The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-08-25
TIE DIFFERENCE
BY AdeIa Louise kimball


Cartwright, looked first at the great
stone mansion on one corner and
then at the little brown cottage on
the other.
He .;new such very little about
her, just that she was beautiful, that
he loved her and the name and ad-
dress vLich she had inscribed on the
card, Althea Holbrook, corner West
and Canton streets, Mayberry. But
there were obviously two corners.
the one with its great towers, stables
and conservatories, the other with
it's little broken down gate and
crumblihg woodwork.
A guilty flush came to his face as
he .nored out of sight behind a
hedge, for she stood in the doorway
of the little brown house. A large
white apron covered the soft gray
of her dress and a white cap perch
ed upon the golden brown glory OF
her hair.
His head bent under the weight of
the blow. He dared not face this;
be must marry money. He loved
her, butt was no use. He turned
slowly, and without one backward
glance walked away.
But tie girl in gray had seen him,
and although her face turned pale,
a little scornful smile played about
her lips, for she possessed that thing
which is so hard for man 10 under
stand, a woman's intu ton.
Three months passed, wretched,
haunted months to Cartwright. The
leaves were beginning to fall when
IL went To JIa$ociry agA... re
had no intention OF marrying her.
But perhaps he had been cherishing
an ideal perhaps if he saw her
again it might be easier to forget
her.
Then he caught glimpse Of two
brown eyes laughing into his own
and a wealth OF gold brown hair, as
Althea Holbrook asLed by on horse
back.
"A fine horse, that,@ir," said n
lounger.
"W.o is the lady?"
THAT is Althea Holbrook, old Mil
lionaire Holbrook's daughter. She
has just bought the lid Corey man
sion; YOU know the place sir?"
II know the place." said Garth
wright quietly. Who lives in the
little brown house orposite?"
"Old Jane Walsh, a pensioner OF
hers. We have all said it. ought to
be torn down long ago, but Miss AL
thea wouldn't have it. Now, there
a woman for you; no stuck-up all s
a boat her. You wonldn't believe it
but since old Jane has been so lame
she has gone over there every morn
ing and cleaned house for her; sne
says she likes it.
Leslie, Cartwright waited to hear
no more: his hear: was pumping the
hot blood through his veins as he
strobe mp the street 1t made such ::
difreren Il, such an Overwhelming
difIe-InCe.
It was one OIL Fates tricks that she
should again be standing IN the door
way of the brown house, her horse
paving the ground by the title brok'
en- gate. Her arms were filled with
autumn leaves and her cheeks glow
ed with the bright color OF health
She was dressed in green velvet, and
as she stood there peeping out from
behind the leaves, her eyes spark
ling with light and happiness, SHE
made a picture he never forgot.
"Althea," he cried.
Mr.. Cartwright, she said a trihe
coolly. But the neXt moment Silt
was laughing brightly and motionet
him to follow her into the house.
80 you found the courage to come
and see ME this time," she said gay
He colored and could not meet hel
erry eyes.
Are not these leaves beautiful?'
she said. You will not mind if
keep right on working, will you;
MAY | help you?" said Garth
wright cwkwardly.
"Oh, no! l could not let you fol
the world. 1t Is just whim o.
mine. Somehow this little place
Gems more like home to me thar
Mny place in the whole world.
owe its old crumbling walls. take
great pride in It, too. | suppose
could shock you /: I said 7 loved tt
clean things, to sweep and dust aEt
bake. l call keeping this little nes
clean my recreation. She chatter
ee. on, trying to put him at his ease
but his eyes wandered restlessly
about the room, trying In vain tt
meet her own.
II want to do all the decorating
mvself," she went on, "for you SEE
I'm to be married hero tomorrow.
"Althea!" Cartwright jumped tt
his feet and strobe over to where
she stood in the centre of the room
The leaves fell to the ground and she
looked up at him with her eyes
little frightened. "Althea.' he cried
and you have forgotten?"
.lI hnrn hing !" -"