The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-09-26

s;ccG 1s1a and Peabody understood
a5seesa lions, but as be was intent on
"a < y. appeal to her and she knew
tils.-e vas % escape from it they faced
each other with tensity Of emotion
which seemed impossible a moment
before.
Ann broke the silence. ".How indel-
icate Of themp
"How considerate, say I, for I want
to talk with you," be hurried on. Il
want you to go back with me, Ann, as
my wife. 1 can't go back alone. l
have missed you horribly. Dear girl,
answer me, are you ready to go:'
Ann remained silent, her mind run
ming over for the hundredth time the
advantages, the duties involved, while
his plea proceeded, earnest and manly,
but leaving her cold. It permitted ner
to calculate, to criticise. He had much
to give her. He was a man OF large
income, of unquestioned power, and MS
home was spacious. She liked him,
she respected him very highly, she ad-
mired him, but
The girls dream was not yet faded
out of her soul. She hoped-faintly,
foolishly hoped-for a return of tie
glow, the mystery, the flooding, trans
forming power Of love that was more
than respect, more than honor and adj
miration.
She found herself saying: II know,
Wayne, we seem suited to each other
all our friends would say so-but I'm
not SO sure Of it. It is silly in me, but
I am still wanting to be sure. l don't
care for you as ought to do. I'm no
longer schoolgirls; know what mar
rage means, and unless 1 can feel diff
ferently from the way do now l shall
not marry"
"Have you met any one else who
rouses this other-emotion?"
She flushed. "I don't know am
not sure"
He sank back in his chair, heavy and
inert. The muscles Of his cheeks droop-
ed, giving him the aspect Of a man OF
fifty. Don't throw yourself away.
Ann, for Gods sake, assert your COM
mon sense! If you cannot come to my
home, don't waste your beauty, your
culture, on some savage. 1t hurts me
to see you out here living among these
sordid mem
She interrupted him. ''There is an
other inexp,icable thing. This life has
interested me. It has developed in me
a capacity for physical effort that
didn't know I had. 1t will seem abb
surd to you, but have grown to love
sweet, little, patient Mrs. Kelly. Ike
grand old Matt I like the rude walls
and the handmade stoves as Matt
calls the f1replaces"-
"Ard the tall young miner?" Peabody
suddenly interrupted to ask, and, lean
Ing toward her, fash OF insight in
his eyes, "Or is it the handsome, dare
devil Munro"'
a swift flush rose to her face, she
lost speech, her eyes fell. "Yes-II
like them, too," she said. "They infer
est me. They are vital, unconvention-
al. real"
IN This swift Interchange oe highiy
er1oeonaiized thought they bad forgot
ter where they SAT- and aa kElosF.-
edge of tine had failed them. Ann
glanced az the clock and rose. but PEG
body said: Please don't go! We viii
never have a more important subject
to discuss She sank back into her
chair and he went on quite calmly, his
eyes very grave and sweet. "Ann, I
want you to be happy. am not the
kind Of lover who would make his
bride captive to her own sorrow"
She shook her head sadly, but de-
cisively. you do not understand me,
but no matter This you must under
stand. I admire you, and 1 like you,
but as feel now can never marry
you. I'm sorry, but you must go back
alone"
He took his dismissal quietly, but he
suffered. His voice was tremulous
with passionate regret as he bowed
over her hand. "I accept your verdict,
Ann, and I can only hope that your
new light may not lead you into q
slough Of despond."