The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1871-01-11
sMINNING AND LOSING A
WIFE.

I'd and glowed where the sun had
set more than an hour ago. From
the woods that crested the gentle
slope, came at intervals tho plain
tive cry Of the poor whip-poor-
will, and the whole scene WAS full
c of delicious rcposc. The windows
Of the little inn that nestled among
the hills, as if it had grown up
: Shere among the oaks and beeches,
were drapericd with roses, whose
crimson cups swung to and fro IN
the fragrant wind that had been
stealing perfume from q thousand
sheltered copses and blossoming
wild flowers. It WAS I pretty,
picturesque spot cnough-not a
fashionable hotel by any means,
but merely 4 stopping place for
the stages that performed trl-
weekly journeys over the steep
roads to the mineral springs that
lay eight or ten miles beyond.
In the white curtaincd apart
mcnt, disni6ed by the title of ''la-
dies parlor," one passenger was
quietly sauntcring up and down,
waiting for the arrival Of the
aforesaid stage. By the light Of
the solitary lamp on the taele, she
looked very fair ard delicate in
her dove-coIored travelling dress,
and the pcar!y cdging Of lace
rouu4 her throat and wrists. Her
hair was just that shade of pale
brown that vcrycS into gold, and
the brilliant hazel eyes, fringed by
long curled laShes, gave an express
sion Of winning softncsS to tho
whole face. You never would
have suspected that this girl was
3 belle aad c beauty in the draw
ing rooms Of the metropolls-she
seemed 50 formed by nature to
deck the quiet solitude where she
was at this moment. Thus capri
ciouSly does Fate scatter her girl
blossoms ovc: the face Of this
earth
Is she paced the floor, playing
with q srriy Of roses she had gath
cred from a saucy branch which
fairly hang into the room, and
singing softly to herself, the door
opened and ruddy-Eaced old gen
tlcman, armed and equipped with
carpet. bags inaumerable, made his
appearance.
The stage is ready, Mary y
$50 soon, papa?"
80 soon. I should think it was
time! Here I've waited q mortal
aaif.hour in this savage place,
where Il body can't so much as get
q good cigar or week old news
paper! I, for one, shall be glad to
get away from it. Give me your
travelling basket, my love-take
care of the turn in the steps! Here
we are, safe inside.' And away
went the numbering vehicle.
"Ho!d Oh, driver, here's pair
of belated passengers for YOU"
The officiating Jehu drew in his
horses with i jerk, as merry
voiced hailed him from the road
side.
Groom for two inside ?"
"Just room, sir
The door swung crcaking on its
hinges, and closed again. Miss
Verc's heart had involuntarily
quickcned in its pulSations the
moment those clear, pleasant ac-
cents had chimed through the
heavy night air, and she knew
shat two rival lovers, whose COM
pany she had been disappointed in
not having in the stage, were
about entering on the scene. But,
with all a woman'S pcrversity, she
sat silently in her corner, and was
secretly rejoiccd that papa" was
sleeping soundIy in his corner.
The two young men, (Altred Cor
don and Frank Milbrookc,) who
had walked ahead to 1 command
ing point to see the sun set, soon
came into the stage, which again
went jo!ting along until it sudden
ly stopped once more.
"What arc We stopping for
now?" exclaimed Gordon.
The stage-door was opened with
aa abruptness that had nearly pre-