The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-05-15
CHAPTER VI.
Continued.


We'll, there would be a row, of
course; but he would say, like a wise
man, There's no use in crying over
split milk Perhaps l am not the
sort of man that he would have
chosen for you. He would have pre-
ferred some bookish sneak like
Adair, or some old fogy like Nav
ors; but since we are married he will
have to make the best of it and give
us an allowance till you come OF
ago"
That, l am we'll convinced, he
never never will said Sophy, firmly.
And what does it matter If he
doesn't? l can borrow money on
your expectations for twelve
months"
Il have no expectations, Herbert;
that is, l mean, l shall have none II
you insist on acting in this mad way.
| am entirely dependent upon my
guardian. If l marry while under
age, without his consent, my for
tune is forfeited. 1t goes into other
hands"
Il don't believe a word of it."
Thank yop; it is true, neverthe-
less"
IF it were true, it would only
show how thoroughly well your peo-
pie must have understood you and
what a slippery fish you always were;
but it is most unlikely. l can find
the truth out for myself, however, by
going up to Doctors Commons and
looking at your fathers will. You
are changing color, I see; your story
Is false. You had better not send
me on a FOOLS errand to town, young
woman"
Herbert! Herbert! listen to me-
cried the girl, passionately. You
font know my guardian. If he ever
finds out 1 have deceived him, he
will never forgive me. And if l am
not quite correct as to the"
"Ha, hal" he put in. Il thought
so. Now for another"
81 say that I am quite certain that
the will leaves a great deal to his
discretion. He can make US a hand
some allowance when l come of age,
or a poor one; he al advance us
money, or withhold it. Go up to
Doctors Common, if you doubt me;
and you will find it is so. You don't
know your danger"
Nor do you know yours, Sophy.
Suppose for a moment that 1 accede
to this Australian scheme - than
which nothing is further from my in
tention-and if, when you were left
behind in England, things should be
said to your disadvantage. That man
Adair, for example, knows enough;
and, if 1 were not here to wiring his
neck, might use his knowledge to
take away your character. That
would be very awkward-I for
you"
THE register of our marriage is
In St. Anne's Church." said Sophy,
slowly.
You'd refer to that, would you?
Upon my life, you take things very
coolly," returned the other, grimly.
The contingency of which you
speak," she said, would, at all
events, place me in no worse posi-
ton than your rashness and impa-
thence place me now. Oh, Herbert,
l have given up everything for you.
You promised me, upon your word
of honor, to keep u marriage secret
until l came of age"
Her voice vas piteous, and her
pretty face so appealing that ever the
selfish heart of Herbert Perry was
touched; %unhapily, however, they
also revived the cold embers of his
love.
But, Sophy, dear, You seem to
forget that you and l are one. Is it
nothing to you that l am separated
from you, and only now and then
have a chance of getting a word with
you, ever like this? And now you
say that you are forbidden even to
see me at ALL"
The argument had force in it, and
there had been a time when it would
have succeeded with her; but now
she could not ven bring herself to
say, And do l not suffer too?" In
her heart of hearts she loathed and
feared him.
1T is only for twelve months"
she said.
only for twelve months" he an
swered, angrily. "A pretty thing for
a girl to say to her husband-vell,
for certain that is not my view, at all
events. l shall write to my father and
tell him how matters stand, and then
let the old folks fight it out between
them. And so, ~good-evening to you"
He turned from her with fierce abb
ruptness, and, stepping into his ca
noe, was out of arm-reach, or she
would have clung to him in one last
agoniZed appeal.
rrr nrHn WIZ