The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-03-25
"a Wounded
Name
o0
BY ALvAH JORDAN GARTH
Copyright. 1913. BY the western News
paper Union-)

friends yet down in her heart Mabel
Worth confessed to herself that she
liked Leslie Burns better than any
y"un: man she had ever met.
She regarded him still more deeply
wl,n he and her brother, Mark, went
{" The city "a work for large mercan-
tile concern. Leslie did not venture
to write Ia her, hut she and her broth
er were active correspondents, and
second handed Leslie received pleas
ant. friendly tokens Of Mabers inter
est in him. and Marks letters were
full Of the goodness and kindly, help
full deeds Of Leslie.
There never was such chum," he
wrote. HE doesn't 60 out much on
pleasure jaunts evenings as I do, for
he is studying all his spare time. but he
helps me out in my work and Is like
dear loyal brother to me-"
At the end Of a year Mabel looked
forward to the anticipated business
vacation Of the twain with great pleas
ure, but Marx alone appeared and fair
ly startled and alarmed the family By
his hagEard, wornout and spiritless
presentment. he told that he had
been compelled to give up his position
because Of utter physical inability. and
the home physician confirmed the be-
lief that he was In a decline. Week BY
week Marks strength lessened, and
two months after leaving the city he
was 4 confirmed invalid. There was
such q rush Of work Leslie couldn't
come" he told Mabel. Sister. II l die,
I want you to be the best friend Les
lie ever had. for oh, he deserves It"
This was the incessant soul cry Of
Mark. 1t was almost unnatural, suspi-
clous. Many q time Mabel found her
brother in tears, and anxious Ques-
tioning only brought the explanation
that he was thinking Of Leslie and
all his goodness" Dying, Mark pleaded
to have them send for Leslie. he ar
rived barely In time to pass the last
hours with Mark, holding his hand
while Mark whispered his last
thoughts to him.
Leslie had changed and Mabel no
ticed It. He was preternaturally grave.
Mabel could not help but betray her
appreciation Of all he had been to
Mark, and the few days that Leslie
remained at the Worth home relieved
his seriousness not little, convinced
a he was that Mabel had more than
q sisterly interest in him.
She wrote to him after he returned
to the city and they became regular
correspondents. At the end Of q year
Unexpectedly Leslie returned to bis
home town. he had given up his city
position. secured local employment
and he and Mabel drifted still more
closely together.
One day after the lapse Of several
months Mabel was told by Leslie that
there had been some friction In his
new business connection and he was
compelled to arrange for work in some
other place, and then with crushing
force came a blow to Mabel next day
that seemed to sweep out Of her life
all its sweetness and hope.
Mabel" spoke her father. You VIII
not see Leslie again. The reason he
has lost his position is that his wound
ed name has followed him from the
city. In his employment there he was
m embezzler. and would have gone
to prison had he not consented to
make ND for the deficit by turing In
his earnings for year. You must
never think Of him again"
There came from a distance a week
later a brief but definite letter from
Leslie. telling Mabel that, a man
branded and dlsgraced. he could not
attach that obloquy to one he loved
and he was going to a far distance
to forget and to build anew.
Then two broken lives ran on drear-
ny during the next two years. Mabel's
father and mother died. She was LEFT
all alone qip the world She decided to
sell of thezhome property and pass
the remainder other life with an old
maiden aunt. Then 1hid these arrange
ments she made discovery that elec-
trifed the very depths Of her being.
ana sent her thousands Of miles away
IN quest of the lover who had left In
disgrace.
Leslie Burns had settled down in 4
mining district. securing work as q
clerk in a mill. He had sent for Wild
owed sister. had purchased neat
little home and they began a lonely
life. but one Of peace and comfort.
One evening as he entered the house
4 visitor to his sister arose and ad-
vanced toward him with outstretched
hands and a joyous cry Of welcome.
Leslie" she said simply. II have
come-ycome to stay, II you will have
me-" -
But the. paSt-your family"
THE past. oh. Leslie. 1t breaks my
49, ,o ,h;nk ~ n Efy-na rents both