The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-06-08


no account was any one allowed to en-.
ter his domain. save the necessary ser.
wants and tradesmen.
One warm summers afternoon Sir
Giles was being drawn in his bath
chair across the lawn, thence along 4
narrow pathway until the wall was
reached. Under the tree there was q
comfortable lounge chair, in which,
with the help of his footman, Sir Giles
took his seat.
Push me little nearer the wall" he
cried, irritably. Now you can go.
Come back al o'clock"
The baronet gazed after the footman
until he disappeared among the trees.
He then proceeded to displace stone
near the bottom of the wall. His fin
gers groped around, and he gave sigh
of deep satisfaction.
mo letter. They will come, then"
x quarter Of an hour passed. and he
tapped his fingers impatiently on the
magazine which lay in his lap.
That's the boy" he muttered. as
there came soft rustlinG OF dried
leaves.
''She is late'
The voice was impatient.
Sir Giles chuckled softly.
1.-The impatience of youth"
A glad cry was heard, the sound of
kiss, then another kiss.
THE girl now," the old man said
softly.
Twenty years Of solitude had left
their marks on his face AS he listened
to the love chatter of the young couple
on the other side of the wall his face
gradually softened.
Not always had he been the recluSe
and misanthrope. There was no proud
er and happier man than Sir Giles had
been some twenty years ago. His life
and hopes were centercd in his son
Jack, fine, manly young fellow, such
as would gladden. any fathers heart.
The quarrel was sudden one. The
Eereason-a woman. Hard words We're
exchanged, for they were both pos
-sessed of the Travis temper. A part
ing in anger and two months after
ward news came of Jacks death. Not
lire OF &c had been left for his
father.
The blow was terrible one 10 Sir
Giles. He closed his heart TO all hui
mar sympathy and retired to the seclu-
sion of Travis Towers.
a few months afteTward he was
stricken with paralysis, and the long
years bad been wearisome with suffer
ing and cnnui.
new interest had come into his life.
The whole pretty love comedy seemed
TO have been played within earshot.
When first they met there was the
difference of youth. Their voices at
first were louder. but us their love in
creased their seats on the fallen tree
without the wall grew closer together.
and their voices were lowered when
they began 10 exchange sweet loving
nothings.
A week ago the boy had declared his
passion. The old mans heart seemed
to unfreeze and grow human again as
he listened to the passionate pleading
of the lover. the shy, timid answer,
and the frenzied kisses that were eX-
changed.
Only twice since that day had they
met, and a cloud had appeared on loves
horizon.
what did he say:" she asked,
eagerly.
"He refused absolutely" he an
swered, mournfully.
What reason did he give, Jack?"
she demanded. Indignantly.
''Your guardian told me that was
q pennileSs adventurer. and that it was
your money l was AFTER" he replied,
moodily.
"The wretch. But it doesn't matter.
We can marry without him.
Il did not know YOU had so much
money. dear one. You are rich ard
have nothing
'But we have love-"
eve can't live on that. 1t is true
have my profession, but i have only
just become doctor, and it is an uphill
game unless one has money to buy Il
practice. l have none
Did lie not hold out any hopc:' she
asked, TREMENDOUSLY.
"Yes. He said that if could prove
tc him that l had practice which
would bring in five hundred yeal
he would give his consent. must
say that he is reasonable, but"
'Will it take you very long to gain
such prd tice:"
years"
''Let us marry at once" she cried
Gmpulsiyely. Il don't mind being
poor"
There was = silence and Sir Gle!
looked irritably at the hole.
AZ have made up my mind. dear"
YVES"