The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1915-09-30
me-" she said. ri have come to
know you through your books"

know you through your books"
There followed a long and ami
mated discussion of books and au-
thors until dinner time.
"She is a darling" Jules told
himself as he lay in his berth listen
ing to the rhythmic measures of the
engines that night.
The voyage passed in success
sion of days of sparkling sunshine.
Mrs. Marshall remained perforce in
solitary confinement, and Jules was
constantly with Salome, who grew
fairly radiant with happiness. He
came to have an odd feeling at
times, as if in some pre-existence
she had belonged to him; then his
new fancy would be succeeded by
the mystic charm of the other.
Early in the morning of the last
day of their voyage he came out on
the afterdeck. Salome was already
there. AS she turned to him he
saw shadow of sadness in her eyes.
"This is our last day." she said in
low tone.
eyes, and I am sorry" he re-
Piled simply.
'1 wish you were coming with us
to the north of England"
He did not reply at once.
'1t can't be-" he argued to his
troubled self. '1t is only the first
futtering fancy of young girl
the fancy for an older man and one
who writes. 1 shall not see her
after we land. Still in a young, ro-
mantle girls heart affection some
times fourishes in absence. l should
tell her. l will"
"Salome"-the name slipped out
unconsciously-'I should have told
you before, but I disliked to talk
about my personalities. 1 am mar
ried."
He then briefly related the cir
cumstances of his marriage.
Before the ceremony" he con-
cluded, 'I had considered only my
part in the affair. | was narrow
enough to think that because she
had been denied certain advantages
little money would recompense.
1t may have been great need for
herself and others that forced her
to this step. At any rate, l should
have talked the matter over with
her. | am going to return to New
York if she wishes and have the
marriage annulled."
He glanced at her for the first
time during the recital. His heart
leaped to life. In her eyes was an
exquisite softness. A slight mois-
ture dimmed her lashes. She held
out her hand.
''Thank you for telling me. And
now | must tell you something. /,
too, am married"
"You! Salome, imposslblew
81 was married the night before
We sailed in Mr.. Coyle's library"
"Salome, the woman l married
was tall-very tall"
81 stood on STOOL"
'Her name was Mary"
'My first name is Mary. I never
use it except to sign"
He gathered her close in his arms
as one who claims his own.
"Salome, only the recollection of
my wife was between us. Will you
be my wife-my real wife?"
There was a revealing answer Of
joy in the face upraised to his.
"Ten me-" he commanded, Chew
it came about"
"My aunt engaged Mr.. Coyle to
manage our estate. He learned how
interested l was in your books, and
he talked much of you and the will.
He proposed this marriage and
planned the voyage. He said we
could find out if we cared"-
'1 can't imagine Coyle's being ro-
mantic," he laughed.
'It wasn't romantic. He would
not have proposed it if"-
"If?"
'Oh, Jules, l can neither read
nor write! | have been blind since
l was four years old until three
months ago. Aunt read your books
to me-"
Another Solomon.