The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-08-21
THE DEVOTION
OF DICK
a., Eooo Gopo

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Although Dick never admitted it.
it was quite obvious that he was leal-
Gus of young Arson. the neXt-door
eighbor, who called on Miss Edith
two or three evenings in the week.
Edith erself had never shown any
preference. however, between the
two In fact. she had almost coaXed
Dick to remain in the room when
she saw Anson coming up the front
walk, but Dick usually saw him first
and invariably he would scowl and,
deaf to her urging. go quietly out
and wander off by himself in the
darkness.
Young Anson was newcc mer at
least. he had been in Winton but a
few months, but since the first day
he saw Edith he had been in love
with her, a fact which he made no
attempt to conceal, and which Dick
silently resented; for had he not
lived in the same house with her
since that night he had been found, a
tiny bit of a thing, ,nalf frozen on
the front steps, and taken in and
adopted by the fa-lily? Had hey
not loved each other before the OH
err appeared on the scene? Had he
not once jumped in the pond and
saved her from drowning? Was
she not his by right of discovery?
Dick thought so.
True, he had never declared his
love in words, bit his devotion and
his pleading eyes must have spoken
more eloquently than any spoken
words could have done, and from the
first he had claimed her for his own,
and no one to say him nay till Anson
had appeared on the scene. At first
he and Anson had been good friends,
but when the latter began showing
preference for Edith's society a cold
ness crept in between the two, and,
though he showed his dislike IN
many ways. he was as silent on the
point as he had been on the subject
OIL love.
He was still devoted to Edith.
however, and spent every moment
possible with her, but the sight of
the Jtller would bring scowl to his
face and he would stink away, leav-
ing clear field for his rival. Arson,
of course, noted all this. and one day
mentioned the suDject.to Edith, who
only laughed and answered that it
was only one of Dick S freaks and he
would probably soon get over it.
Time passed. however, and in
stead Of her prediction falling true.
Dick grew more sulky than ever;
that is, when Arson was about,
which was much more than he used
to be, for he now not only came iour
or FIVE evening in the week, but took
her out driving on Sunday. or some
times boating on the pond.
Dick was with her when Anson
was not, but the rest of the time he
passed no one knew where. 1t
hurt him, too, to think that she was
so heartless, for she was apparently
utterly oblivious to his suffering,
spending much time at the piano
singing songs and this alo grated
on his nerves to the extent Of some
times driving him from the house.
One evening when Anson was
there Dick went out ard wandered
down to the pond where the tiny
waves cleaned like ripping silver in
the moonlight He was seriously
contemplating running away, for it
seemed to him that the whole family
was taking an unusual interest in his
rival, but while looking in the wa
ter and thinking over the situation
he was startled by footsteps approach
ing. Looking round he saw two fig
ures coming nearer, a man and
woman, the mans arm about her
waist and her head resting lightly
against his shoulder. Dick drew
back in dhe shadow and waited.
They stopped near and began talking
but he coulde not understand what
they were saying. AS hey turned,
however, he saw the man take her
in his arms and kiss her again and
aialE.
Dick could hardly restrain himself
from dashing out and tearing his riv-
al to pieces; his devotion to Edith
only prevented One point was set
tied though. he would run away. he
would not stay there and eat his
heart out with jealousy. He waited
till he heard Anson go home, AMI
then Went up and sat down on the
steps t. form his plans for the fu-
tire.
Something had alSu happened to
Edith that night that sent her
thoughts flying into the future. an
she canls out on the strLS to Think
and found Dick there. Dropping
down behind him she threw one
arm about his neck and held mp a
hand on which sparkled tiny dia-
mond.
See, Dick she whispered, that
Is my engagement ring. am going
to be married next month. What
do you think OF that"
NTH oayed at her moment then