The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-07-27
HE HES|TATED.


ang screams of Q strong man. whose
strength and manhood have collap-
sed beneath the sudden strain OF
some deadly fea-, some overpowerlng
agony.
The river looked placidly beautiful
A growing circle Of wavelets swept
slowly over it's calm surface--swept
away as though shrinking in horror
from the grewsome bubbles that
came sputtering up where the SWIM
mer had sunk like lead.
A minute before Vernon Dale had
stopped to admire the solitary swim
mer's strength and grace as he cut
through the water like some fabu-
ious sea creature. with beautiful
side stroke.
"Help!"
Dale started and looked back. The
swinmer had disappeared. but a
tiny W whirlpool on the peaceful face OF
the river showed where the young
man had been forced to VI Nd
"Cramp!" muttered Dale.
Dale was a strong swimmer him
sslf. He flung OF his coat and vest
and was tearing nadly at his heavy
walking boots, when he stopped and
seemed Suddenly rs II turned to
stone.
He had thought OF Nina!
"I cant do it," ne said hoarsely,
a. il to the man whose life had been
choked and stifled out OF him some
where down among the dark loata-
some weeds and slime. Il can't 90
It. l daren't risk it. l might XIII
the woman I love!'
Mechanically Dale put on his coat
and vest again. No one would ever
know!'
1--WE will keep our secret weil-we
two!" he said in horrible whisper,
looking down as II he could see some
thing at the bottom Of the dark riv-
er. Then b glanced hastily left and
right. Someone might have been
watching after all.
An hour after when Vernon Dale
arrived faint. sick and oallid, at tne
parsonage, he knew that he dared
not keep his terrible secret. Until
that day his life had been clean ana
be had been accounted AL honorable
man. He must tell some one, ana
that very soon.
"Is you brother in?" he asked her
soon.
mo. Vernon, he Is out walking,
but he will be in soon. / am so sure
Won and Claude will be real friends
oh. Vernon, something is the matter
with ycu-tell me what 1t is!
He buried his face in his hands.
he was undergoing torture for Nc
knew he could not keep silence much
longer.
Nina was on her knees besile him.
He felt her soft face touch his arms
and her arms twine around his.
Vernon, If there is anything on
vour mind tell me. No ere can nelp
YOU as I can, for no one loves you as
dol"
"You are right. Nina" he answer
sa in a noarse broken voice. Il will
tell you'll must.
She waited. Her eye sWere nXea
IN him in mute agony.
"As 1 was coming along the bank
on my way here, there was man
awimming. passed him, and wnen
was about q hundred yards from
him, he gave a cry and sank
"How horrible!" she murmureo
with shudder. "But-0u' tna' y
not all! 49,.
mo. nina. ran back TO the
,,ace where he sank, but l did not
+rv to save him for your sake. was
inst on the point OF plunging IN
when thought of you. and OF all
s- n vou-and then couldn't. God
forgive me If 1 did wro's' out ]"
seemed to me at the time that II was
right"
She rose to her feet and staggered
20 chair, white as death. III you
had died!" she said, clenching her
hands and looking at him wildly. III
Won had died could have borne
1t. l should have known | loved
brave mani"
Have mercy on me. Nina!" he
easped loosing his hold Of her.
She rose and stood before him,
looking at him with eyes that neither
reproacned pitied, nor pardoned him.
He stretched out his hands to her
In an agony OF appeal.
And l will try to love you again.
She flung herself down upon a sofa
and gave way to an agony of weep
ing. "Oh. Clalde! Claude" she
walled.
Very WE'LL" said Vernon grimly.
"I will abide by your brothers de-
lion"
A crunching Of heavy feet on the
gravel walk beneath the window.
The subdued hum Of hushed voices.
Vernon sprang to the window in an
agony Of vague fear.
What is that? Who are they?"
screamed Nina in an agony Of horror.
He did not answer. He was look
ing out at something couple OF
men were slowly carrying up to the
house. Something covered with a