The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-08-14

q decidedly rebellious gleam in the
usually laughing eyes, and ii the red
lips did quiver as the form of the
Boy swung rapidly down the street.
with squared shoulders and not even
q backward glance, it was more from
anger than from sorrow.
II don't care if this is his first
night home after year-I did just
right! Why should I explain to him?
He ought to have more confidence
in me than that. don't care
1t he did go away cross" Then. as
che brushed away an angry little
tear which persisted in rolling down
her flushed, round cheek, she quick
ly tore to shreds an innocent piece
OF paper.
That very paper had caused 1t all.
She had been so glad to see him after
his long absence. and they had sucn
q pleasant evening together, and
when he slipped the beautiful ring
on her willing finger-the ring that
meant so much to item both-their
cup Of happiness was lnceed full.
Then-then came the tragedy! He
had carelessly picked up this little
piece of pape- and his eyes uncon-
sc:ousy rested on the words, "Yo r
loving Will" At first heir signif-
icance did not strike him, but when
1t did his ruddy cheeks, paled, and
the old stubborn jealousy caused his
question to take on masterful ag-
gressive tone:
who is WIFI"
The Girl glanced up quickly, but
when she met that doubling look all
thoughts of an explanation fled
She, too, was wilful., and never ip
her gay, happy life had anyone used
that tone to her. before; so with
heightened color she replied briefly:
"a friend"
For moment these two. whose
truly engagement was hardly an
hour old, faced each other-neithe-
willing to yield an inch, each will
ing to undergo tortures rather than
admit that they mad met a master.
Fried A little jealous laugh
emphasized the word. $50 I imag
ined--a very dear friend -
At last, with cool, curt good
night" and stiff touch of the
cap. the boy had left her and she
well. anywa. she did not care, and
ever if she did not close her eyes
through that long night. and if her
head DID ache and 'hrob dreadfully
the next morning, it was not on ac-
cont OF himi
When S o'clock sounded the next
evening the Boy<founI, himself walk
ing slowly down the street where the
Girl lived. and he reached the house
just as the door orened and her
mothe: came out. The cordial
smile she gave him and the fact
that she held the doo' open for him
to enter showed pisin.y that she
was unaware OF the state of affairs.
For a second he hesitated. and then
unable to frame any excuse for not
going in, he said:
Isis she at lCme?"
Yes" was the answer. &c,
right in. You'll find her in the
music room"
The music room! That was where
she had consented to become lis
wife the night before-in the cosy
little music room-sne must be
half expecting him. With bound
he started up the steps. but like t
fash OF cold water came the words
from her mother.
willie is with her-go right
IN"
Willie! So that was all she
cared about hiin-she had taken an
other fellow, Will. straight into tie
place which she lad der ared would
always be sacred to ner because
beca USE
His lips came together in grim,
white line; he would see.-"ould
have an understanding with this
Will--so much at least, was due
him! He paused at the door of the
room api wrapped. A vcice--h'-r
vo;rr-. aid 't.rlc in V.@;i:
stlanse Ieeiing tug2ing at MS heat
ne pushed open the door. At first
he hardly dared to look 1t the hate i
face Of his rival. Tnen with de-
fiant toss of the head he advanced
quickly. but stopped short, puz
z]ed look on his face, as his warlike
face rested on two girls! The Girl
came quickly forward with little
suppressed cry of delight. and then
after giving him her hand in welcome
(you see, really she had been part
ly to blame the night before-sne
had come to that colcll lsiCn hours
ago. gravely turned anc said:
You have never met my dearest
friend. Miss Zillah Wayne | ave you?
Will. this is MIR. Leighton"
Will! That was the only word
he caught distinctly. and as he
clasped Miss Wayne's hand in a de-
cidedly warm grip, he repeated It
mechanically.
YES" she replied laughingly;
isn't it a terrible name for girl?
But it's much easier to y than Iil-
lah."
His eyes sought The Girls with
such an expression of relief. penti-
nence and understanding that her
last bit ol resentment fled, and