The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-07-17

III the heart or the S0ullS uldu auu
this was what the father feared. lf
his son were to wed Laurena be would
naturally go to live with her people,
as her father waS dead
If Charlie left home his father would
be obliged to hire two men 70 do what
they had managed between them. with
the assistance of the mother. 1t was
not SO murh that he had anything
against I.aurena as that he did not
wish his son to leave him thar had
actuated him until now. He had
talked frankly with his son and told
him many things. all calculated to
wither any budding sentimentalism.
So now Charlie had entered the par
lor with heavy feet. He knew what
was to come. and he knew what had
gone before-yes. only a short half
hour ago. No wonder his heart was
heavy.
"Wel?" said his father. eying him
with disconcerting scrutiny.
Charlie held his peace. In fact. he
could not trust himself to speak. His
eyes were cast to the floor and filled
with unspeakable despair. He could
not trust his voice. His father sat
down with his aching feet on the floor
instead Of the stool Gnd again uttered
the one word that meant so much:
"Well?"
Charlie was so handsome, with his
brown curling hair. his gentle brown
eyes. his big frame and tanned checks.
that the old man felt thrill Of pride.
but he never allowed that to check his
determination to have from his son the
last word of what he knew he was
trying to withhold Finally Charlie
looked up once Mt his father. whose
sharp glance showed him the misery
In the soft brown eyes Of his son
Again he said "Wel?" adding that be
was listening. Finally Charlie lifted
his head. saying:
you need not worry. 1t is all off"
"What's all off? Tell me the hull
thing from first to last
"We finished our practice. and all
started for home. and the rest hurried
off. but Laurena and |. we walked
along slower. She said she had some
thing to say that she could not put of
So we walked along"
"You said that before. 1t isn't to be
supposed that you rode along or flew
along or sailed along. Go ahead"
well, you know. father. that | am
fond Of Laurena. | told you from the
beginning
And so you've been and asked her,
YOU ungrateful boy, after all I've said
and DONE
NO; l haven't asked her nor told
her, but feel as though should have
done so. We walked among the graves
and didn't talk much at first. Then
she said: Charlie. want your advice.
We have been such good friends al,
ways"
Eyes. see. | see. She thinks you
can be caught with such cha1. but 60
on, so on"
~ said that we had. and then She
continued: you know that folks have
habit of taking things for granted.
nm. not blaming any one. but we
have been going together so much-for
four years since we grew up-and now
IL think must say that this can't
20 on any longer Bert Jumel asked
me to marry him. and thought |
would ask your advice before answer
him."
"a trap. a trap" shouted the old
man, land you fell into it like the soft
ninny that you are! Didn't tell you
that Id searched out her family on
both sides to see if they had any de.
sceuding ailment and that her father
died Of decline? Didn't 20 to their
house and eat myself sick twice IT,
find out how they cook and set table
and they're ell extravagant? And her
sperrits Is too oneven. One time she
is full Of laugh and the next looks al.
in the dumps She may know how to
sew and keep house. but she cares
more about singing than anything
She's too Eighty won't allow you to
have her. won't, | tell you! What
did she do then?"
"Why, nothing" replied Charlie mis-.
erably. for we stood minute still
and silent. didn't dare to tell her
how | felt till had seen you. and she
leaned against old Mr. Stander's monu-
ment and cried
"Yes, she's artful. sly and smart.
give her the credit. but she's got me
to deal with. She got tired Of waiting
for you to bite at her bait and just
give It twitch to make you snap at
it. | am older than you and know all
about women. You have to live all
the rest of your life with the Que you
choose, and it stands you in hand TO
look about and see them all weigh
every ones faults and advantages. A
pretty face amt all, nor Is good
singing voice Now. I've pointed out
to you the fallings Of all the others
from the time you began going out in
society. Jennie Tubbs was TOO young
and too weakly. Annie Stark too silly,
Mary Blake too pretty and vain. and
so on, and none OF 'em could COOK or
take care Of house. and all OF EN-
was poor and had raft Of poor rela
tions."
The old man stopped to take breath
while Charlie said half heartedly. II
h-..a,.z ,.a,, .,ra trrinn tn ratch ont for