Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-14
am eensurarle in speaking thus of my

rival"
you fiatter yourself"
How is that?'
you are no rival Of Major Lacy's."
mo? Well. then, as friend
"Of his?"
"Of yours"
Nor are you a friend of mine"
well, then. an enemy, fool, any
thing, I want to tell you that nothing but
unhappiness awaits you IL you encourage
him. know him. tell you. l know what
sort of a man he Is. Unstable as water,
tickle, dssipated-''
'I'l hear no more.' cried the girl pas
sionately. turning her head, attempting to
leave the room.
Excuse me- said the man coolly. pre-
venting her by occupying the doorway.
You shall hear mel And hear this first Of
all am no. saying anything about Major
Lacy which is not matter of public knowl-
ecge and which l have not said to him di-
rectly. and which 1 would not repeat in his
presence"
You tell me that"
You do not believe me?"
No"
Il beg to assure you. Miss Glen, upon my
word of honor-and it has not been doubted
heretofore-that / told him these very
things not longer than half an hour ago.
And | informed him that l was going to
tell you
What did he say?' she asked, her curl
osity getting the better of her.
HE laughed Said that the south had
need for such as l." he replied with sturdy
honesty, but that he would take great
pleasure in killing me when the war was
over Is We were both spared"
We'll. sir was not that fine reply?'
ut was. Ii was a gentlemans answer.
l admired him for 1t and told him SO. At
the same time I told him that he must
cease his attentions to you''
by what right did you dare cried
the girl almost choking with sudden and
indignant protest.
No right Unless my love for you with
a desire to serve you. greater than every
thing save my devotion to that flag yonder,
can excuse me-.
"And that cannot Unless love be re-
turned it entails no rights whatsoever"
And you do not love me?''
Love you?" cried the girl scornfully.
Il know you don't. but won't your he
pleaded
II WON'T"
Wont you try?"
"Nor'
'You do not dislike me?''
Il hate YOU.
''Do you love. Lacy?'
II will not allow you to question me-
''You must answer mel said the man,
taking her almost savagely by the arm, and
in spite of herself she thrilled at his touch.
you hurt me-" said the girl
Nonsense! You hurt me more than do
you. Do you love this MANI
"Why not? He has his faings, his weak
nesses, but he fights against them he tries
to overcome them. The whole south knows
him, loves him for his deeds, pities him for
his failings. And L
Yes? You what"
You shall see. Meanwhile before you
depreciate a brother soldier, why don't you
do something yourself? You are not in the
same class"
Il wouldn't say that Miss Glen if 1 were
you" exclaimed Major Lacy. quietly enter
ing the room through one of the long WIN
dows opening the veranda. "Ah, Semp-
land. have you told your little tale?''
Yes"
Exposed me to this young lady?'
Il have"
"And condemned me as an utter scoun-
drel. blackguard?'
Not quite. l told the truth" returned
Sempland, calmly, Just as 1 said to you
would, and for that 1 am ready to an
swer in any way to please you. We can
settle the matter when the war is over
Very well. What did syou say, Miss
Glen?" continued Lacy turning to the girl.
Il told him it wasn't true"' burst out the
girl impetuouSly.
"Ah, but it u.s." said Lacy, softly. 81 am
all that he says, and more. too
But look at what you have DONE
But little. after all. 1 heard you re.
preaching Sempland for what he had not
done when l came in. That isn't fair. No
Drawer man lives than Rhett Ssmpland.
to tell me to my face that l was scoure-
drel. blackguard? And 1t took more cour-
age to defy custom, convention, propriety
to come here and tell you the same things
No Miss Glen, Sempland only lacks oppor-
tunity. Fortune has not been kind to him.
In that settlement after the war there will
be a struggle, I'll warrant you"
See! He can speak nobly of you" cried
Fanny Glen, turning reproachfully TO
Sempland.
Il never said he was not a gentleman
could not be a gentleman, that is. when he
was-when he wished to be one. that is, as
well as a hero. He has good blood in him.
but that doesn't alter the case. He isn't
fit match for you, or for any woman. l am
not speaking for myself. 1 know my case
is hopeless"
Cad laughed Lacy. 'you have tried
then and lost? It's my turn then. Mss