The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-09-21


that. Are these sweet sultan?
though somehow that roses, red roses,
had always been my favorites.
They're so different, aren't they?-
50 far above all other flowers. A
deep red rose in full bloom is like
it's-oh, it's life and love and haDpi-
ness and June and youth and-oh,
everything worth having, don't YOU
Think"
"Oh, yes!" Audrey's eyes were
starry indeed as she raised them to
his. "AId it's so ridiculous to say
that they are crude, isn't it? How
wonderfully you put it! But then,
10 one ever understands or puts
things as you do"
The darkening load Of care on Mi
chael's young brow seemed to lift
a little, but he steelcd himself and
g. h~alf-formed resolve in his soul
spurred him on.
audrey dear" he said, "I asked
you to meet me to-day because
wanted to speak to YOU seriously.
| want to say something which may
| sound even brutal to you. but you
are so young-so young and ignorant
Of the world, and I am a man, with
a mans knowledge, and I've come to
the conclusion that it's my duty to
| speak frankly to you"
How could he go on when he met
that blue alarmed gaze?
1--WE been a selfish BRUTE" said he,
looking away from it. 1--WE been be-
having like a mean hound, because
I loved YOU"
Loved me? Oh, Michael"
because 1 love you," he amended
hastily, after a quick s~ide-glance.
"But I've come to my senses ct last,
thank God!"
"Oh. Michael" she cried in d.s-
tress, I'm so sorry"
no" said he sadly; don't be
sorry. We've had our dream, dear,
and we must wake up"
ooh, Michael! But why?"
He looked with a hunted glance up
the green lane.
Because I am running your life,"
said he. And it isn't fair. You
| ought to marry a rich man. You
will V be allowed to marry me.
Your father will never give his dar-
ling to the black sheep, the ne'er-do-
weel, the rolling stone, the vaga-
bond"
He fingered over his speech as if he
loved it. He dwelt upon these cpl
thets as if he s!oried in them.
"Oh!" Audrey cried. HE never
called you any Of those dreadful
things. He never once called YOU
anything worse than ineligible. And
mothe~-the expression mother al
ways uses is 'upfortunate.' An un-
fortunate youth she says YOU are.
How can you be so unjust to them,
so cruel to me-"
They are right" said Michael
cheerfully. And I deserve it. I de-
serve that, and more. But I have
still some principles left. I have still
some ~glinmerins notions of right and
wrong, and the time has come for me
to prove it."
"Oh, Michael! What terrible
things YOU do say! You never, never
said any of these dreadful things
about yourself to me before. How
you have chaEged!"
II must give you up, Audrey"
ooh" She looked very much puz-
zled. "But YOU did that long ago.
And SO did l. We were obliged to.
weren't we? And we were obliged
for the sake Of others to meet as
friends before the world. We &C.
cided that, too, years ago. There's
nothing new in that, is there, dear?"
Michael shook his head firmly.
eve must so through with the
thing thoroughly 10 the bitter end"
said he. eve must meet 70 more.
You must try TO forget me-
ooh, Michael, When you know
you wouldn't like it if did,"
Like it?" said Michael hastily.
Does the criminal like the hang
mans Moose? Does the OK like the
butchers knife? Eut l must 60 it,
dear, and YOU must help ne. You
must learn to turn G laughing face to
the world, and some Cay, years hence,
you will marry some sensible, pros
porous, Flooding person and be calm
ly contented-if not happy"
"Oh, Michael, what en- uns2eak-
ably unattractive ideal" Audrey
cried, with much real distress in her
voice. And what a pity to spoil
everything when it's all SO settled and
comfortable"
Comfortable? You find it COM
Portable, Audrey-this racking mis-
cry of indecision, this hopeless, fret
ting suspense? This"
"Oh, o comfortable, Of course"
she amended hurriedly. But re-
signed, Michael-surely we are both
more r~esigned?"
He turned with a start and eyed
her curiou3ly, but she met his gray
! eyes with her innocent, serious gaze
and disarmed him.
You mustn't give ne up" she said
wistfully. II want to know that you
are near me-; to feel sure Of your love
for ever and eve" and ever. Don't
YOU"
Michael in despair turned away