The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1905-02-22

Jim Mears, stalwart and with q hand
like q foot, Jared no better, and when
Albert rallied her once about young
Mears she answered, ooh, Jim's all
right; he isn't handsome, but, then,
he Is strong" which delicate sarcasm
may be considered n sufficient reflex Of
her feelings toward others OF the would
be attentive young farmers.
But for all that Alice was counted in
on every festive gathering. IL It was n
barn dance, she was always there and
never lacked partners, and when the
jolly party rode home In a big wagon
filled with straw it was her voice that
always started "The Quilting Party
or other old time ballad usually inspir-
ed by moonlight. When a strawberry
festival vas I'm order at the church, she
was given a post of honor. and when
Christmas decorations were necessary
every young man felt It n privilege to
obey her orders, AT home she was the
same winsome little queen and had no
more devoted subject than her brother.
For q month after the funeral no
worried q good deal. he knew that
bills had been left unpaid through his
mothers illness and that Ia, family
were in straitened circumstances. His
w law practice So far had yielded
scant returns, and what to do and
where TO turn was q puzzle. He wrote
to q former classmate whose father
was a prominent merchant in Boston
stating his situation and asking advice.
1t was two weeks ere he received n re-
ply, and then, though Cordial letter
Of sympathy, 1t did not go far toward
solving the problem. a week later,
however, came a letter from a lawyer
I'm that city Of the name Of Frye offer
ing him Il position as assistant in his
office at a small salary. 1t was so small
that Albert thought it a hopeless task
to pay homo expenses out Of 1t and
leave anything toward their debts. 1t
was more than his present income, how
ever. and yet to accept the offer and
leave Amt Susan and Alice alone
seemed hard. On the other hand, to
borrow money on what little Of the
farm was left did not help matters, for
when that was gone what then?
Matters came to a climax one day
and ended his indecision. He had been
away from his Office all hat afternoon
taking n long stroll In the woods to es.
cape his loneliness, md, returning at
tea time, found u cloud on his sisters
face.
"Mr. Hobbs called this afternoon"
she said as they sat down to the table,
"and asked for you. Said he went to
your Office and, not finding you in,
came here" And then she added. with
q culver In her voice, ooh, BERTHE, we
W. lt,p ox-n a, l,,nIr4I tt-
The trouble was all out now, and AL
bert looked gloomy. IL don't think my
more OF him for coming here to dun
Us" he answered savagely. "ae might
have waited until he saw me-"
"Oh, he was very nice about It," re-
sponded Alice, "and begged my pardon
Tor speaking Of 1t. He said there was
no hurry, only that he had made out
his bill as a matter of form, etc, and
we could pay 1t when convenient"
Albert made no further comment,
but when the meal was ended said,
Come out on the porch, sis, and let lis
talk matters over" She followed him.
feeling there was trouble coming, and,
drawing her low chair next to his.
placed one elbow on his chair arm and
SofSieu hcT luce WIFI tlil Hunu. TOT
n few moments he remained silent,
watching the 1refies beginning their
evening dance over the meadow and
listening to the distant call OF q whip
poorwill. Across the valley the village
lights were coming In eight one by
one, II q faint odor OF new moVvn
hay came to him. The pathetic little
figure at his side unnerved him, how
ever, and he dreaded to say what he
must.
"Well, Sis" he said at last, give kept
matters from you as long as I can. We
not only owe Hobbs a good deal, but
as much more in smaller bills to 9th
ers, and there is no money to pay
them. I've worried about them more
than you know or than I cared to have
you. One Of two things must be done,
either borrow money n pay these
bills or I must go away and carr
some"
Then the little head beside him sunk
slowly to his chair, and as he began
stroklng 1t he added: Owe written to
Frank Mason, my old college chum,
and through him have received n fair
offer to go TO Boston and have decided
to accept 1t. 1 shall leave here as soon
as I can get ready"
The trouble was growing serious
now, and as he ceased speaking he
caught II 10 sound of q suppressed sob.