. Elsie has
asked for Tan,aluS. but the art com
mi,;ee. consisting Of DIR. Kendall and
myself. refuses to hang HIM"
The art committee Is all right" said
Alden. II shall submit some pictures
to 1t with confidence"
Thus the talk drifted from topics too,