The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-06-12

. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 90
:;: THE CAN0N'S WARD ;i:;a
Ssiea OR 4 TALE OF MONEY MADNESS. sgeeJ
~ BY JAMES PAWN e0% a-
o.
BY JAMES PAWN
OR 4 TALE OF MONEY MADNESS.

Two are company, three are uoue,
is a proverb pretty generally &C
cepted; but when one Of the party
is a tutor of his college, and another
a scholar of the same, the truth OF
the saying is borne upon the scholar
with particular significance.
Sophy had good grounds for her
conviction that the canon would offer
no opposition. Adair had laid his
plans with too great skill to fear any
thing of that kind; but he omitted
no p~recaution to insure success.
Nothing could be more modest and
apparently diffdent than the terms
in which he made confession Of hav-
ing fallen in love with the canon's
ward. He acknowledged that his
having done so was an act open to
censure; he could eve imagine that
it might be considered a breach OF
hospitality. If that was the view en-
tertained by his patron, sooner than
lose his good opinion he was pre-
pared-though at a sacrifice Of hap
piness which no n could estimate
but himself-to give up all preten-
sions to the young lady's hand. He
confessed that he had reason to be-
lieve that his affection was recipro-
Gated, but notwithstanding that and
supposing, in case of the canon's OBJ
jecting to the match, that she pre-
ferred to obey the voice Of au-
1thority to that Of love, he would
then bow to her decision and never
trouble her with importantly of ap-
peal.
Perhaps it was not altogether IN
necessary that Adair adopted a
course so judicious and conciliatory,
for, though the canon had already
pictured to himself the young man
as Sophy's sutton, the idea had been
almost confined to the regions of
imagination; when it had escaped
from them and been put into formal
shape, as in his conversation with
his sister, its reception had not been
favorable, and it had seemed less
satisfactory to himself; and, now
that it started up suddenly before
him full grown, like Minerva, it gave
him a considerable shock. 1t is all
very we'll for a kind, thoughtful man,
Independent Of conventionality, to
advance Gin fancy humble merit to
high places; but when humble merit
advances itself without assistance
and then demands his sanction to
the transaction, he is sometimes apt
to think the step a little audacious.
IF, as I gather from what you
say, Affair."" was the canon's grave
reply, you have already spoken to
my ward upon this subject, I con-
TESS I think you have done wrong.
It was to me, and not to her, that
you should have addressed yourself
There was a pause, which Adair
purposely prolonged, though he had,
in truth, long prepared his reply.
! Then he answered, humbly:
LAS to that, sir, I have not a word
Of excuse to offer. I might plead,
perhaps, some extenuating circum-
stances; but I do not do so. I was
wrong"
This was a sagacious reply, for
what it implied was that Adair had
| only so addressed himself upon re-
| ceiving such encouragement as few
young men could be expected to with
stand; but as for putting in that
plea, not eve wild horses should
| have torn it from him. The canon,
with Sophy's behavior to Herbert
| Perry in his mind, fell into this trap
at once. He was vexed and bit his
lip, but where such complete sub
mission was made, contention was
impossible.
Your communication has taken
me very much by SURPRISE" he said.
II cannot say that it gives me-ahem
-unmixed satisfaction"
1T would be, indeed, surprising
if it did, sir" was Adair's rejoinder.
Il am we'll aware that what I have
said must seem presumptuous-in-
deed, even audacious."
Nay, nay" put in the canon,
touched by his young favorite's hu-
mility. Il don't say that. The alb
| sence of fortune and family Is, of
course, a serious drawback; but
blood and money are not everything.
AS to the latter, you have the ma
terial within you, If I am not much
mistaken, by which nowadays for
tunes are made; and I believe you
to be a man of sterling merit. My
ward has some money of her own,
which will be always hers; no one
else can touch it. So far her for
tune is secured. And you are not a
man to sit with your hands before
you and live on your wife's income"
Il should be ashamed, indeed, to
do that, sir. 1t is very difficult for
a man in my position to excuse with
out accusing himself; but I should
like you to feel that Miss Gilbert's
fortune has formed no part of her
| attraction for me-"
Il am glad to hear it, and I be-
lieve it." said the canon, earnestly.
I'm the case of your engagement
being a short one-and upon the
whole I should prefer a short en-
gagement-you will be giving up
something not inconsiderable your
self. You will only gain your fell
lowship, in fact, to lose it; that is
$3.50 a year or So
Il hope I shall be able to make
$3.50 a year, sir, b. my own ex-
ertions," answered Adair, with a
smile of confidence.
douht no 6ouht. still. as 2