Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-06
A Temporary Revival of Ara&e-Bellaam Customs
That Brought Chivalrous Young Man a Bride
BY WILL n. III a r B EN-

seeming to bel thought, perhaps l was wrong
but thought she pleased to have me make
this visit
The old man grunted and began to pull at his
cigar again. "Oh, that must count for nothing.
She could not have received attentions from YOU as
she did in Augusta without earnestly desiring to
make you welcome here, poor as Our opportunity
is"
Then | have had no encouragement at ALL said
Hamburg, crestfallen. Indeed Colonel | can think
of nothing from which l could gather the
slightest hope"
"Oh, don't look at it that way You must not
be discouraged by my silly talk. I don't know
women never did"
The lamps were now lighted in the parlor behind
the two men, and through of the big windows
they saw Evelyn at the piano. You might as well
go speak to her now" said the Colonel, throwing
away his cigar-"no, I'll send her out here; it's
inside
When he saw her coming, Hamburg felt himself
turning cold from head to foot. As she drew near
he reached out for of the big veranda chairs
and placed it for her, remaining standing.
She looked at him almost inquiringy for a
moment and then sat down. CHANGING at another
chair near him, she motioncd for him to take it.
Not till have spoken to you" he said, bending
slightly toward her. do you remember Miss
H2Sbrook, that you complnented me on
having the courage to approach those Northern
capitalists that big deal in real estate?''
Quite we'll" she told him. And | was right
for it your courage that made the venture sue
coed | have heard many of your friends say that.
They said one else could have put it through
We'll it may have been sort of courage
Hamburg admitted, with little forced laugh; but
there is another that l have not got-it is the
courage to tell you frankly about something that is
more important to me than all the land deals in the
word-nore important than life itself | have
spoken to your father, and want to tell you that
| love you and that want to devote my whole life
to your happiness
She drew herself erect in her chair The move
1nent brought her face into the light of one of the
lamps in the parlor and he surprised an expression
of tender sympathy on her features that thrilled
him through and through. She motioned again
to the chair. sit down. she said softly. Il
want to talk to YOU
He obeyed, drawing the chair near to hers.
You doubt that | could enough for YOU
to become your wife?" she asked, still gently
and sweetly
You have given me no reason to hope So, he
said. 1T is only my mad love for you that has
driven to this. l to know my fate in
sheer desperation. | must know the worst and
be prepared to grapple with it. The fear of losing
you coupled with this fresh sight of you in your
own home, has simply unnamed me-
She raised her hand to her face, her uncovered
elbow rested on the broad of the chair Beyond
the avenue along the main road some was carry
ing a torch of pine. From of the occupied
cabins of the "quarter" the sonorous song
of black mother singing a child to sleep; there
was the dull humping of rockerless chair;
the wide fields the stars shining.
When she spoke she removed her hand from her
face and her voice shook with emotion she tried
in vain to control You would honor any woman
in the world Mr.. Hanbury, with such proposal
and | wish | could say all that you want me to
say tonight; but l really don't know if love you
wife should love such husband as know you
would make her | reSDeCt YOU more than anyone