The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-09-03
CHATTER XtL
CONTINUED.

fag's face; but no person, however
skilled in physiognomy, could have
read its meaning. Ia some way, it
might have reminded one of that flash
of hope now aud again seen III the face
OF man on the eve his execution.
"It is 50 seldom that can sitin
beautiful room like this and converse
with" He checked himself; he was
speaking rs if half in soiiloquy. "I
shall never forget" lie went on, with
n slight effort, show beautiful these
rooms were the other evening""
SIT is very kind OF you to remem-
bsr it. The house was lovely"
"And you, too. were as lovely as an
angel. I shall never forget how you
looked"
The color came quickly to Pauline's
cheeks and lips; but fattery was tol-
cradle in those days; aud besides when
q mau is serious and sincere, it is not
in woman's nature to resent his ad
niration.
"My dress was one thst my grand
mother wore when she was q girl, only
T had it done over" she replied, with
o naive show of interest in the subject.
tsEvery one said that it was very
quaint and becoming. L like those
old things. Don't you?"
'It was you that became The dress;
you made it beautiful; you charmed
everybody. The dress was nothing"
Pauline felt . sudden desire to RUIZ
away from him, and yet, perhaps, she
would not gone il she had been under
NO obligation to stag.
'sThe occasion was e1hilarating,"
shs managed to say, with the most in
different air. 'I am especially proud
that every one enjoyed it; for, you
know, it was tie first party I ever
gave. Aud didn't you think Made
noiselle de Sezaupes beautiful? She
captivased all the gentlemen; but
then, she always does with her superb
way and"
''She looks like a Spanish Jevess,"
said Loring. interruptirg her.
''But she is not like one, Colonel
Loring," replied Pauline.
'I beg PARDON ] did not mean to
imply criticism. Mademomoiselle de
Sezsnnes impressed me very pleas
antly."
He arose as il to take his leave.
tBut you promised my mother to
wait till she returned" said Pauline,
arising also. "You have not forgot
temp"
HNo; I will wait. Bot I never sit
long. I have this way of getting on
my feet almost involnntarily. seem
to be made for-to be upright"
He smiled and made a gesture to
signify he was chatting, then added:
'.But keep your seat, Miss Vernon;
L will walk to and fro, if you will per-
NIT it, while we contine our CONVEX
sSsiou. Do you know this is more
hike happiness than anything that has
coma to me for years. I must make
the most OF it,
He pushed toward her the chair in
which he he'd been sitting.
4 She sat down, and when she looked
Z With her bright smile, her dark,
vivacious eyes seemed to dazzle him.
He turned about and walked with a
light, singularly springiug step across
the room and back.
NMy father is restless in this way
som etimes," she said, "and walks the
floor like tiger in q cage. When 1
ask him why he does it, he always
SAYS that he is thinking of the sea.
You know he was q sailor long time
ago"
':I am more receptive when in mo.
zion, can think more clearly, can shake
of ft of discomfort more easily. I
walk back and forth when wish to
aud when I wish to forget.
Did you ever wish to forget any
thing?"
He stopped in front OF her, with his
head high. His face irradiated o
light, his attitude had fine
touch of the dramatic the
melo -dramatic-in it. What was it
that he could not forget? What was
he trying to fasten forever in his
"I forget nearly everything that
I ought to keep in mind" sho said,
scarcely knowing what her words
were. "I wish had good memory"
"It is bad wish. II could for
get everything-the whole past, the
whole world, everything but the pres
ent moment as it passes-I could be
happy. Some one has said that the
past is cemetery, o place in which
We bury dead experiences. Memory
is ghoul; it digs up nothing but
coroses."
He was walking back and forth
again with his strong chin elevated,
his muscular shoulders thrown back,
while his thin, firm lips seemed to
writhe around his words. The cords
in his neck stood out as if they bore
a great strain.
.'My life has been so happy and Sc
said Pauline, speaking