The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-12-22

One glance at Benton's face told
John Thornton that something I'm.
usual was about to happen, but, with
characteristic caution, he waited fol
Fred to Introduce the subject.
"John, I wish you'd do me a favor
began Fred abruptly, "and I promise
faithfully not to impose on your good
nature again. Aunt Sarah insists on
my accompanying Miss Gordon and
herself this evening, and, of course,
that means that I can't take Marian to
the theatre as I intended, unless"
"Unless by proxy" i~nterposed
Thornton.
Exactly, and if you'll only help me
out tonight, John, I'll never ask such
a thing of you again. You'll go?"
"Well-yes," answered Thornton,
reluctantly, that Is, if Marian sub
mits to your arrangement You know
she was terribly put out the other
time, and made no effort to conceal
her ~displeasure."
Il must please Aunt Sarah, John,
and you know why" ,retorted Fred,
irritably, "and you also know that
she disapproves of Marian"
"She wouldn't If she knew her.
retorted Thornton, warmly. Then
with assumed indifference, he said:
who is this Miss Gordon?. De-
scribe her"
"She's q New York girl, but / can't
describe her. John. She's dazzling"
Thornton looked quizzically at
Benton, then said, seriously:
at hope you're not falling a victim
to Miss Gordon's charms, Fred. You
know what a susceptible fellow you
are. 1t would break Marian's heart
If you should desert her."
"I hope I'm not such a brute"
quickly retorted Fred, remembering
, pair of brown eyes, tender and
bright, that had for some time held
him a willing captive, and vowing to
himself that nothing would ever
make him false to Marian. Aloud
he said: "See you later, and lot you
know what Marian says"
After leaving Thornton's Office, he
sent a hurried note of explanation to
Marian. then settled down to his &C.
customed work. Reaching home at
last after a tiresome day he found
Miss Gordon more fascinating than
ever. The evening was an enchanted
one, and Fred found his aunt's guest
wholly irresistible.
AS the days went by Marian re-
:eived fewer calls and more and more
apologies, until, at last, they ceased
to be necessary. Fred did not allow
himself to think of his unmanly treat
ment of the girl who had been so
dear to him, and was blind to all
future consequences. He also went
less frequently to Thornton's office,
for Thornton's evident disinclination
to discuss Miss Gordon frritated him.
One afternoon, arriving home ear
Iier than usual, he found Miss Cor
don at the piano, singing. Fascinat-
ed, he stood in the doorway and
watched her, and see, catching sight
of him, nodded and smiled invitingly,
katherine, sweetheart" he said.
softly, going towards her.
Instantly, the friendly smile van
ished, and rising, she said in her cold
est and haughtiest tone:
"Did you speak to me, Mr.. Ben
TONI"
B%ewildered and intensely mortified
Fred left the room in a storm Of in
dignant love. He resolved to return
to Marian and to forget the t~antalizt
ing woman who had allured him from
love, friend and business.
That evening found him waiting
again in the little parlor where hi
had so often waited before, and he
hoped that Marian was as miserabl.
unhappy as himself. She was much
longer than usual in coming, ant
when she did come it was hard tt
believe that she was the same Marian
The shy, trusting girl who used tt
blush beneath his ardent gaze me
min tonight witha cold serenity more
calling than %reproach. She treated
min with such polite Indifference tina
the eloquent speech he had prepared
was forgotten.
AS the clock on the mantel chimet
the hour of s, she asked him to ex
cuse her, pleading an engagement
AS she moved toward the door, Free
reached it first, and said:
Surely, we are not to part lik
this, Marian. Let us forget the pas
few weeks, dear. You know yo'
love ne, and"
II do not love you, Fred Benton,
broke in Marian, emphatically.
HSince when, Marian?"
"Since I found you unworthy Q
my love. + learned to love you an
I have also 1earned-to despise you.
rs there no thought Of the pas
sufficiently powerful to make yo
more kind?"
None, Fred" she answered, sadly
"Remember that there are wrongs
woman never has a memory tende
enough to forgive. I could neve
again have the old confidence an
the same trust in you" She put bot