The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-06-01
Ole SAVING
REVELATION
By virginia Leila Wentz
Copyrt1ht, 1905, BY TSrvtnta Letld Ve'ltz

the jangle of sleighbells In the air
people, for the most part, making for
home, because the strong wind which
had suddenly swept up the city streets
was now driving a dizzy herd Of snow
fakes before It.
Women sitting in their sleighs, un-
| der the full stare Of the setting sun,
did not feel their rugs and furs one
whit too heavy. Down In the city's
narrow streets and wind swept tene
ments the poor drew their shawls and
coat collars higher round gray, pinched
faces.
Helena Christy had to hold her toque
on with both hands. Her cheeks and
lips were as red as June roses. Some
chiffon ribbons blew out from under
her furs and tapped across her COM
panion's face. They had the faint scent
Of some flower or other. Whatever II
was. it was the scent he loved best in
the world.
But If either the woman or the per-
fume awakened any sentiment In him
the expression Of the Hon. Kelsie Sid
dons did not show it. His handsome,
manly face wore the aspect of stern
restraint habitual to him.
As he leaned against the sleigh cush-
ions and behed the diminishing per-
spective Of electric light pricking itself
out down the snowy drive, caught sight
Of the blue mounted police on their
mettlesome steeds and recognized IA
miliar faces in the long procession of
sleighs and carriages rolling northward,
he was conscious of only one thing-he
had set out on this drive with the fixed
purpose Of asking the woman beside
him to become his wife. And her home
Law Just at the lower end Of the park.
He was a man who never went back
on his fixed purposes.
AS they were turning out Of the park
on Fifty-ninth street Helena was say
ing:
"The woman who is worth while new
er undertakes the offer Of marriage
from any man. Be he much or little, 1t
is the greatest compliment be can pay
her. Coming from you, my friend, such
a compliment is the more to be valued.
But cannot marry you"
The man did not answer at once.
Neither did the expression Of his face
seem to change. He tucked the hap
robe around her little more securely.
"Do you know" he remarked when
he had finished with the fur robe, I'D
like to trespass a little further some
time and ask permission to discuss the
matter with your They were pulling
up in front Of the big white stone apart
ment house where she lived
"As said," came back Helena's
voice lightly as she undtd his work OF
robe tucking, "fn asking me to marry
you you paid me great compliment
In exchange, dare say, owe you per-
mission to indulge your hobby for ar
gument and discussion. Come in now,
won't you, and have some tea with me?
I warn you no amount Of argument can
profit either Of us; but still, come"
Within, behind heavily curtafned win
dows, in sharp contrast to the biting
cold without, were sweet warmth, soft
rugs, draped screens, shaded lamps, all
the dainty plenishings Of modern bou-
doir. In the fast growing dusk the fire.
light flashed on the little silver kettle
beginning to steam at the spout; on the
Dresden and old Worcester ware on the
ebony tea table; on the woman who
had drawn q low cushioned chair close
beside it.
1.-THE situation Is like this" the man
was saying in rather much the same
tone Of voice he would have used in ar
guing an important case before the su-
preme court: "You are thirV-or is 1t
thirty-one? You have reputation as a
brilliant, beautiful woman and all that.
You can, am aware, marry any one
Of three or four men who can offer
quite as much as I, but modesty was
never characteristic Of mine. And I
can give you almost anything you wish
that costs money. I stand we'll in my
profession-ciose to the top Of It, In
fact. am not yet forty. On the whole,
a marriage between us might be what
is termed very suitable match"
The woman smiled openly. Does the
prosecution here close its defense?'
Her father also had been q Judge.
Sugar and cream? Yes? Well, here!'
She deftly poured out the fragrant
drink.
As the man reached for his cup be
looked at her a trife perplexed.
"Are you offendedy' be asked. 'I've
made an offer Of marriage in perfect
ly businesslike way, having heard you
often declare that a marriage contract
is like any other contract and should be
entered into only when both parties are
aware of what they are doing and are
rid Of glamour"
His companion paid him the tribute
Of a lingering glance in which ques-
I