Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1908-10-28
terra CT fire the words danced before

terra CT lire the words danced Delore
her startled eyes:
eBondage,' by Ambrose Vernon
The mystery of the authorship Of this
powerful book is at last solved, and
we are able to inform the public that
the author is Mr. Ambrose Vernon,
whose untimely death from the eff
fects of motoring accident was an
nounced some months ago. We. de-
plore the fact that he cannot know
the success which has attended his
first book, or enjoy the fame it sheds
upon his name. We are sure that
our readers"
Crystal dropped the paper, her
cheeks flushed, her eyes very bright.
'I don't understand, she cried.
Glow did the book come to be pub
lished-and why anonymously, un-
less my brother sold it before his
death? But surely if he had should
have heard something about. 1t after
wards. I don't understand in the
least. Perhaps you. who have been
SO SOOu W 1lS, nave uelo q noao A. tS'
Hugh smiled bitterly.
"You are right" he said, slowly;
"I had a hand in it. Will you be pa
tient with me while tell you story?
It's not pleasant telling, Crystal, nor
will it be pleasant hearing, but it
must be told-to you. Then you can
bid me stay or go, as you will. 1t
must lie in your hands. Will you
listen to me?"
"Of course" The girls voice was
little shaken. Some hint of tragedy
stirred the air.
The man was silent for a minute,
then he plunged into his story, and
the girl listened breathlessly as the
sordid tale of. poverty. terrible, swift
temptation, theft and desperate re-
morse was unfolded before her. Hugh
did not spare himself in the least:
he was eager to expiate his sin, and
surely confession was now his only
way Of escape.
"I stole it," he said, in low, broken
tones; 'it's thing that wants plain
words, Crystal. And, having stolen
it, was ready to enjoy the fruits of
the seed l had sown; 1 was ready to
reap it all till met you. Then it
was not the fear of man that sent
me back to the. right road, but the
love l have for you. I'm weak
sinner, Crystal, yet Heaven knows
how sorely / was tempted and how
that eeemed at the time my only way
of escape. I have only to ask your
forgiveness and then to go out of
your life. I've told you I love you
I think I must always love you, Crys-
tai; you've lifted me up when was
sorely cast down. But 1 know I've
put myself beyond the pale. Some
other lucky man will tell you the
story of love, and you may listen to
him, Crystal-but not to thief"
He had got to his feet, but Crystal
did not move. She was sitting look
ing up at him, her eyes star-bright
with tears, her mouth quivering in a
smile.
'.No other man wifi tell me that
story" she said, very simply, "be-
cause Hugh-don't go and leave me.
Can't we face the future together?
Do you think I don't know you-hon-
est, true-hearted? Why, anyone may
meet temptation and fall. Who
among us 10 perfect? Hugh, you said
you'd leave it in my hands to bid you
go or stay, and"
He took a step towards her.
Crystal! Think what you are
doingrv ne cried, hoarsely- "It's for
good and all, remember
IT'S for good and all I ask YOU
to stay" sne said, very low; "be-
cause / love you, High. All! my
dearestI"
He flung himself at her feet, and
there was long, long silence, while
she bent very tenderly, love shining
in her eyes, over the bowed head in
her lap. He had won from hideous
misery into a haven Of rest and
peace; q new life was outspread be-
fore them, and, with the woman ne
loved to guide him On the way, he
knew he could again take. up the
burden Of life maufully and resolute-
ly, not locking for way of escape,
but facing his culties.-Tit-Eits