The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-06-14

~ not -N
put it away, Madge"
He laid violent hands upon the man
uscript lying beside the typewriter at
(which Madge MargetSon was employed
and flung the offending document into
kfhe~ crate. whence the girl retrieved it
before answering.
"For shame, Philip" she exclaimed,
with Indignation not wholly simulated.
f'It belongs to one of my best clients
it is his last novel, indeed-and I have
no end of trouble to make out his writ
ing at any time. Now you have made
BIT more difficult than ever for me-"
She smoothed the crumpled sheets,
ftenderly, while the young man, some
&what abashed, watched her closely.
"I'm awfully sorry, DEAR" he apollo
gized; "but I was really so delighted at
the idea that you may get rid of this
5horrid work for something more con-
genial that I did not stop to think.
BForgive me, won't your
he had come very near to her, but
she moved away.
"Ill pardon you upon two condi-
&tions," she returned, maintaining her
severity. "One is that you sit down.
the other. that you tell me coherently
what this wonderful plan Of yours is"
He seated himself as she bid, and she
presumed her place at the machine, but
facing him.
you know" ne began, shat in two
days time 1 leave, along with my IN
Gle, Professor Kruse, to whom I am
10 act as secretary and assistant while
he explores the mounds of Tarka, III
Asia Minor"
The listener nodded.
THAT" she commented, CURLY, sis
fddlers' news; we have discussed it for
weeks past"
"Pray note" he retorted. mischiev-
ously, "that I am making up for my
precipitation just now by putting every
thing plainly. Therefore, permit me
TO add that we two are engaged, but 1
have nothing to marry upon except
what I get from my uncle, who disap-
proved of marriage on principle, and,
verify believe, of all women, save
Miss Miriam Morgan.
"This Miss Morgan wants a compan-
ION who understands cuneiform writ
ing, and has sought vainly for n pos
sessing such an unusual accomplish
ment. 1 told her of you, and Of how,
30 assist your late father in his Assy-
eian researches you had learned some
Thing Of it. She deputed me to ask
bfers ten pounds monthly by way of
balary."
Madge's strong, handsome face
lighted up.
sit would suit me, certainly" she ad-
nitted; "but what kind Of a woman is
Miss Morgan, and what reason has she
for such an extraordinary require
nent?"
"She is very rich, good natured,
tout and nearer fifty than forty"
punton summarized in reply, "and
kince she has known my uncle has de-
Feloped a craze for his special line Of
tudy, about which, however, she is
extremely stupid. You are sure to like
ker.'
This prophecy proved correct. Madge
lid take to Miss Morgan, and that lady
e%ciprocated the feeling; in fact, the
- blowing afternoon, when Professor
kruse, along with his nephew, called
b bid her farewell, they found ner full
{ praise Of the new companion. with
Fhom she had arranged that morning.
"Such q dear girl" she gushed, "and
b pretty-Eot at all like one who knew
Bhything about that wonderful cruel
Drm writing
"Cuneiform," corrected the profess
bra spare. aScetic man. st is GER
ainly unusual for a woman to under
land it. But what better occupation
build she have than its study?" he de-
landed, with that enthusiasm for his
pbby which characterized him.
what better" reiterated Miss Nor
pm, her rubicund color flushing to
timson. why. she could marry, Of
P~urse-that would be a higher occupa-
On" 90.
ri don't agree with you" the profess
pr retorted bluntly. mo woman with
Fientifc talents should marry-it is a
criice Of her genius at the shrine of
mere man-a moral %suicide-an utter
iquity.
81 trust to be able to send you from
Rrka," he went on, as though he were
the lecture room, "the clay tablets
caring the records Of the hopes and
ars, the ambitions and the disap-
5intments of 1900 years ago. With
BUR young friends help you will be
lie to decipher these writings, which
mortal eye has read for that period.
hat commonplace, ~present-day mar
hge can equal such an experienced"
You mentioned that BEFORE re-
onded the lady. evading the direct
lie. land that was what gave me the
ia Of getting a companion who could
ad them to me. But you will write
me yourself. professor"
My work will so engross me-" he re-
rned, still in the same vein of awk-
ard gallantry. that 1 fear l must ask
u tc accept the sentiments of the
blets as mine. l shall select suitable
eS. and am sure you will be inter
bed"
Miss Morgan sighed again, and did
still more deeply when shortly after
visitors took their leave.