Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-07-09
CHAPTER XVI.

| LER was in the drawing room
| Il playing a soft lullaby. 1t was
on the morning of December the
twentieth, a few days previous tc
her marriage. She was quite happy
but was interrupted by a sudden
ring of the bell and went at once to
answer the call. The large door
swung noiselessly open, as she gave
it slight push. Imagine her sur.
prise when she beheld, in the door
way, Prof. Wallace. He was the
same handsome man of old, but wore
a weary expression.
"Good morning, Her." he said, as
he held his hand toward her.
She did not move, but gathered
her skirts tightly about her as she
stood some distance away, appear
ing as q marble figure. She was
unable to regain her composure fol
some time, even sufficient to speak,
and her voice trembled when she at
last managed to say:
"Just walk into the drawing room,
Prof. Wallace. l suppose you de-
sire to see mama, 80 will 60 in search
of her. Have seat and she will be
present in moment"
Her led the way into the drawing
room, and when he was seated she
started to find the mistress of the
house. But by tbs time he was
enabled to say:
cit is not Mrs. Edrones l desire to
see, but you"
He was surprised at the cold man
ner n>which she greeted him.
"What can you wish of me ?" con-
tinued Her, as che seated herself on
one side of the room, he remaining
on the other.
"I came to seek an explanation of
your mysterious conduct"
"I have nothing to explain and
cannot imagine what you refer to-
"Why, surely you remember re-
turning the ring, and l wish to know
your purpose for so doing, without
a word of warning"
"I sent sufficient explanations"
w never received them, and posted
six letters to you, obtaining a reply
to only one"
"None reached me. / answered
the last one l received. But, any
way, how can you expect me to cor
respond with a man possessing liv-
ing wife?"
"Why, Her, what can you mean {
married2 No, indeed! What
possesses you to entertain 80 absurd
an idea? No doubt untrue reports
have been rumored. Surely you do
not deem me false toward your No
my affection is sincere"
"You endeavor to plaster things,
and pretend to be quite innocent
There's no use denying the accusa-
tion, for you have cruelty deceived
me. l never loved you, though
once thought did, and endeavored
to place my entire affections upon
you, and what have you done to
deserve all this? You have cast my
love aside as though it were naught
once placed confidence in you, bu,
you proved unworthy of my high
esteem. shall not trouble you
with it again, but shall give myself
to the one who has been true to me
through trials and pleasures, for he
is worthy of my love. Ere long
shall be Mrs. Arnold Freeman
Edrones. Good bye, Prof. Wallace
return Immediately to your wife and
never again act so imprudently. Do
not attempt to deceive another as
you have me. May God grant you
his pardon for all. You have my
forgiveness and best wishes for a
happy and prosperous future.
trust Gods richest blessings will
abide with you and yours forever"
She held her hand toward him as
she arose from her chair to bid him
adieu, but he detained her for a
moment.
"I am sure few explanations will
clear away the mystery. Remain, if
only for few moments, for my sake,
if not for yours"
"Well," she said, as she stood
before him, "only for short while,
then; so please be as brief as posi-
BILE, for do not care to be detained" )"
"My story is rather lengthy, but l
trust you will bear with me patiently,
80 | will proceed. You say you
have received but one letter from
me, but most assuredly others were
written, and / am unable to under
stand the reason for their not reach.