The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-06-15

L: THE -: NJ BY Helen
UNDEGEIVED LOVER WNNQ Forrest Graves.


naZeI eyes. anu features, WHICH II not
strictly regular. were sufficiently well
moulded, and possessed the rare merit
of expression.
The last sunset rays were just touch
ing the stone corniceS OF the elegant
mansion that Mrs Gardiner called
her ancestral nheritance"-not DEEM
ing it worth while to mention the
trifiing fact that it was rented from a
Jewish stock broker at thousand dol
lars 4 month-when Mr.. Pelham rang
the doorbPll.
Out of town." lie rel Gated. after
the servant. How unfortunate.
Where has~shc gone, and when did she
go:"
Now, Margery being 4 new servant,
had not yet learned the crooked ways
and wileS of the Gardiner household,
and unwittingly answered the truth.
she's gone to Berksdale, sir, and
maybe she'll be obliged to stay two
or three days, l heard her tell the
missus. It's at Mrs. Darbys, sir,
where"
''Berksdale. eh:'
Mr.. Pelham knew that another train
left within the next hour or so-the
last train that night. and he resolved
to follow his bright beacon star forth
with. Poor fellow, he had reached that
desperate stage in love in which all
spots where the beloved one is not are
bowling wilderneSses.
He slipped q bank bill into Margery's
not unwilling fingers, and hurried Gown
the street.
Il will seek her out. and let her
sweet lips decide my fate at once" he
thought. Marion. How appropriate
is the sweet Scottish name to her pure
and gentle womanliness. All the Mar
ions in poetry and romance are models
of grace and gentleness, and she is no
exception"
you see that Mr.. Pelham was very
much in love.}
BerkSdale was soon reached by the
iron feet Of steam, hut. rapid as the
progress was, it failed to keep pace
with the young mans feverish impa-
tience.
1t was eight o'clock. with full moon
shining upon the fresh spring foliage.
when, after having been duly directed
to Mrs. Darby's, he set forth on his
walk to the secluded village nook.
"Darby-Mrs. Darby? She do be the
one who keeps the old, crazy gentle
man. and rare I'm she is to thump
him round! Oh, yes, sir. Amt more'n
4 mile beyant the big church-a red
house, with big poplar tree in front"
Thus instructed with regard to the
locality. Grey Pelham felt that he
could not well so wrong.
The red house, with big poplar tree
in front, presented no very inviting
aspect as he strode up to the wide
open door. The blinds hung on one
hinge, creeking dolefully in the breeze;
the gate was tied up with loops of
rusty rope, where nails should have
been; and broken crockery. invalided
tinware and heaps of oyster shells
adorned the dooryard in lieu Of vel
vety grass and borders Of flowers.
Grey Pelham, wondering little as
to what business could possibly bring
Marion Delaney to such spot as this,
knocked at the open door. but TO one
responded to the summons.
He knocked again. and yet third
| with nd in
ally walked boldly into little sitting
room, where yawning portals seemed
to invite entrance. A single oil lamp
burned on the table. by whose light he
could just find his way to a chair.
Il suppose may as we'll sit down
here and wait until some one comes"
he said resignedly to himself.
AS he did so, he became aware Of
voices in the adjoining apartment,
raised high in alteration, and Of 4
name spoken in shrill tones-a name
lear and precious in his ears.
Il tell you, Miss Delaney, faint
enough. Two dollars in a week won't
pay his board, let alone the clothes and
| Tue
And Marion's accents, silvery sweet,
answered in low. measured tones:
Two dollars 4 week is a great deal
of money for an old man who can chop
wood. and dig garden, and help you so
much about the house"
"But he won't help. Miss Delaney
he just sits and mopes the whole time.
The doctor says he ought to have
wine"
oh nonsense! I can't afford to buy
him wine! That's all an absurd no.
tionr'
well, he is your own father, Miss
Delaney: fix it any way you please.
and it amt hardly decent to let him
Starve."
You are too eXtravagant in your
ideas. Mrs. Darby. What can an old
man like that want Of new clothes and
dainty fare? l tell you. can't afford
to pay you more than two dollars 4
week: my expenses in New York are
ruinous. and"
Then you may rs we'll send him to
the poorhouse at once, Miss Delaney.
| won't undertake to keep him short
of three dollars. at the very least"
Il don't like to do that" Marion an
swered. hesitatingly, rs if the idea
commended itself to her as not imprac-
ticabe in some respects. People vii:
talk"