The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-04-20

Winning and Losing A Wife.


The young crescent moon hung, like
. curved thread of silver, in the orange
horizon that still burned and glowed
where the sun had set more than an
hour ago. From the woods that orest>
ed the gentle slope, came at intervals
the Plaintive cry of the whip poor will,
and tho whole scene was full of delicious
repose. The windows of the little inn
that nestled among the hills, as if it
had grown up there among the oaks and
beeches, were draperied with roses,
whose crimson cups swung to and fro In
the fragrant wind that had been steal
ing perfume from thousand sheltered
copscs and blossoming wild flowers. 1t
was pretty, picturesque spot enough
mot fashionable hotel by any means
but merely stopping place for the
stages that performed tri.weekly jour
neys over the steep roads to the mineral
springs that lay eight or ten miles be-
yond.
In the white curtained apartment,
dignifiedby the title of "ladies' parlcr,"
one passenger was quietly sauntering g
up and down, waiting for the arrival Of
the aforesaid stage. By the light of the
solitary lamp on the table, she looked
very fair aud delicate in her dove color.
ed travelling dress, and the pearly edg.
ing of lace round her throat and wrists.
Her hair was just that shade of pale
brown that verges into gold, and the
brilliant hazel eyes, fringed by long
curled lashes, gave an expression of win !.
ming softness to the whole face. You
never would have suspected that this
girl was belle and a beauty in the
drawing rooms of the metropolis-she
seemed go formed by nature to deck the
quiet solitude where sho was at this
moment. Thus capriciously does Fate
scatter girl blossoms over the face Of
this earth !
AS she paced the floor, playing with
a sprig of roses she had gathered from q
saucy branch which fairly hung into the
room and singing softly to herself, the
door opened and ruddy faced old gen.
tlcman, armed aud equipped with carpet
bags innumerable, made his appear
ance.
"rhe stage is ready, Maryw
"So soon. papa u
$50 soon! should think it was time!
Here Ive waited mortal half an hour
in this savage place, where body can't
80 much as get a good cigar or wcck
ola newspaper I, for ono shall be glad
to get away from il. Give mo your trav.
cling basket, my love.-take care ofthc
turn in the steps,! Here we arc
safe inside" Aud away went the lumb-
ering vehicle
"1old on, driver, hcro's pair of be-
lated passengers for you !"
The officiating Jehu drew in hi- horses
with jerk, as merry voice hailed him
from the roadside.
Groom for two inside ?"
"Just room, sir"
The door swung creaking on its him
ges, and closed again. Miss Verc's
heart had involuntarily quickeued III its
pulsations the moment those clear, pleas.
ant accents had chimcd through the hea.
ynight and air, and she knew that two
rival lovers, whose company she had
been disappointed in not having in the
stage, were about entering on the scene.
But, with all woman's pcrversity, she
sat silently in her corner, and was secret.
ly rcjoiced that "pnpa" was sleeping
soundly in his corner. The two young
men, (Alfrcd German and Frank Mil
brooke,) who had walked ahead to a
commanding point to see the sun set,
soon came into the stage, which again
went jolting along uutil it suddenly
stopped once more.
"What arc wo stopping for now 2"
exclaimed Gordon.
The stage door was opened with an
abruptness that had nearly precipitated
Mr.. Gordcn out upon tho green turf,
and the driver shouted
"Gentlemcn and ladies, can't you maxi G
room for one more z"
The expectant passenger presented
herself on the steps. by the uncertain
glimmcr of the box lamps, she appeared
to be shrivclcd old woman, of nearly
seventy, with crumplcd black bonnet,
a pair OF rusty cotton gloves, and an
umbrella that must have been bequcathn
ed to her from tho days when there
were giants upon the earth Alfred
Gordon viewed her tout ensemble with
dismay.
Groom, driver what are you talking
about ? we are crowded already ("
81 know it, sir but her dartcr's sick
and she wants to get to her right away.
It's old 'Siah smiths widdcr, down to
,"
81 dop't care whose widow she is
there isn't room. Look at her camphor
bottles and musty crapc--a nice com
panion to be jammed into close coach
with. Go ahead driver; judging from
the looks Of her shoes, walk offour or
five miles won't hurt her ~
"Gordon for shamew exclaimed
Milbrookc, rcprovingly. "IIavo you
forgotten that sho is weak aud aged
woman /? I'll ride outside myself. Ma