The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-03-27

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princess and I lay in the hospital at
Ganlook my feyered arms hungered
for you. There never has been a mo-
ment that my heart has not been reach
ing out in, search Of yours. You have
glorifed me, dearest, by the promise
you made a week ago. I know that
you will not renounce that precious
pledge. 1t is in your eyes now-the
eyes shall worship to the end Of eter-
nifty. Tell me, though, with your own
lips, your own voice, that you viii be
my wife, mine to hold forever
For answer she placed her arms
about his neck and buried her face
against his shoulder. There were tears
in her gray eyes and there was a sob
in her throat. He held her close to his
breast for an eternity, it seemed to
both, neither giving voice to the song
their hearts were singing. There was
40 other world than the fairy grotto.
ssSweetheesFF+ am asking you to
make great sacrifice he said at last,
his voice hoarse but tender. She look
ed up into his face serenely. "Can
you give up the joys, the wealth, the
comforts of that home across the sea
to share iowly cottage with me and
my love? Wait, dear-do not speak
until am through. YOU must think Of
what your friends will say. The love
and life I offer you now will not be
like that which you always have
known. It will be poverty and the
dregs, not riches and wine. 1t will
be-
But she placed her hand upon bis
lips, shaking her head emphatically.
The picture he was painting was the
same one that she had studied for days
and days. It's very shadow was fa-
miliar to her. its every unwholeseme
corner was as plain as day.
'The rest of the world may think
what it likes, Paul." she said. ''It will
make no difference to me- I have
awakened from my dream. My dream
prince is gone, and find that it's the
real man that I love. What would you
have me do? Give you up becase you
are poor? Or would you have me go
up the ladder of fame and prosperity
with you, a humble but .adoring bur-
den? know you, dear. You will not
always be poor. They may say what
they like. I have thought long and
well, because am not fool. It ss
the American girl who marries the
titled foreigner without love that is
fool. Marrying a poor man is too serl-
Gus a business to be handled by fools.
I have written to my father, telling him
that am going to marry you" she an
| nounced. He gasped with unbelief.
sYou have, already?' he cried.
"Of course. My mind has been made
up for more than week. I told 1t to
Aunt Fanny last night"
"And she?"
"She almost died, that's ALL, said she
unblushingly. "I was afraid to cable
the news to father. He might stop me
| If he knew it in time. A letter was
much smarter"
"You dear, dear little sacrifice" he
cried tenderfy. 'tI will give all my life
| to make you happy
| ~ nm q soldiers daughter, and can
{. be q soldiers wife. have tried hard
to give you up, Paul, but couldn't.
You are loves solder, and It IS "a
relief to surrender and have it over
| with"
they fell to discussing plans for the
future. It all went smoothly and air1iy
| until he asked her when he should go to
Washington to claim her as his wife.
She gave him startled, puzzled look
"To Washin' tonw she murmured,
turning very cold and weak you
you won't have to go to Washin' ton,
| dear. I'll stay here"
"My dear Beverly, I can afford the
trip.o he laughed. 81 am not an abso-
| lutte pauper. Besides, it Is right and
just that your father should give you
to me. It is the custom Of our land"
She was nervous and uncertain,
"But-but, Paul, there are many
things to think Of" she faltered.
"You mean that your father would
not consent?"
"Well-he-he might be unreasona-
BILE" she stammered. "And then there
are my brothers. Keith and Dan They
are foolishly interested in me. Dan
thinks no one is good enough for me.
Sc does Keith. And father, too, for
that matter-and mother. You see, it's
not just as If ycd were grand and
wealthy nobleman They may not un-
derstand. We are southerners, you
know. Some Of them have peculiar
ideas about
Don't distress yourself so much,
dearest he said, with laugh.
Though I see your position clearly
and it is not an enviable one"
"We can go to Washin'ton just as
soon as we are married" she compro-
missed. Father has great deal Of in
fuence over there. With his help be-
- ;y,