The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1871-02-15

her wore 'plalnly marked by
something warmer tnan politcness.
Presents, too--fowers aud hot-house
fruit found their way both from Mr..
Tom and Mr.. Charles, to the widows
table. OF the two, Mr.. Tom was by far
tho most in earnest. Yet she feared to
encourage Gather, and for some time
preserved all attitude Of strict neu-
trality b,twccn the rival powers, and
could conscicntiously report that she
was on terms of the closest friendship
with each of tho belligerents tho
fact being that the key Of her impar.
tality was less matter of sentimo ont
than desire to ascertain the relative
standing Of the two brothers in the
eyes of their father with regard to
future contingencies.
1t was not long before she had an
opportunity Of satisfying herself on
this point. The sincere admiration
she professod for the Infallible Oint-
ment made old Brookshank's IS sister hcr
sincere friend for life, apd Mrs. Win.
bush became visitor at the big
house. She soon found that old
Brookshank had bad opinion of his
eldest son, Tom. Partly, jcalously
Of a man who professed tho art Of
healing as derived from books, and OK
pressed sccpticism as to the iuspira-
tion Of the ointment, aud partly dis.
trust of a u,an who might find out its
sacred ingredients and hold them up
to public derison, contributed to his
bad opinion. Tom was hereto, and
an unbelicrcr In the Brookshank creed
"a scoffcr at the best authenticated
Northumberland held the govern
ment stamp in open contempt.
Charles was not so. Hard man of law
though he was, he consumed quantities
Of the ointment, or profossed to do so,
and always said it did him good. Mrs.
Winbush would talk ointm by the
hour with old Brookshank, and con-
sequently became a great favorite, be-
sides eating the credit for being a
most discriminating woman. The
old man would even go 30 far as to
show her his unpublished testimonials,
and produce great bundles Of letters
in praise Of himself aud medicine.
These the widow would peruse with
an exhibition of rapt interest, which
was certainly very ed,fyink. Work
ing on the confidence 80 obtained, she
gathered very clearly taat the younger
son would most likey come in for tho
largest share Of the ungucnt property.
That being satisfactorily ascertained.
Mrs. Wimbush warmed perccptibly
in her manner toward Mr.. Charles,
the lawyer, and froze in the same pro-
portion in the aspect she presented to
Mr.. Tom, the doctor. The result was
something of an cstrangement between
the brothers. Tom felt tho treat
ment, but determined to know his fate.
He came to the widows house, and
with very little preface, made her on
offer-plump.
"Really, Mr., Tom" said Mrs.
Wimbush, "you entirely surprise me.
Surely, I can have given you no
encouragement to-to hope-that-"
"Mrs. Wimbush," said Mr.. Tom
eve are neither Of us Chickens" (the
widow winced,) "although, doubtless.
I ANA good deal the older Of the two.
[ am not sentimental, nor romantic ;
30 pardon my plain speaking. With
regard to encouragement, you have
given mo quite enough, perhaps, to
warrant my expecting q favorable
answer. The plain question is, Will
you marry me. Tom Brookshank,
NJ. D., aged forty-two Ia man,
though I say it, who wont make
bad husband, as husbands go,"
The widow looked down, and twis.
ted her handkerchief around her fin
gers, plating it in knots upon her lap,
but did not reply.
Mr.. Tom looked into his hit and
then out Of the window. Then ho
said "fardon me am | too late
Is there prior attachment 7"
Without venturing a reply in
speech, Mrs. Wimbush bowed her
head.
Mr.. Tom slowly gathered together
his hat, his stick and his gloves, and
went out. "Confound that brother of
mine 7" said he to himself when he
got into the e.rect, "lAlways supplant-
ing mo.
CHAPTER Nv.
1t was a large picnic party. Mr..
Charles Brookshank had drawn Mrs.
Wimbush's arm through his own, and
strolled away from the rest.
GLOW delightful it would be if one
could know the language of birds, as
folks did in tho old Hindoo fairy
tales Would it not, Mr.. Brook
shaDk1"
"My dear Mrs. Wimbush, they do
nothing the whole day long but mako
love and cry, Sweet /! / would I
were bird, to make love 10 music"
The widow sighed, but it was more
like purr Of pleasure.
"What did l know Of love till you
came here7 continued Mr.. Charles.
Absolutely nothing--"exoept," no