The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1907-02-28

mond," he decided, enthusiastically,
which was something very rare for
him to do. What possible fate has
placed here here, in this out-of-the-
way corner of creation?"
Well, the week came to an end
with wonderful rapidity, and It
seemed that Ellie and Sydney had
been acquainted lifetime instead of
only seven days of escorting her to
the schoolhouse and seeing her safely
home, of going on one or two skating
trips, and some brisk, delightful
walks to the village postoffice, and
seven evenings of pleasant conversa-
ton. intricate games of chess, or old
fashioned apple roasting frolics.
II don't want to go away at ALL"
he said. one bright, sharp morning,
as he drove her to school.
But, of course, you must" she
answered, gravely. Men cannot idle
their lives away"
''It seems that women don't; at all
events, you don't" he said, lightly.
isn't it terrible bore to travel
along in the same rut, day after day,
week after week, as you do, Miss Ell
lie?"
A wicked little sparkle was in her
eyes.
mot half as great nuisance as to
do nothing, as you do"
But was brought up not to have
anything much to do, you see. 1t
makes a difference"
She fixed her pretty, thoughtful
eyes on his handsome face.
"Oh, you are a rich man, then.
thought, somehow, you we're not"
He laughed-just the merest bit
vexed at her sincere frankness.
"Rich2 No, ] am not, unless you
call three thousand ayear fortune"
II don't earn half that, yet call
myself rich," Ellie said, quietly.
But perhaps you expect to inherit
fortune, Mr.. Chamney?"
you saucy little catechist! No,
can't say that I do"
"Then, Mr.. .Chamney, you mean to
say that you will be content to go on,
so long as you live, idling away your
time in whatever amusement pleases
you for the moment, and, having no
good object to accomplish. no healthy
discipline of daily employment, Just
because you happento possess enough
to feed and clothe your"
There was a sweet, interested kind
liness in her manner, in her words,
that robbed them of all sting, and
Sydney Chamney looked almost rev.
erently at her.
81 - never really thought of It.
But"-and flush Redeemed his hand
some faca-"suppose l confess what
do expect-what I did expect to do,
I mean, VIII you promise you won't
quite-despise me?"
She smiled gravely.
81 can tell you more truthfully
when have heard what you have to
say. What is it?"
He looked earnestly in her sweet,
womanly face.
II did intend to marry a fortune,
Miss Ellie
A painful flush surged over her
cheeks. She shrank further away
from him.
II knew it," he said, impetuously.
Didn't say you'd despise me? OF
course, knew you would, when you
heard what had in my mind, and
deserve to be despised. But don't
forget also said had given up the
idea, although she was one of the
most 'lovable girls imaginable-if all
that her friends said of her was true,
which 1 do not doubt. She would be
prize for any man, even without her
riches"
A silence between them followed,
| disturbed only by the soft clang of
the sleigh bells.
Then Chamney broke it:
"Why don't you ask me what has
changed my mind, Miss Ellie?"
A swift, radiant look in her eyes
was instantly hushed.
Because l think you would tell
me II you wanted me to know" she
answered readily.
II do want you to know. 1t is
you!"
81? I? Why. Mr.. Chamney, how
when have l impressed you TO-
He interrupted her eagerly.
There has not been an hour that
/ have not been conscious of your In
fluence upon me, Ellie. Your words,
your daily toll, your cheerful accept
ance Of the duties deyolving upon
you, have shown me not only what a
selfish, worthless fellow l have been,
but what self-reliant man l purpose
to make of myself. Hitherto, in my
absurd stupidity, have regarded my
self as destined to be saved from an
honest, manly, workaday life-a sort
OF glorified idiot. to whom fortune
must somehow come with no effort OF
my own"
He paused, and Ellie looked up, al.
most wistfully, to say:
'I am so glad"
$50 ap Il am eager to begin
to be of some use somewhere. What
shall | do, Ellie? Cut wood, or turn
farmland, or what?"
Ellie smiled--gravely enough, but
1t was look that stirred his very
soul.
II have heard you say you read 0
little at law. Take that up, throw
all your resolution and energy into
II, and make mark, and--a for,
tune," she added, with little. merry
laugh.
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