The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-05-02

ton was necessary. st know all about
him, Babs," he said one day after he
felt sure of his position. ''Why, his
father was honored by the V. C. on the
coast in 40"
1.-The Victoria crosse" asked Barbara
innocently.
No, the vigilance committee
In this way Monty routed the enc
my and cleared the field before the end
Of another week. Grimes transferred
his Objectionable affection, and Barba-
"a was not even asked to be wife No.
5. Brewster's campaign was so ardent
that he neglected other duties deplora-
bly,, falling far behind his improvident
average. With Grimes disposed of, he
once more forsook the battlefield Of
love and gaye his harassed and undi-
vided attention to his own peculiar
business.
The fast and loose game displeased
Miss Barbara greatly. She was at first
surprised, then piqued, then resentful.
Monty gradually awoke to the distress
ing fact that she was going to be in
racta bic, as he put it, and forthwith
undertook to smooth the troubled sea.
To his amazement apd concern, she
was not to be appeased.
docs it occur to you, Monty" she
said, with a gentle coldness that was
Infinitely worse than heat, "that you
have been carrying things with a pret-
ty high hand? Where did you acquire
the right to interfere with my privi-
leges: You seem to think that 1 am
not to speak to any man but you
..Oh, come, now, Babs," retorted
Monty, .sI've not been quite as un-
reasonable as that. And you know
yourself that Grimes is the worst kind
Of bounder."
81 know nothing Of the sort replied
the lady, with growing irritation. 'sYou
say that about every man who gives
me a smile or flower. Does it indi-
cate such arocious taste?'
s:Don't be silly, Barbara. You know
perfectly well that you have talked to
Gardner and that idiot Valentine by
the hour, and I've not said a word.
But there are some things I can't
stand, and the impertinence of Grimes
is one Of them. Joye! BE looked at
YOU out Of those fshy eyes sometimes
as though he owned you. # you knew
how many times I've fairly ache0 to
knock him down.
Inwardly Barbara was weakening
little before his masterfulness. But
she gave no sign.
"And it never occurred to you" she
said. with that exasperating GOODNESS Of
voice, ..that 1 was equal to the situa-
ton. I suppose you thought Mr..
Grimes had only to beckon and
would joyfully answer. I'll have you
know, Monty Brewster, right now that
I am quite able to choose my friends
and to handle them. Mr.. Grimes has
character, and / like him. He has seen
more Of life in a year Of his strenuous
career than you ever dreamed Of in all
your pampered existence. His life has
been real. Monty Brewster, and yours
is only an imitation"
It struck him hard, but it left him
gentle.
.Babs," he said softly. 81 can't take
that from you. You don't really mean
it. do you? Am I as bad as that?'
It was a moment for dominance, and
he missed it. His gentleness left her
cold.
aMonty," she exclaimed irritably,
s.you are terribly exasperating. Do
make up your mind that you and your
million are not the only things in the
world.''
His blood was up now, but it flung
him away from her.
Some day perhaps you'll find out
that there is not much besides. l am
lust little too big, for one thing, to be
played with and thrown aside. l won't
stand it,
He left the house with his head high
in the air, angry red in bis cheeks
and ;, feeling in his heart that she was
the most unreasonable Of women. Bar
bara IN the meantime cried herself to
sleep. vowing she would never love
Monty Brewster again as long as she
lived.
a sharp cutting wind was blowing in
Monty's face as he left the house. He
was thoroughly wretched.
Throw up your hands, came
hoarsely from somewhere, ano there
WAS no tenderness in the tones. For an
instant Monty was dazed and bewll-
dered. but IN the next he saw two
shadowy figures walking beside him.
Stop where YOU are. young fellow"
Was the next command, and he stopped
49, = " = ~
49, ~ WIN