The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-11-24
LLOYD Kingman's Rival.

1T was face tor tradegy-dark,
passionate, melancholy. The mouth
sweet, the eyes, so dark, SO luminous; {;
the ehcsnut brown hair, so utterly
beautiful She looked innocent of
her fate, standing there in tho red
light to tho damask curtains, a.. IN.
conscious of Lloyd Kingm ans eyes,
that one could not hope she would
pass unscathcd the ordeal of that
bad mans wicked thoughts.
." When she felt his hand touch her
shoulder she started.
"Mr. Kingman"
"Madgc u
Her soft eyes dilated she attic mpt-
cd to retreat, but he prevented tho
movement. @>
"Don't be afraid of me, child. L
have something to say to you"
Her face was not encouraging, but
he overlooked, as was characteristic,
her wish.
81 love you. I want you to be my
wife, don't shrink from me in t.,at
way. You have nothing to be afraid
Of. Iwant to take care of You and
make you happy.
She stood silent, trembling.
"You do not know where live. 1t
is beautiful place, full of trees and
fountains and arbors covered with
blossomcd vines. The house is full
of warm, rich rooms, you could wan
der all day, and constantly find some
thing new and beautiful. There il a
little boudoir, rohcd in crimson, that
has always been waiting for my wife.
1t has pictures, and couches, and soft,
swinging lights in alabas.er, for dark
winter nights like this. There is n
library, holding thousands of vol
nmes, Madgc. You find all the fairy
tales and poe ry that you want, little
one. Will you conc 7"
She shook her head tremblingly.
"You noed not promise now. Lis
ten, / have wealth and power, but no
one to love me. You can make me
happy. Is that any consideration to
your very kind hcart?"
She lifted her eyes to his face. They
fell again.
"But do not love you," shc said
simply.
''Let me teach you!'' he said.
p She tried to think; drew quick
breath.
"Don't be troubled,'' ho said. 81
will give you all the time you want.
Only do wear this to remember me
by, for am going away tomorrow to
be absen. week.
AS he spoke, he slipped golden
circlct on hor hand--a ring of dia-
mond, glittering like fame.
At the same moment some ono cn.
tered the r, r,on---the public boarding
house parlor--and Madgo escaped,
bew,ldercd, oblivious of everything
but her fnriously beating heart and t o
weight of jewels upon her hand.
She locked herself in her room
throwing herself upon the bed, and
lurying herself in the pillows but
tiat did not prevent her from hearing
the wheels of Mr.. Kingman's coupe
grini away from the door. lie came
there o!ton, but she never knew that
fhe had been the attraction. But sho
saw it ali now, and it nado her dizzy.
She lay there long time, getting
restless at len 9Th, and tossing fever
ishly as it grew dark. ,
AT length she rose, lighted o little
lamp, and knelt down before her
trunk. The light fell into il as she
drew out little box and opened it.
She turned some letters over hastily,
and drew out a photograph. 90
1t was mans head--a frank young
face, every limo pure and high-toned
The girl looked att with swimming
eyes.
eMartin how could you forget7'
she murmured. 9l l#
Then she laid the box, away, and
walked tho aoor until utterly exhaust