The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1875-11-24
the street, nor hardly drew breath
till she reached home.

How drearY and meagre it all
looked! the few cheap dishes, the
scanty table-cloth, the half-covered
floor, the faded wallpaper, the
worn out chintz on chairs and
lounge.
I'm dreadfully tired, mamma; let
| me lie down" she cried in a sup
pressed voice, and threw herself on
the creaking old lounge.
"What is the matter, my darling?
T see-she didn't pay, of course ;
and not a stick of wood in the
house. Oh! the heartlessness, the
wickedness of those who are rich! I
thought-"
A loud rap. Laura hid her face.
Her mother answered the call, and
! in strode Hayden, almost defiant
| ly.
':At least you will welcome me,
Mrs. Stetson," he said, the old, fine
ring in his voice.
| Laura sat up, calm and cold
again.
"Annie sent this by me" he said
ard laid a sealed envelope on the
table.
"When did you get home?" ask
ed Mrs. Stetson, as soon as she
had recovered from her surprise.
"Only a few hours ago" was
Bart's reply. Il brought cousin
Jacks wife with me; she was order
ed home for her health, and Jack
couldn't leave, so I took Matte in
charge. Poor girl! I am afraid
home is not going to help her much,
nor indeed, anything else."
Laura made an almost impercep-
tible movement. She was far from
cold now; her very cheeks burn
ed.
"Wel, goodnight, he said steal
ing q glance at Laura, as he rose,
after answering Mrs. Stetson's in
quiries. give done my errand, and
Mrs. Stetson, you at least will let
me come, sometimes, and talk with
you, for the sake of old times 2"
The mothers reproving eyes were
fastened on Laura. What did the
girl mean by acting in this way?
''To be sure! if you'll come to so
humble a place. You see how the
wheel has gone round with us.
Poor MIR. Stetson- and the widow
could get no farther.
eyes, I heard" he said pitying-
ly, 'long ago. Annie wrote to me.
But I am not oneof the tickle kind,
Mrs. Stetson."
This with reproachful glance at
Laura.
"Good night" he said, next min
ute, and bowed to both ladies.
"Bart!"
Yes, it was Laura's eager cry.
She was ashamed of what she had
done, and was heartily repent
ing.
He came back with half Suppress
ed eagerness in his manner, his
glance wary, but anxious.
II was justa little rude tonight,
she said, looking dangerously beau
tiful in her humility. "Please for
get it."
"Indeed 7 WILL" and he seized
her pretty hand, his eyes radiant.
II understand! Oh,yes. I quite un-
derstand you were always such a
sensitive little creature! So you
forgive, eh ?" he blundered.
1T is you who was to forgive, me,
I believe" said Laura, demurely,
her lips quivering, ready to cry,
and to laugh, too.
''Mrs. Stetson, will 'ou allow me
to whisper 2" asked straightforward
Bart.
"Certainly," said the old lady,
her heart beating quicker. What
was going to happen? Had power
ty done it's worst for them? Was
there indeed bright hope for the
future?
| Bart put his full, shining beard
close to Laura's ear, and the Sec
ond time said the mystic words,
that had so long fingered in he1
memory. Laura did not repulse
him. He felt then that her heart
belonged to him, that it had not
gone out to any other.
So it happened that, after that
evening, Bart Hayden kept calling,
and that the widow invariably left
the two young people together
and the end of it was brilliant
wedding in less than a year.
|