The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-08-11

I "
husband, or to employ less offensive
description of him.
"Impossibler exclaimed Mr.. Price;
"you are not madr'
80 dear no." replied Miss Marsh very
! coolly: Il believe not. Are you, sir:'
Il am heartily sorry for you," said
Mr.. Price, closing the hand upon which
he had been exhibiting very fine
ring, and replacing that bauble in his
pocket. Il should have thought that
one Truman would have been suffi-
cient for your family. If not for all
America. If you knew all l could tell
you. your plan for your future life
would differ very widely from that
which you have adopted, even If were
still excluded from It."
'If my sisters husband were here l
have no doubt he would be able to eff
fectually reply to your insult said
Miss Marsh Indignantly.
81 have insulted nobody" protested
Mr.. Price. What l have said is true,
and so is what am going to say. The
English country boy who has been your
companion to-day Is unworthy OF your
hand. He is what called him-an
English country boy, without fortune,
experience, or, so far as I have OBJ
served, talent. He belong to family
which has enjoyed exceptional social
advantages for more than 500 Years.
vet in all that time no one member Of
it has distinguished himself in any
walk Of life. Such social position as
has has been theirs Is now on the wane.
The Squire Of Holdenhurst has scarce
ly yet reached middle age. and "a long
time must probably elapse before
young Ernest succeeds to his estate
poor property, worth, perhaps, some
six or seven hundred year at most.
decreasing in value every year, and
perhaps soon to be confscated by the
revolutionary legislation which now
prevails in England"
81 know nothing of all this, and am
not much interested in it, but my sis
ter's husband is Truman. and the
people here do not account him dull
man."
That is true admit. Still, if your
sister We're as free as you are now, l
have that in my pocket which would
prevent her marrying him.
Indeed" exclaimed Miss Marsh,
"that is more interesting than credi-
ble''
"Still, it is true" persisted Mr.. Price.
''No family was ever more glaringly
misnamed than that of Holdenhurst-
it has never produced true man, and
the one clever member of it, your
brother-in-law. counteracts his ability
by his falsity. His faithlessness to
his wife, to whose father was due his
first step toward the great success he
has achieved, is deplorable. The letter
l have in my pocket reveals state of
affairs which in this country would
enable your sister to obtain divorce
from her husband. Will you read it,"
II take no interest in it, assure you.
Ny sister is happy, and has no wish
for a divorce, but even were that not
so, it would not be my affair."
Accepting as final your rejection OF
my suit, my last request-made to you
in the hope that you will pause and re-
feet before you change your own fair
name for the tarnished name Of Tru-
man-is that you will read this letter.
1t reached me this merning from the
Rev. Mr.. Fuller rector Of Holdenhurst
Major 1t is very brief, and will not
engage your attention for more than
two or three minutes. Surely, Miss
Marsh, you will do so much to oblige
a bitterly disappointed man."
"Very we'll, l will read it since you
so greatly wish it, and extending her
delicate little hand, my Constance took
from Mr.. Price letter which he
pleadingly extended toward her.
The first part of this colloquy great
ly infamed that consciousness of vic
tory which had possessed me ever since
Constance Marsh had declared herself
mine. Mr.. Prices TRADE against my
family, and particularly his animad-
versions on myself, amused me. But
it was plainly apparent that the peru
sal by Constance of letter from the
Rev. Mr.. Fuller, detailing the circum-
stance Of my uncle Sans connection
with Annie Wolsey, might be fraught
with very serious consequences to sew
eral persons. 1 resolved to interrupt
the reading, and returned to my Con-
stance as speedily as could, this time
happily without delay, but when
reached the other side Of the screen
l found that Constance had risen from
her seat, and that Mr.. Price was walk |
ing away from her, a malicious leer
upon his fa .e as he replaced letter in
his pocketbook.
"Well, darling Connie" l said. Il
have heard nearly all. You are brave, !
faithful little woman. But why are !
you so pale? Thank God, the worst
that envious wretch can say or do is
powerless to affect us