The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1904-04-30

Can | DelIeYe that a member Of the PROUD
family of Cliftons has so far forgot her,
self as 10 fall in love with one OF those
common Smith trash. Ben Smith! My
Lord!"
What's wrong about Ben Smith,
she asked, Isn't he honest, sober and
industrious? Hasn't he worked and
scraped and managed every way to get an
education 50 he could teach school? And
hasn'th he saved his money and gone down
to town to study law with Judge Pow
ers?'
All those things were true and the
colonel knew it, but he was in no mood
to listen'to reason.
Whats wrong with Ben Smith," he
snorted. Isn't he a Smith, with no more
family name than a snake? Isn't that
enough"
No. | love Ben for what he is, and
| don't care anything about his family.
| would love him just the same If he
never had an ancestor. It's the man,
what he is himself, that | care for
The colonel stormed. He threatened
10 shoot Ben Smith on sight, and de-
clared he would lock Emily up in a room
if he V knew of her speaking to Ben
Smith again, He further declared that
she should marry the major in spite OF
everything.
That very night Emily and Ben Smith
met. and she told him of the majors
wishes and of the conversation with her
father. Ben listened, his face very pale,
but his lips set close together.
ut is all right" he said finally. 81
have no family record; and | don'tknow
anything about my ancestors. and |
care less; but, in spite of all of that, | am
q better man than Maj. Buck, and some
day | will prove it to your father if we
both live. With your love to cheer me
on | can face the world with a bold heart,
and sweep obstacles from my path as
fast as | meet them. And, no matter what
anybody says. | am sure of your love for
all time"
Yes, to the end Of eternity it Is yours"
she replied.
And some day" he went IN. Il shall
have the right to claim you for my wife"
You have that right now" she u
INJURED. Il would marry you tonight if
you wish it."
He started to take her in his arms, but
suddenly checked himself.
DO not tempt me- he said. Il wish
TO be honorable and honest. and worthy
of your love, but it Is not always easy
To make You my wife O would be like
stepping into Heaven-if | only had the
right. But | must not think of such a
thing. There is too wide a difference be-
tween us. | will not pull you down 70
my level. but | will grow up to yours.
day | will be worthy to claim you,
and then | will claim you, but | must
prove myself first"
81 will wait for you"
81 know you will, but you will not
wait with the impatience | shall"
Zine passed and then by and by there
began to come little scraps of news to
the colonel's ears about things that Ben
was doing down at town. First
he had been admitted to the bar. then he
had won a case of Importance after a
fight that was marvellous for keen man
agement. Then there were rumors that
he was developing into a great orator,
and was forging bis way to the top in
political matters. But all this made lit
lie impression on the colonel, and he was
still bitterly opposed to the idea of a
alliance with the Smiths.
Maj. Buck, although he had about
abandoned all hope Of winning Miss
was not ayerse to making numer-
us and lengthy visits at the Clifton
acme. He enjoyed the colonel's society
very much, and he enjoyed the %colonel's
timers even more. The colonel gave
lin a warm welcome always, for he still
lad hopes of having him as a member
If the family.
But after awhile the major ceased to
make his visits to the colonel, and short
y after that it transpired that the colonel
vas badly involved financially, When
he whole truth came out 1t was found
hat the colonel had been going security
or the major for large sums of money,
md that the major. forgetting his fam
ly honor, had gone away leaving his
lebts for the colonel to pay,
The colonel would have lost every
hing if Ben Smith had not taken mat
ers in hand, and, by resorting to CO.
measures, induced Maj, Buck to
his own debts. This saved the
olonels possessions, and at the same
ime it softened his heart toward Ben
to such an extent that he reluc-
antly consented for Emily to marry him.
lie probably concluded from the con-
fancy OF the two young people that this
'ould inevitably happen sooner or later,
nd thought he might as well give his
onsent and have 1t over. 1t was easy
} see, though, that he was by no means
leased, and that he looked down on Ben
s a creature very much inferior to him
elf.
After the marriage things driftod
long in TIE even tenor of their way, Ben
nd the colonel seeing but little of each
her, and the latter seldom mentioning
10 formers name. All the time, how
yer, Ben was hard at work, building up
law practice and making friends; and
e and Emily were quite happy in their
reat love. They found they could get
ong very well without the %colonel's
although they would have been
ad to have had 1t.
Four Or five years passed, then n
ly the news came that Ben had been ;
ected to congress. Right then and there
colonel gave In and acknowledged
lat his idea had been all wrong, and
lat, family or no family, Ben Smith was
rrnat man cnd uorthy tn nCernioJo 4