Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-11-02
A Test Of Honor. or.

| = 49, ~ q 80 i
A Test of Honor. i;ii
4 CA story written by one of the
High School teachers. We leave the
reader to guess who the hero and
lheroine are.) q. 5sit s. II s 81
Billy Marchant walked buoyantly
up the wide stone steps Of his sweet
hearts home. He was happy. yet q
close observer could easily discern
an anxious look on his handsome
face. Billy was soon in the drawing
room before roaring fire. In a few
minutes Miss Terry came in and his
troubles began. IS
sBessie," said Billy though his
heart was beating furiously, Bessie
you promised me an answer today,
and I've come for it. Say you love
me, say that you will be mine, sweet
heart and" i. "
Careful, Billy dear. careful" II
warned Miss Terry, "don't let your
Southern inclinations lead you intofsa
lifetime bargain. Hold one Don't you
dare" a
"Billy," said Miss Terry, a few
minutes later, when all was quiet
again, care you going to enlist?o
"I had letter from Governor
Smith today. He offered me aScap-
Itain's commission in the Seventh
regiment. Of course Pm going. But
sweetheart"
Bessie Terry arose from her chair
and gazed down at Billy with a scorn--
full stare y s
"You are going to South Carolina?
You are going to fight again your
flag? You are REBEL" #
81 was born and reared in South
Carolina, you know said Billy.
eyes, 1 know. But you have been
in the law here for four years. You
are New Yorker now, Billy.
Billy quietly shook his head. "I be-
Ilong to the state of my birth. You
wouldn't want me to be asHaitor to
my sovereign state, would gon?"
"That's what you are, astraitor to
your flag. Billy, I'll give you one
chance. If you love me enlist in the
New York Infantry. Father can give
you captains commission. If you
don't love me and value my love, go
Ito your little South State and don't
even come to tell me goodbye" With
these words Bessie left the room.
Billy's mind was in turmoil. Slow
Ily he walked home. scarcely knowing
where his footsteps led. He stalked
up to his room, slammed the door,
threw his coat and hat on the table,
and sat down to think the matter
over. In vain he wrestled with him
self. But his love for the girl was an
equal match for his sense Of duty
his love for his native stateso the
combat was fierce; for hours Billy
sat perfectly quiet, while his brain
ragged.
ga girl that would put suchsa prop
osition to man does not deserve
but oh! my! Bessie, how can ! give
you up? I love you! I love you!
The next evening found Billy again
in his sweetheart's drawing room.
She suppressed a little sigh when she
saw how haggard and worn he was,
and her heart smote her. ~.
"Billy, you have come to tell me-"
"That I will have to give you up,
Bessie. / must go to my country /
leave tonight"
With little cry Bessie threw her
self into his arms, and he folded her
to himself and kissed her.
"But-but, 1 don't understand"
said poor Billy.
"Dont you see, darling! 1t was
you! was testing you, not your, love
for me. / knew you loved ME, Billy.
You are man"
Part ii.
(Three years later.)
Bessie Terry came out Of the IL
brary in tears. Her fathers words
were ringing in her ears. .'No! You
cannot even communicate with him.
He's a rebel! He killed your brother
at Gettysburg-my, poor son. How
can you even speak Of him? l forbid
you to have anything to do with him.
The traitor"