The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-04-15
M 7GfeGe7'
s 6rafeSY:
By TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.

pouths pride themselves. Strangely
enough. however. though otherwise
complete, it lacked one of the essen
tAls-indeed, a vital essential-of a
students room decorations. There
were no photographs.
The other fellows had pictures OF
girls in evening gowns. girls in street
costume, girls in golf garb, girls on
horseback. girls afoot-always girls.
But not girls picture adorned Perce-
val's den except one lonely small min
lature. and that stood far withdrawn.
hidden on the back Of his desk.
Randolph Chase hauled it out on one
occasion before Perceval could reach
him with OBTAINING hand.
what queer little girl" Randolph
said.
"Put 1t back, Perceval said shortly.
his face afame.
But the other fellows crowded be-
hind Randolph and looked at the pic
ture over his shoulder.
"Such mop Of hair and such a lit
tie facew said one of them.
"Put it back. Perceval's tone rasp-
ed with irritation. "Put it back, Ran
dolph"
Randolph. after one glance at the
Younger mans countenance. set the
miniature back on the desk hastily.
"oh, if you feel that way about 1t" he
apologiZed.
But the next night when he was
alone with Perceval he said: 81 don't
want to be inQuisitive. but was aW'
fully interested in that girls face.
Who Is she?"
Perceval was standing at the win
dow, looking out upon the elm bor'
dered street. where the big electric
lights cast great shadows.
THAT" he said without looking
around-"that girl. as you call her, Is
Mrs. Perceval Moore"
"Whatw Randolph's tone expressed
extreme incredulity. You surely don't
mean
Perceval whirled around. "Ihat /
am married? Yes"
Randolph whistled We'll, Of all
thinrs!' he said. And after that there
was silence.
Then Perceval came over and flung
himself into a chair opposite Kan
doph. i've simply got to tell some
body, Chase" he said. I'm in an aw-
full fix. and she's the dearest and truest
and best little thing in the world"
Randolph reached over and picked
up the miniature again. "She truly
looks it," he said after he had studied
it for long time.
Perceval choked a little before he
answered. "She's an angel, Ran
dolph-"
Then what's the matter?" Ran
dolph questioned.
Perceval leaned forward.
"I've deceived her. She doesn't know
that. am in college. She thinks l am
earning. good salary in business"
"Well, son." said Randolph Chase,
1T seems to me that sort Of deception
is a kind that a girl can forgive easily
enough. / guess she won't be wildly
Indignant when she finds that next
year-it is next year that you come Of
age. isn't it?-you'll have big pile Of
money coming to you. Any girl would
be tickled to death to find that"
Perceval shook his head. mot An
Mabel" he declared isn't her name
dear and old fashioned. Chaser
"Yes," Randolph agreed. But why
will she object to million, Perceval"
Because she will say that lied to
her." Perceval said slowly, land An
mabel can forgive anything but lie"
"Out with it!' Randolph: probed.
"Tell me the whole story 1t must be
a queer one. and if you don't mind
my saying so. old man, she must be a
queer girl"
That's just what she is" said Perce-
val. II met her last year at the beach.
She was such quaint queer little
thing that she attracted me. She al
ways wore white, and l would find
her sitting on the sand singing little
songs to herself. There was an old
sea captain to whom she talked good
deal, and l got him to introduce us.
"Well, she had read a lot Of books
on social equality. and she just simply
didn't have any use for the gilded
youth with money. What Annabel
wanted was man who worked, pref
arably with his hands, but, failing
that, one who lived In the thick Of
the fight for existence. And she meant
1t too And that Is where fell.
81 was head over heels in love with
her," continued Perceval forlornly,
land I simply wouldn't let her 60.
So let her believe that was work
ing my way up In business. The first
lie was simple enough and looked like
one of those things that could be
squared easily enough afterward. But
oh, Chase! I had to back that lie up
with details on details until | had lied
to her at least ten lies to the hour.
Well, we were married before / left
in the fall. | wasn't Of age, and she
wasn't, and she wouldn't leave home
until I could support her without ham,
pering my business career.
~ knew had to come back TO COL
lege or get dad down on me, so told
her to stay" groaned PerceVal. "But
] made her marry me for fear some
tbIop r,yoht came hptween us and