The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-10-08


"Oh. you mean about your dear old
Spider?"
What has he done:" she gasped.
He has been putting money into
SOME rotten company that has failed.
HAS he lost much-has he lost every
thing?"
We do not know full particulars
yet. but Spider never did anything BY
halves: he Is badly bit. I should say"
"wnl he have to leave the service:
she falsered.
impossible to say. but I suppose So"
|
"Oh. Jim. is this true?' They occu-
MED n retired nook in the conservatory.
That I have lost money in rotten
company? Yes"
And you must cut the service?
II was thinking OF sending in my
papers," he said. after a pause. and II
was true.
"Jim." she said. looking up into his
face. will you come and see me to-
morrow
"Of course. Maisie-after morning pa
rade?"
Yes" and then her partner claimed
her.
The girls brain was in a whirl when
she reached home. half glad and half
sorry at the turn events had taken. No
one could accuse her Of being mercen-
ary now. He would call and should
have his answer. even II they half
starved together. and her face flushed
happily.
1T must be awful to be poor after
being rich" she thought. and then as
the early summer dawn broke she
went to her jewel case. A crisp fS
note which the Colonel had given her
from the proceeds Of the Kangaroo
shares lay atop. This she slipped into
IN envelope. and directly after break.
fast induced one of her maids to ad.
dress II. and It was soon on its way to
Blankton Barracks.
Five pounds Is not much. I know"
she said to herself. but. please God. 1t
will help"
When Lord Culworth re-entered his
quarters after parade he took small
velvet case from his pocket and looked
once more at the diamond ring 1t coz
tanned. laughing happily.
"The plot seems to have succeeded"
he said TO himself. and then his eyes
fell upon the letter.
What a vile hand" and he handled
the envelope gingerly. but a subtle
scent Of violets saluted him. "Maisle"
he cried. "Maisie?"
For moment his blood turned to ice.
Had she repented Of her decision? He
hesitated for some moments to open
Il. and the strong man trembled like q
leaf.
At last he tore 1t open and out
dropped the fJ note. and something
very like a tear rose to his eyes. and
he grew scarlet.
Good God" he said. under his
breath. II have carried the joke too
far" and calling his servant he jumped
into mufti and drove over to Dorches.
ter House.
Maisie sat alone In the drawing
room. She heard her lover dismiss the
dog cart. and moment later. with the
privilege of a welcome guest. he had
crossed the hall. and without waiting
TO be announced. stood before her.
For o moment neither spoke; she had
risen at his entrance.
you are welcome. JIM" she said.
flushing. and their hands met. The
man seemed the more agitated Of the
two. "Jim! Jim! Months ago you
asked me question. You honored me
by asking me to be your wife. and re-
fused you because you were rich. Now
you are poor. Jim. Jim. dear; ask me
again.
The man extended his arms toward
her. and she 6ew into them blushing
rosily. laughing happily. He kissed
her on the lip and brow.
"will you marry me. Maisie. dear"
"Yes. jim" very softly.
"You win never go back on that,
dear:"
Never. never" aud he slipped the
engagement ring on her finger. and she
kissed the, gems. I'VE may be poor.
hut We shall have each other. dear old
boy. You must start as an army cram
mer or something"
"You will never repent having &c.
cepted me. dear?'
what q question! am the happiest
girl In England"
Suppose were to get rich againT
She laughed and looked up Mt him.
"Maisle. dear. I am rich. I only lost
hundred In that old Kangaroo mine q"
What her reply may have been 1t Is
impossible to say. for he had sealed her
lips with kiss.
Jim. you'ha taken re in." breath.
lessly.
"Yes. little girl" and his arm was
round her now. a case OF the Spider
and the Fly."-New York News.
SpopRes.