The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-09-06

~ Don't Want to Follow You Anv.
where. This Is Where ! Want to
Stay"
I know" She was terrified by the
thought that perhaps she would not
be able to tell him. She leaned heav.
lily upon table with hand turned
backward, whitening her finger.tips
by the weight thrown on them.
About what?" he repeated with the
caution Of one who fears. He could
not doubt the genuineness Of her emo.
ton; but he would not accept her
statement OF it's cause until he must.
"Oh," cried Fran, catching a tenn
pestuous breath, uneven, violent, "you
know what / mean-that!"
The dew glistened on his brow, but
he doggedly stood on the defensive.
You are indefinite" he m,lttered, try.
ing to appear bold
She knew he did not understand be-
cause he would not, and now she real.
lied that he would, If possible, deny.
Pretense and sham always hardened
her. "Then," she said slowly, II will
be definite. / will tell you. the things
1t would have been better for you to
tell me. Your early home was in New
York. but you had a cousin living in
Springfield, where there was a very
good college. Your parents were anx-
ious TO get you away from the temp
tations Of big city until you were
OF age. So you were sent to live
with your cousin and attend college.
You We're with him three or four
years, and at last the time came for
graduation. Shall l go on?"
He fought desperately for self.pres.
ervation. What is there In all this %
You had married, In the mean.
time." Fran said coldly; married Sc
cretly. That was about nineteen years
ago. She was only eighteen. After
graduation you were to go to New
York, break the news to your father.
come back to Springfield for your
wife. and acknowledge her You grad
uated; you went to your l,ather. Did
you come back?"
my God!" groaned tho man. So
she knew everything; must he admit
It? What is all this t0 your" he
burst forth. "Who and what are you,
anyway-and why do you come here
with your story? II it were true"
"True!" said Fran bitterly. "If
you've forgotten, why not go to
Springfield and ask the first old citi-
zen you meet? Or you might write
to some one you used to know, and
inquire. II you prefer, Ill send for
one OF your old professors, and pay
his expenses. They took q good deal
OF interest in the young college stu.
dent who married and neglected 10.
sephine Derry. They haven't forgot
ten 1t. If you have"
.s You don't know" he gasped, chat
there's a penalty for coming to
peoples houses to threaten them with
supposed facts in their lives. You
don't know that the jails are ready to
punish blackmailing, for you are only
a little girl and don't unde rstand such
things. give you warning. Although
You are in short dresses"
YES" remarked Fran dryly. 81
thought that would be ali advantage
TO you. 1t ought to make things
easier"
How an advantage to ME? Easier ?
What have to do with your"
Il thought" Fran said coldly, that
1t would be easier for you to take me
into the house as little girl than as
grown woman. You'll remember |
told you I've come here tc stay"
ITO stay!" he echoed, shrinking
back. Your
"Yes," she said. all the cooler for
his attitude Of repulsion. II want a
home. Yes. I'm going to stay. want
to belong to somebody"
He cried out desperately. but what
am l to do? This will ruin me--oa,
it's true. all you've said don't deny
1t. But l tell you. girl, you will ruin
me. Is all the work Of my life to
be overturned? I shall &c mad"
mo, you won't" Fran calmly as.
sured him. You'll do what every one
has to do, sooner or later-face the
situation. You're a little late getting
to 1T, but it was coming all the time.
You can let me live here as an adopt.
ed orphan, or any way you please,
The important fact to me is that I'm
going to live here. But on't want
to make 1t hard for you, truly don't"
Don't your" He spoke not loudly.
but with tremendous pressure of de-
sire. Then. for Gods sake, go back!
Go back to--to wherever you came
from. I'll pay all expenses. You shall
have all you want"
"All ] want" Fran responded. "is a
home. and that's something people
cant buy. Get used to the thought Of
my staying here; that will make it
easy"
"Easy!" he calculated. "Then it's
your purpose to compel me to give
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