Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-07-22

Iue OlueE ludu Sio"SiSu ~ 'oS
younger.
"I will admit that men speak well Of
you," he said. "They tell me you We're
a boy of the streets and the only sup
port of an invalid mother. That's
good. And you have an honost face.
That counts for something. But your
money is against you"
"Come, come" said Andrew, little
sharply, what is it you really wish to
say to ME? I have listened patiently
to your strange remarks. Make yonr-
self clearer and let us get to the
point"
"I WILL" said the older man. lie
spoke hurredly. Then he leaned Il
little forward and looked into An
drew's eyes. What is there. he slow
! " asked, between you and my Anna2"
Andrew started and flushed. But
I the gaze that met the Older mans Gid
not finch.
There is nothing" he said. "What
do you mean:"
"You have made love to hcr?'
mo"
"You have led her to rclievc that
you cared for herr"
mo"
"You have let your money blind you
to the fact that those who take their
wages at your haIds have souls and
hearts, and feeling mayhap even mere
sensitive than your: owns'
"That is false and Idle talk. Why
do you come here and accuse me Of
these thlngs?"
Your face is an honest one. and your
voice has an honest ring. Eut Eaw
can I believe you:"
.aCome, comc,n cried Andrew" enough
of this. Tell meat once what it is that
prompts. you TO make these accusa'
tionS."
The older man bowed his head.
My poor Anna" lie said. "She came
home last night looking sore distressed.
What is it, my girl| asked. She told
me she must quit her place. asked
why. She said it was distasterul TO
her, !but I could see she las holding
something back. rs the master rot
kind?' I asked. She said he was al-
ways kind And when she said 1t she
looked so troubled that 6lurtra out of
Z sudden, is it because you love him:'
And with that she gave me a quick
look from her brown eyes-they are SO
like her dead mother's-and burst into
tears. I said no more, but 1 kept up q
lot of thinking. Then I made up NY
mind to see you and have it cut with
you-and I'm here with a mind that's
torn with doubts and heart that calls
for revenge" His voice had been
raised little, but it suddenly dropped.
81 was going away" he said, across
TO. the old country. They have srnt
for me. They need ME. 1 wanted to
sec my -Anna settled in good homo.
the wife OF q good man. I'm 10 com-
panion for her. She could not go with
me- 1 cannot leave her unprotected.
But she would have naUght to do with
any man I might choose for her. And
now feel her peace Of mind is gone,
and her happiness is gone" He paused,
and his eyes again sought Andrews.
"And you blame me?"
~ cannot help but blame YOU
"Yct tell you am inncceLt.'
"Prove it's
"How can I:''
You must"
Andrew looked at the dark face be.
fore him and was silent q moment.
Then he suddenly flushed.
There is way" he said. "Step into
this storeroom here and leave the door
ajar. I want You to hear all that is
said. But, understand, you are not to
interrupt"
The older man looked at him doubt
fully. Then he slowly stepped to the
storeroom door and opened it.
Don't forget that 1 am here" be
said.
II will not forget"
The man disappeared rs Andrew
went to the outer door and unlocked
it,. Then he returned .to+his desk and
struck bell. A boy appeared in the
doorway.
Request Miss Rawdon to come
here
The girl appeared q moment later.
She paused on the threshold.
Yes" said Andrew, as he turned
from his desk. 81 wanted you, Miss
Rawdon. Sit here. please"
She came forward with her tablet
and pencil and took the chair by his
desk. Andrew gave her q quick
glance. She was pale. And somehow
the pallor became her.
Miss Rawdon," said Andrew, "nre
you quite satisfied with your position
here:''
She gave little start and q dull
red flushed her cheeks.
81 have no reason to complain" she
answered. =.
Andrew hesitated.
"For some TING I have thought of
asking you to give up your place." he
asked.
II am ready to leave at any mo-
ment," she quickly remarked.
"Wait, please" he said. 81 wanted
you to leave because I meant to offer
you what hoped you would consider
a better position"
She looked at him with startled OK
preston.
II have hesiteted," he went on, .rbe.
cause wished you to know me better
first. You have really had no chance
to get acquainted with me. 1 am
afraid you regard me as mere money
grubber You had no reason to sup
pose there were any tender qualities
in my makeup. And yet 1 want you
to know that you attracted me the
very first day you came into my en-
ploy. That attraction has grown
stronger and deeper. 1t has been
great pleasure to know that you were
within call, and 1 dreaded to speak