The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-20

nd. one day attempted liberties which
she was prompt to resent In a way
he did not relish. After that Ira let
her alone. She never liked the man.
She knew him to he unprinciplsd as
we'll as vicious. One night he brought
Howard Jeffries to the restaurant.
They seemed the closest of cronies
and she was sorry to see what bad
influence the eldar sophomore had
over the young freshman, to- whom
she was at once attracted. Every
time they came she watched them and
she noticed how under his mentor
Howard became more hardened. He
drank more and more and bseame a
reckless gambler. Underwood seemed
tn exercise a baneful spell ever him.
She saw that he would soon be ruined
with such a man as Underwood for a
constant companion. Her interest In.
the young student grew. They be-
came acQuainted and Howard, noe
realizing that she was older than he.
was Immediately captivated by her
vivacious charm and her common
sense views. They saw each other
more frequently and their friendship
grew until one day Howard asked her
to marry him.
While she sometimes blamed her
self for having listened too willingly
to Howard's pleadings, she did not
altogether regret the step she had
taken. II was most unfortunate that
there must be this rupture with his
family. yet something within told her
that she was doing Gods work--sav-
Ing mans soul. Without her, How
ard would have gone swiftly to ruin.
there was little doubt of that. His af.
lection for her had partly, II not
wholly. redeemed him and was keep
ing him straight. He had been good
to her ever since their marriage and
done everything to make her COM
Portable. Once he took q position as
guard on the elevated road, but
caught cold and was forced to give
II up. She wanted to 60 to work
again. but he angrily refused. That
alone showed that he was not entirely
devoid Of character. He was un-
fortunate at present and they were
poor. but by dint Of perseverance he
would win out and make a position
for himself without his fathers help.
These were their darkest days. but
light was ahead. A long az they
loved each other and had their health
what more was necessary?
Say. Annie. I have an idea" sud.
denly blurted out Howard.
What II II, dear!" she asked, her
reveries thus abruptly interrupted.
Il mean regarding that $4,000. You
know al about that $3.50 which once
lent Underwood. never got II back,
although I've been after him many
times for II. Hes slippery customer.
sut under ths circum stances think
it's worth another determined effort.
He seerns 20 be better fxed now than
he over vas. He's living at the AS.
trutia. mafins q social spiurEe and
all that sort OF thing He must have
money. I'll try to borrow the $4,000
from him"
He certainly appears to be pros
porous" replied Annie. Il sec his
me In the newspapers all the time.
There Is hardly an affair at which he
In not present"
Yes" growled Howard: II don't
see how I've does II. He travels on his
cheek. principally, I guess. His name
was among those present at my step.
mothers musicale the other night"
Bitterly he added: That's how the
world gom. There II no place for
me under my fathers roof. but that
blackguard 10 welcomed with open
arms!"
u thought your father was such q
proud man." interrupted Annie. "EIow
does he come to associate with peo-
pie like Underworld"
"Oh, pater's an old dolt!" exclaimed
Howard in'patiently. There's no fool
like an old fool. OF course, he's sen.