Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1904-08-03
LOVES TRAGEDY.
How a Girl Was Won.

dow, humming softly, with Il fine air
of Indifference. The man was leaning
his back against the mantelpiece,
gloomily observing the points of his
boots.
They were good boots, but hardly
worth the amount of serious observa-
tion he was giving them. To any per.
son of moderate understanding the sit.
uation was obvious. To the two actors
in it 1t was becoming embarrassing.
The man moved first.
"You are sure your mind Is made up,
GeorgieT
The girl stopped humming abruptly
and turned round.
''What is the use Of beginning
again?" she said, with an impatient
movement you know one cannot
serve two masters. am going to give
my life. to my art"
But, Georgle, you know what X
means to me. l mean you know
could never change or forget"
"Why not?" she returned quickly.
"That is just what | wanted to speak
to you about You see"-and her proud
only want wife who can see that you
get good dinner every day and sew
the buttons on your shirts. You have
known us all for years. Why do you
expect me, the impractical one of the
family, to snatch at the offer of this
post? You would have shown more
sense in asking Madge or Lillian, and
dare say one of them might have had
you"
For a moment there was dangerous
CLEAN in his eyes, but it changed to
tender look of amusement as the girl
flung herself viciously into chair
with the air of a sulky child.
81 suppose it would have been more
sensible" he agreed "only ! don't love
either Madge or Lillian. If you will on.
ly have me-" he continued, n twinkle in
his eye and abject humility In his
voice, 81 will do my best to overcome
my disgraceful appetite and dine off
sentimental song If you deem it best.
l will also look out for some patent
shirt fasteners which will save you the
trouble of sewing on buttons"
George looked up quickly.
"iou needn't try to be funny, Rexw
she said severely. "You know quite
well should have to become domes-
ticatcd woman If | married, and l
won't. am going TO devote my life to
music. and If | were to sacrifice that
you in fortnight and hate you ina
month. There; that's allw
Rex looked up quickly.
''You would stop loving me in fort
night" he asked. "rhen l may infer
you have begun already?"
"iou may infer nothing, sirw she re-
tortcd sharply, but her face was Grim
son.
by Jovc, that's the nearest I've ever
got" thought Rex. 81 believe she does
half like me, but must make her cave
in before she'll respect me-"
There was Il moments pause, then he
said gently:
IL beg your pardon, George. l be-
licve you may he right. after all.
though it is hard to think of giving you
up And he sighed softly, but resign
cdly. "lf you are not too angry with
me, will you tell me which you think it
would be best for me to try to like,
Lillian or Madge?'
II am so glad. Rex, you are sensible
at last! Really, have thought it out
carefully, and, though Lillian Is awful
ly sweet and-and everything, | think
Madge Is the one best suited to YOU.
You see. she cooks Splendldly and
knows exactly how everything ought
to he done in Il house and would be
nnIInrflr SnfiSfnI 4.
once Il month or so and occasionally
said the dinner was excellent. She
really would. she is so easily pleased.
While / Wen, you know what l
am"
YES, | know what YOU are," he re-
piled quietly. "You are very young"
She misunderstood him. as he had
intended she should, and assentcd
eagerly.
"Ies, | am young-only 10-and you
are nearly 30. Madge is nearest you
In age, and | believe you could make
her love you if you tried"
Shall | try? DO you want me to?"
"Ics, OF course | want you to. 1t is
for your own sake. She would make
you better wife than | because
don't want even to be loved. am
satisfied with my life as 1t is."
"All right, Georgle. In a month
shall have made up my mind, and
will tell you. Goodby,"
"Goodby," she murmured, vaguely
afraid of what she had done She
tried to reason out the cause of her de-
preston, but 1t seemed to have no
cause, and with tagging step she
made her way to the sunny den which
she shared with her sisters.
Madge was sitting there alone, sew
ing and singing gayly. She looked up,
with n smile, as George entered, and
an unusual merriment danced in her
eyes.
Guess who's been here?" exclaimed
Madge.
"Who?"
"Rex. And he's got box for The
Loves Of Henrietta tomorrow, and he's
asked mother and me to go"
"Tm so glad" said GcOrgic, but with
singular want Of enthusiasm.
And Madge stole furtive look at
her, and the corners of her mouth
quivercd.
a month had passed. Once more
George stood at tie same window,
softly humming. She was waiting for
Rex, and her face was very pale. 1t
was the same face still, but there was
q difference, the difference which
marks every girls face when she be-
comes woman.
She had learned her lesson and borne
bpI' nm jShpnnnt m Gilnnnn
Today she had ncrvcd herself for
supreme effort that she might do no
wrong to the sister who had stepped
into the place she had voluntarily re.
signed.
She had thought love not worth the
sacrifice OF art, and If art without love
had turned to dust and ashes I'm her