The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-12-03
WALTER BLOOMFIELD

you, your piau AOk Jun AeseAS .~S
would differ very widely from that
which you have adopted. even II were
still excluded from It."
"If my sisters husband were here I
haye no doubt be would be able to ef-
fectually reply to your insult" said
Miss Marsh Indignantly.
81 have insulted nobody" protested
Mr.. Price. "what I have said Is true.
and 30 II what I am going to say. The
English country boy who has been your
companion to-day Is unworthy Of your
hand. He Is what I called him-an
English country boy, without fortune.
experience. or. so far as I have OBJ
served. talent. He belong to family
which has enjoyed exceptional social
advantages for more than 800 years,
yet In all that time no one member Of
Il has distinguished himself In any
walk Of life. Such social position as
has has been theirs is now on the wane.
The Squire Of Holdenhurst has scarce.
~ yet reached middle age. and long
time must probably elapse before
young Ernest succeeds to his estate
a poor property. worth, perhaps. some
six or seven hundred q year at most,
decreasing In value every year. and
perhaps soon to be confscated by the
revolutionary legislation which now
prevails in England"
81 know nothing Of all this, and am
not much interested In 1t, but my SIS
ter's husband is q Truman. and the
people here do not account him dull
man."
THAT IL true, admit. Still. II your
sister were as free rs you are now. I
have that In my pocket which would
prevent her marrying him."
"Indeedw exclaimed Miss Marsh.
"that Ii more interesting than credi-
BILE"
"Still. It Is true" persisted Mr.. Price.
'No family was ever more glaringly
misnamed than that Of Holdenhurst--
1t has never produced true man. and
the one clever member Of It, your
brother.in.law, counteracts his ability
by his falsity. His faithlessness to
his wife, to whose father was due his
first step toward the great success he
has achieved. Is deplorable. The letter
have in my pocket reveals state OF
affairs which In this country would
enable your sister to obtain divorce
from her husband. VIII you read IT."
II take no interest In II, assure you.
Ny sister is happy, and has no wish
for divorce. but even were that not
SO, It would not be my affair"
Accepting as final your rejection OF
my suit. my last request-made to you
In the hope that you will pause and re-
feet before you change your own fair
name for the tarnished name Of Tru-
man-is that you will read this letter.
1t reached me this morning from the
Rev. Mr.. Fuller, rector Of Holdenhurst
Major. 1t Is very brief. and will not
engage your attention for more than
two or three minutes. Surely, Miss
Marsh, You VIII do SO much to oblige
q bitterly disappointed man."
"very well. I will read II since you
so greatly wish it." and extending her
delicate little hand. my Constance took
from Mr.. Price q letter which he
pleadingly extended toward her.
The first part of this colloquy great
II inhamed that consciousness OF VIC
tory which had possessed me ever since
Constance Marsh had declared herself
mine. Mr.. Prices TRADE against my
family. and particularly his animad-
versions on myself, amused me. But
It was plainly apparent that the peru
sal by Constance Of a letter from the
Rev. Mr.. Fuller. detailing the clrcum-
stance Of my uncle Sans connection
with Annie wolsey. might be fraught
with very serious consequences to sew
eral persons. resolved to interrupt
the reading. and returned to my Con-
stance as speedily as ] could. this time
happily without delay, but when /
reached the other side Of the screen
l found that Constance had risen from
her seat. and that Mr.. Price was walk.
ing away from her. malicious leer
upon his face as he replaced letter In
his pocketbook.
"well. darling Connie" I said. Il
have heard nearly all. You are q brave.
faithful little woman. But why are
you SO pale? Thank God, the worst
that envious wretch can say or do Is
powerless to affect U.s."
"Oh. Ernest. dear. II only I was sure
of that! Ten minutes ago / was hap
py; now I am very wretched."
"why, what has happened" / asked
in alarm. and with dismal forebodings
Of the mischief my enemy had sown.
But at that moment the electric light
was turned on. streams Of people be-
gan to pour into the drawing room
from the terrace. and a German profes-
sor took his seat Mt the piano.
! sought to lead my prize out Of the
throng to some obscure nook, where.
secure from interruption she could re-
late to me the contents Of the letter
which she had Just read, and we could
together discuss Its import. but failed
to find an opportunity to do SO. Aunt
Gertrude, Mrs. Van Rensselaer, and
Mr.. Rosenberg now appearing. the lat.
ter began to rally me upon my monop-
oily of Miss Marsh. 1T Is not fair, you
know, Mr.. Truman" said that gentle
man. There Is. I am sure. Mt least
one other gentleman present who Is
partial to the company Of Miss Marsh,
and there are Of course many others