The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-04-15

and confess, old man. It's not only
the right thing, but the best policy, tc
be perfectly frank with her, and If
she's In love with you she'll forgive
you"
But Perceval shook his head. 81
don't dare" he said huskily. II am
30 afraid I'll lose her. Randolph, and
J she is the dearest thing In the world"
you have said that before" Ran
dolpb remarked patiently. 81 think
you are making an awful mistake, but
It will have to work itself out If you
won't take any advice"
Then he went to his own room and
smoked another pipe on it, and after
that he wrote letter.
And in three days came letter tc
Perceval Dear boy" it began. 81
must come to you at once. Things at
home are in q dreadful state. will
tell you when | reach you. know you
haven't much for us to live on, but l
have a little money in the bank that
have saved from my allowance and I
shall follow this note at once. Expect
me on the 1920 q. m. Friday.
"ANNABEL."
"And this" said Perceval desperate
" as he showed the note to Randolph,
'fs Thursday. What am going to do
with her when she gets here. Ran
dolph?"
Randolph smiled inscrutably. Find
some rooms in cheap quarter and set
up housekeeping"
Perceval's face frightened. ~And go
out every morning and make her think
I've gone to work? You are genius,
Randolph
1t took the two men several hours to
find little furnished apartment that
would seem suitable for a young cou-
pie with little money. Perceval grum-
bled disconsoiately. II hate to put my
jewel in such a setting" he said.
"Tell her the truth" Randolph again
advised, land you won't have to put
up with such cheap things"
But Perceval refused. The next
morning he met Annabel at the sta
ton. and together they went to the lit
tie cheap apartment. and here Annabel
wept on his shoulder.
Her account OF the trouble at home
was somewhat vague, but she was en-
thusiastic over the thought Of her
housekeeping. "It will be lovely to
work for you" she said.
But Perceval found it anything but
lovely. He hated to see her soft white
| hands in the dishwater. 1t made him
vince to see her bending over the
flaming stove. and even the joy Of her
presence could not take away his sense
Of infinite guilt.
And so he grew thin and pale and
worn.
you are working too hard" Anna
| bel said one night And when he shook
his head drearily his little wife crept
out to the janitor's room and tele-
phoned to some one.
"He is punished enough" was her
queer message Cant you have him
90 to his old quarters tonight and have
It over?'
The next night Perceval said to An
mabel: 81 have an engagement with
Randolph. You won't mind If l leave
you, will you. dear?"
"Of course not" she acquiesced. 81
can get along just this one time"
Randolph told him that he wished to
| borrow some Of Perceval's books. 81
knew they were in your rooms. and l
thought you wouldn't mind coming
over" said he, 80 took the liberty Of
asking you to desert your wife for one
evening"
| AS the two men entered the luxur'-
GUS quarters Perceval sighed. ITO think
Of my condemning Annabei to such
hideousness as that apartment we are
living inw he said. leaning down to
turn on the low electric lamp on his
study table.
The light flared up and showed the
cozy room, the little fire already light
ed in the open crate. the blue fame
burning under the brass teakettle.
"Why, what?" Perceval demanded,
like the big bear IL the fairy tale.
"Who has been living in my room"
From behind a tall screen came a
little figure in white.
ooh. Perceval" cried Annabel and
| threw herself in his arms.
And when Randolph had explained
that he had taken chances and had
written the truth to Percevals little
wife and Annabel had explained that
she had known he was going to school
and not to work ever since she had
come to him. and oh, didn't he know
that she would love him If he was
rich, Perceval drew long breath of
happiness.
81 don't deserve It," he confessed.
with his eyes shining, "and we can't
live in these rooms, Annabel. But I
am going to take my chances with
dad. and when he sees what 8 dear
little, queer little thing you are he will
give in, and If he doesn't l can earn
my living like a man now that 1 am
square with you. sweetheart"