The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-05-15
..LOvc And
\ Man...

softly upon the rich tapestries, the clt
can't furnishings and the rare paint
mos and fingered amid the blond hal
of a Young man, who, in slippers an
smoking Jacket was reclining IN
Morris chair before CRATE, reading
paper.
vouth and his smooth shaven face wa
free of lines of trouble or of care. Blu
in his quiet eyes Il certain sadnes
sumbered as though real happiness
real contentment were not his.
Presently a woman, rObed in al
evening gown of pale blue satin, push
ed aside the portiere and, seeing him
paused smiling. Her hair fell over he
shoulders like golden cataract tum
bling into blue sea, and her eyes were
like the skies of Junc-pcaccfully blue
and tender. Jewels sparkcd at hcl
throat, and on her fingers and punk
flush frightened her checks, like the
earth IS frightened by the first pink
rose the sun holds up through the dewy
mist of dawn.
The young man did not move; he
did not glance up from his paper, al
though lnc WUllluH COuSIlcu SllUnllY ',
very slightly, once or twice.
Finally she walked smilingly across
the room and pausing behind his char.
rested her arms upon his shoulders
and pattcd his checks. fIe glanced up
into her face an | her smile deepcncd,
showing shado~y dimple in her cheek
"Hello, Agnes,' he said, simply
turning his eyes back to his paper.
The woman removed her arms from
his shoulders and stood quite still and
erect, a thumb and finger toying with
lock Of his hair and usefulness
creeping into her eyes.
ell did not know you had come, ,
RaymOnd,' she faltcrcd.
{" | have been here ten minutes,n he
returned. " did not think II ncces-
sary to sound a trumpet when | ar
rved."
The color left the woman's face and
her lips trcmblcd, but she did not re-
ply. After awhile she walked over to
a window and gazcd out at the stars,
while the man turned his paper over
and continued his reading.
Once or twice the woman turned her
head and glanced at the mau, but she
did not speak and he did not look up.
Then she pushed a footstool to the side
OF his chair and sat down upon it, let
ting her elbow rest upon his knee and
gazing at the Goals in the CRATE.
"Plcasc put down your paper, dear,''
she sad. " want to talk to you"
The paper dropped from the man g
fingers and for a moment he gazed in
silence at the wOman's hair that glowed
like golden crown in the bright glare
Of the electric light. Just the sug-
and he sighed softly.
Still the woman did no. take her eyes
from the fire; she did not speak, and
the man took n cigar from his pocket
and, lighting it, threw the burning
match into the crate.
Wcll?' he asked, impaticntly.
Raymond," she replied, very slow
ly, " did you realize that tomorrow is
the anniversary Of our wedding? We
have been married three years to.
morrow, Haymond."
Again a sigh escaped the man. |,
was very soft sigh, but the woma,
heard 1t and glanced quickly, search
ingly INTO his face. lie did not re
turn her glance, but gazcd silcn,l
into the fire.
Sadly she turned her face again I,
wards the glowing Goals IN the gra,
and sal III silence for long time.
Wcll,' repeated the man, fnall,
" what Of it, Aynes2"
Raymond" she said, suddcnl
leaning forward and staring intent
into the fire, you do not--you {
not love me any more, do you?" The,
was a sob in her voice and the ms
moved uncaslly.
love you rs much as | ever did
ne replied, rcsignedly.
AS much us you ever did? Then
then, you never loved me, Raymond.
Inc other hcsitatcd, chewing stul
bornly at the end of his cigar. The
ne replied, speaking softly, but dc
hoeralely: "No Agnes. never trul
loved YOU"
a sudden c"y escaped the woman
spite OF her efforts to control hersel
and the mans face darkcucd r
when the woman spoke her voice W
calm and steady.
Why, then, did you marry II
Raymond2"
You know why | married YOU
replied. You know the parents
both Of us were anxious that we shOr
wed. Father never gave me NJ
ments peace until | agreed. lie ev
threatened to disinhcrit me if | ref
ed. And so--and so-.ob, well, | W
young and didn't much care"
"Then it was my money, and II
me, you married, Raymond?"
-" wen, yes, suppose so," he T.
phcd, blowing cloud of smoke in
the ar. Yes, | suppose it was c
account of your money that the foil
wanted me to marry You. But didn
care lor your money, Agnes; you kno
uloh L. haven't touched cent of If
ne leaned forward and nickcd III
"s,' ",1;, from his cigar into the namc
wntn, "ntS Ihe woman sat perfectly Still
"htching the embers.
while didn't care particularly f,
you,' he continued, palroniyi9oal !,
there was no one else / lovnd "m5 .
didn't much care. U,y;,, '''