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

SuuS l lSl biu SuSco luS 1iolh coAo
Elsie. land how I did that, heaven may
know. Suddenly be seemed to see It,
and then. honestly. I bad n oppor'
tunity to deny 1t. I didn't speak q
word IN two hours. Mr.. Alden talked
Tor both of Us, making my arguments
for me and then answering them
Without the faIntest perception that
they weren't really mine at all. IN
fact. he was like a big boy. 30 carried
away with bis own idea that all the
world seemed to be rushing along In
the way he wished. 1t was only when
be talked about sending me a lot OF
money to buy wedding clothes that l
managed to make myself heard. and
even then he thought that my objec.
ton was altogether to the money and
not to the wedding. Remember that l
was not much calmer than he. and you
will have some idea OF the confusion.
Oh. Brenda. how can | talk to you like
this? And you don't seem to care In
the least. Are we all crazy togetberT
Some Of us have been so perhaps"
said Brenda. but this morning I think
we are all particularly sane"
1T was wrong. of course. to let him
rome to see me-" Elsie continued. But
1t must end soon. and It was 30 little,
and you would have 80 much. You
know In those days l hated you. envied
you, lay awake at night &c think bitter
thoughts about you. with your beauty
and position and luxury! Oh, l saw
you! l walked up and down IN front
Of your house for an hour n day until
you came IN and got into your cur
rage. And I wished the horses would
run away with you. and just as the
thought flashed into my mind n Of
them began to prance, and actually
prayed out loud. because l was SO
afraid he really would run, after I had
wished It."
The rhetorical value Of this speech
was somewhat marred by the ctrcum-
stance that Elsie's face was being
washed while It was delivered. IIav-
ing rendered this service. Brenda be-
gan t o arrange her patients hair.
81 felt so small and shabby outside
your house." said Elsie. you can't
have any idea of It. Fancy that man-
sion full Of servants, all yours. and
there was I who was in need Of shoes.
I don't mean to say they were full Of
holes or anything like that but they
didn't look very nice. and I couldn't
afford to buy a new pair, for I was saw
ing every penny. Ny mother and !
have a little income. and l was down
to that for l hadn't had an engage
ment since February. / suppose you
never wasted your time thinking about
me-after you knew there was such q
girl"
81 never knew there was such a
girl" replied Brenda. until saw you
in this ROOM. The girl 1 thought about
never existed. And now let me say
this: There is 20 rivalry between US.
There are matches so manifestly made
in heaven that even q woman's jeal
ousy must admit the divine sanction.
So don't think Of 'sparinS my feelings
rs my New England aunt expresses
~ or being polite to use your own
phrlse for the same idea. You and
MIR. Alden were made for each other.
IL lad been writing a book or a play.
] might Lave tried to create two people
SO perfectly reciprocal. The way is
made smooth for ne to be q friend TO
both of you"
Elsie turned her head suddenly and
kissed Brenda's hand. Then she re-
laDscd into thought which eliminated
in her saying;
You couldn't have loved him. I
ought not TO say that Of course. but
lis true. Divine sanction hasn't any
thin. TO Go with jealousy. They don't
cone from the same locality. have
always Ecen jealous whenever l have
been in love"
She looked up out Of the corner Of
hci eve TO catch the effect OF the shock.
wherever you have been in !ove!"
e:ivl brenda. II hope it hasn't hap
pence often
Wei. not so very often" replied
Elsie. Il remember being In love with
al acto: once for as much as two
wcc!:s, You spoke about putting Mr..
Ai.rn and me into 4 play. Well, this
Nan rrseElbled Mr.. Alden. and we
were in the same aggregation Of gen.
It's. I,e YVES just as much like Mr.. Al
Gca rs The man they get to play Napo-
Ion in Il third rate road company pro-
duyi.Gn of Sans Gene is like the real
y: 3ylrcn. They pick out q fellow with
a.: right kind of nose. However,
lg"r! him with a consuming ardor.
rrm.rwbcr leaning out of a window Of G
frr;" lilt!e hotel in a jay town in The
wp> - watch him sitting on a fence il