The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-04-29

rs predicted; and now what are
you going to do?
Exactly what | told you
elope with the youth, myself
How can you jest so? A few
days ago you told me it was no
laughing matter. Is it any less
now? Yet there you sit, looking
as if it were capital joke
Il am not jesting, Annie, and
You needn't proceed to turn up
the whites Of your eyes, and look
sanctimonious, tor the causc OF
my high spirits is simply tho
thought that I've found a way out
of this ditficuIty-at least tor the
present-and perhaps forever, who
knows? Thought it all out last
night, when you were fast asleep,
you lazy thing. l shall elope in
Minnie's place.
Helen Chapman
Annie Graham =
You'll never astoniSh me again,
as long as you live, by anything
you may say or do. Well, let US
hear how this pretty little
maneuvre is to be accomplished
But frst-may count upon
your assistance p
Did l ever in my life refuse it
when you asked it, adventurous
girl?'
Very good here, then, is the
programme
A long and mysterious conversa-
ton followed, and the climbing
roses that enwreathed the little
summer-house peeped in at the
young conspirators, and stirred by
the June breczes, seemed to whis-
per to each other and nod their
faces in approval. AS the clock
struck nine that evening 4 warm,
soft rain was falling, and the night
air was heavy and odorous. The
two friends sat in the parlor gayly
chatting together: while Minnie,
silent and i'll at ease, restlessly
watched the hands of the clock IN
their slow march, and started at
every sound. After a short time,
Helen turned, affecting a yawn,
and asked her sister to step into
the dining-room, and bring her
some ice-water. The instant she
disappeared, Helen ran to the
clock and set 1T back ten minutes.
so far so good, said Annie, but
don't you begin to be afraid, as the
time approaches?'
afraid of that little bit Of pink
and white caudy!'
But il We faiI!' said Annie, un-
consciously quoting Macbeth.
we fail = exclaimed Helen,
striking an attitude. Still, I'm
free to confess that I begin to
experience a rather tluttery sensa-
ton about the region of the heart.
Hush! here she comes. Thank
you, Minnie dear; this is quite
refreshing. Heigh-ho. What does
make me so sleepy tonight? It's
only Il little after nine. Well,
nevertheless, if you'll excuse me,
Annie; | believe I'll say good night.
Minnie shall entertain you by
playing that pretty overture to
lie Premier Jour de Bonheur.'
And Helen tripped up stairs, bum
ming gayly, while her sister,
glancing once more at the clock,
shrugged her plump shoulders i'm
patiently, and seated herself at
the piano.
Helcn's voice died away as she
reached her room, and hastily let
ting her long hair fall down about
her shoulders, in imitation of her
sister, she threw a veil over her
face, wrapped herself in water
proof cloak, and softly stole down
the back stairs and out into the
rain and darkness.
It may be safely affirmed that
Minnie Chapman had never before
played the overture to lie Premier
Jour de Bonheur' 80 wretchedly
as upon this peculiar occasion. As
she rose from the piano, the clock
i pointed to twenty-five minutes
past nine. Hurriedly murmuring
something about having left her
crochet, in the library, she was
about to leave the room, when a
sudden cry Of pain, from Annie,
arrested her. what is the mat
ter?' she inquired, looking back.
'Oh, my eye! moancd Annie,
with an expression Of extreme an
guish. oh dear, what shall I do 2
Have you got something in
your eye?' asked Minnie, irrcso-
lutte whether to 80 on or linger a
moment to help her friend.
Yes; oh, what can it be? Do
try and get it out for me. OhP
and Annie screwed up one Of her
azure eyes very tightly, and glar-
Il IL.