The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-03-30

ESM NEl son, tne Qear, OIu Ilau WAS
paraYZed with dismay. and all the re.
lations and friends who knew Miss
/. SmitherSon We're paralyZed, too, and
expressed their opinion that my uncle
had been thwarted through the mach
nations of old Smitherson.
This was ten years or so before /
was born. BY that time the lady had
quarreled with half her husbands re-
lations, and by the time was eighteen
she had Quarreled with. the other half.
only excepting myself, TO whom, for
some unaccountable reason, she had
conceived violent and somewhat en-
barrassing affection. AS by this time
my parents were dead and had left
their children very ill-provided for, we
thought it better from prudential mo-
tives to encourage this affection, my
aunt being one of our few prosperous
relations. and our only wealthy one, as.
In addition to her own fortune, she had
caused my late uncle TO make will
leaving her absolute mistress Of all he
possessed: so when he died she was
worth considerable fortune. Her
two sons were entirely dependent on
herzcapriccs. and as she had already
quarreled violently with the elder,
there was every chance that she might
leave me comfortable income.
therefore responded with hypocritical
warmth to her fond overtures, and al
ways accepted her frequent and press
ing Invitations. though / reaped much
WEAKNESS and not little irritation
from her eyacting society.
These visits were. however, rendered
endurable by the society of my cousin
Edgar. the younger and favorite son.
of whom was really very fond. and
with whom sometimes even fancied
myself in love when wearied with the
excessive ardor of Cyril Cavendish. an
impecunious bank clerk, who had fixed
his youthful affections upon me. and
whose assurances as to my personal
charms were often a great comfort to
me when wounded IN spirit by the
plain speaking of my brothers.
/, One day Edgar came to me with
greatly perturbed expression; and said
he wanted me to help him out of a
difficulty. I said l would do my best.
and. after some beating about the
bush, he informed me that he was
deeply in love with Augusta Denaby.
a rather pretty girl who lived in the
next parish.
Augusta Denaby-' exclaimed
"Why, you know Aunt Maria detests
her and would cut you OF with
dollar il You ventured to marry her.
That's just the difficulty" respond
ed Edgar. "Just because Mrs. Den
=aby offended mother dozen years
lago, she hasn't good word to say for
Sany of the family. She has hardly
spoken to any Of them, and. believe,
has never even seen Augusta. l am
sure. if she once got to know her. she
couldn't help liking her. and now that
Mrs. Denaby is dead, there's no reason
the enmity should be kept up. But
you see, kitty, mother has made up
her mind that you and are to marry
each other. and she is expecting me to
propose to you while you are here"
''B4 don't want to marry YOU"
returned, with some warmth, Cyril
suddenly becoming precious iii my
sight.
Il know you DON'T" replied Edgar,
"and I don't want to marry you. so
we are of one mind on that point. But,
You see, Kitty, shall get no peace
till | ask you; so what | want you to
do is to refuse me, and then l can tell
mother that you wouldn't have me,
and l shall be reduced to despair and
90 off and marry Augusta. and mother
will throw all the blame upon you.
Then We shall gradually work round,
So that mother will get to know. and
ikeAugusta, and AL will end happily -
I was filled with indignation at this
suggestion. Mean. selfish fellow. Why
should be sacrificed, just to further
his own ends, and be deprived of the
comfortable provision for the future
upon which l was depending at my
aunt's death? l resolved upon re-
yenge.
very WELL" said I, coldly. 81 will
do what can for you. But you arc
sure your mother wants Us to marry ~
Yes; she asked me only this morn
ing if l had proposed yet he replied.
Very well, then, do So" said |.
''Well, then, Kitty, will you be my
wife," said Edgar.
With pleasure I responded, with
n sweet smile.
But, kitty, you must refuse me-
sail Edgar, much taken aback.
Il shall Go nothing OF the sort" said
1, with gentle firmneSs. Far be ii
from me 10 go against the wishes OF my
dear aunt, to whom owe SO nluch. I
shall go and tell her ut once Aow nap
py you have made me-"
did, and my aunt embraced ne
warmly, almost with tears, and | EN-
braced her with equal fervor. and tol:i
her that / could never do enough ~
show my a(atitude.
My aunt insisted that we should be
married at once, only allowing time for
the purchase of an elaborate trousseau
with which she intended to provide
me. -
The unfortunate Edgar was nearly
distracted. To break off his engage
ment with me would incense his moth