The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-05-21

.roars Joe.
Exactly my feelings; but that does
not mend matters particle. The other
thing is what has Influenced Molly
most" continues Mr.. Grimes.
"Well, what is the tenor Of that?"
"You will forgive me il I am per-
sonal?"
"Of course"
"rhen hark to the words Of a man
whose business it has been for years
to read human nature, until from eX-
perience it has become very much like
an open book to him. The hour that
Molly learned the truth and knew the
man who saved her from the cruel
waters of the Mediterranean at Malta
was no other than he whom she
sought, the heir to vast estates-then
she suddenly awoke to the conscious
ness of the fact that she loved him"
"God grant ,itr' almost whispers Joe.
"Her maidenly modesty put her Oil
guard lest she betray her secret. That
is all. Be the man in love you have
been in battle, Mynheer Joe: walk
right up to the cannon's mouth, and
the prize is yours"
II WILL" responds Joe, with sudden
determination. "And yet, hang it all,
Grimes, you don't know what queer
feeling comes over me whenever /
start to tell Of my love and look up
into Molly's bright eyes. Somehow
the words race into another channel
of themselves. But see here. what did
you mean about the baron getting
ahead Of me? Was that letter from
him." with fierce frown.
"It was, offering his hand and heart,
not to speak Of his estates. ut the feet
of the queen of beauty whom we know
as Molly Tanner
Mynheer Joe looks serious.
"That was Il confounded neat trick
of his-proposing right under my nose.
But I don't imagine be has any show.
Do you, Crimes"
None at all, / assure you" with q
grin at the anxiety apparent In Joe's
voice.
"She knows him too well. Thank
Heaven, there are some sensible
American girls who will not sell them
selves for title"
"Why, old Tanner tells me she has
had proposals from Sir Hugh Trc-
lawny and Lord Arthur Stanhope. Sh2
refused them because she did not love
them! Think of it, man.
"Gnd bless her! She's worth the
winning, And you think I'm safe, old
fellow"
you've got the inside track, unless
you let 1t 60 too long. In matters OF
this kind delays are always danger
ols."
well, so long"
Hold on, my friend; where away"
ITO find Molly; to tell her what
.blockhead i am, and ask her to take
me in hand" responds the man of ac-
ton. at which his companion bursts
into roar.
"T'ime enough for that, Joe. Don't
do it in an abrupt way. Watch you
opportunity. man. The women-bless
Unlike to be wooed and won In the
proper way. Many a girl has been.
frightened into saying no when she
meant yes by the awful abruptness
of her lovers proposal. Besides. l am
just getting to business. Sit down and
behave Yourself
81 suppose I must, but It's too bad
l can't put my fate up to the test. now
that / am all worked up. Ten to one
when the chance comes again I'll prove
to be q miserable coward" mutters
Nfynheer Joe, who is developing some
new and singular traits of late.
Mr.. Grimes taps the forehnger OF
his right hand upon the palm of his
left, as if to give an expression and
force to his words.
Although this proposal Of the bar
'on's was apparently couched in eie-
giant language. there was threat BE-
hind it. He says
What cries Joe. "He dares threat
en- Molly, the miserable hound"
Even so. I don't know but thai,
it Is the custom in his country when
man of the nobility deigns to propose
to one beneath him in their social
rank. The Russians have peculiar
ways as we'll as the Turks and Arabs.
At any rate, this man has avowed tc
make Molly Tanner his wife. and
means to raise Cain if she will nrt
consent to become baroness. He
seems to consider 1t an honor to have
asked her, and takes 1t for granted
she will accept in spite Of her father
or any one else
II always did say he was conceited
ass. His ears give him away" grins
Joe. whose hands are working nerv-
ously, as though in sympathy with his
feelings. He would give all lie ever