The news and herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1876-1881, 1876-12-07
Se(etted gturp,
A WOM MAN'S WHIM,

OAo 1oFely moon lgnt
night u party of people sat on tue
verandah of one Of the princip II
hotels, discussing plans for making
a pleasure trip the next day. They
had come to tho seaside in search OF
health, they suid, and found love as
well, for every lady, with a single
exception, had gentleman by her
side.
The lady who sat alone WAS the
handsomest as we'll as the hauph-
tiest of the group, and appeared to
be vexed.
"I will not consent to it," she said,
in al irritated tone. "Just because
you know I dislike the man, you
all seem determined to force his
society uponme.
but, Miss Winstanly," said Mr..
Radcliffe, "there is no other gentle
man who can be your cavalier"
IL see that, she interrupted, with
sneer, "but don't distress yourself
about me. There's no necessity for
my going, SO I shall remain at the
hotel.
EMO, no" arose from the lips of
eighteen people.
"We won't go without you," said
Miss Stevens. "Do be amiable for
this once. It's our last party, anI
don't break it up.
"Grandfather" Sanderson next
took the word; he was called grand
father because, although but twenty
six years old, u few gay hairs al
ready appeared in his raven locks.
81 can't see for the life of me-" he
said "wny you "hould object so
strongly to George Blake. He is
frank. upright and open-handed."
ALSO smells of tho sawdust," re-
piled Miss Winstanly with d most
provoking curl of the lip.
Exclamations Of reprobation from
every one, for the gentleman under
discussion was universal favorte.
"Come now, Kate" said Emily
Lyttle, "that's uugenerous. Two un-
:!arstood thnt he w:ls born Ain that
class Of life and of course cannot be
blamed, as he availcl himself of tho
first favorable opportunity to leave
it. He merits respect and not con
tempt"
There was such murmur Of ap
probation at this little speech, that
even the proud and fastidious Kate
felt somewhat ashamed and hung her
head.
"The only amends you can mako
for being SO hard on him is to con
sent to be his partner for the day"
"No; no. Apart from is form
cr disgraceful life, I detost the man, "
replied Kate.
"Then," said Sandcrson, "you
must be punished for showing such
bad taste. Well have a show of
hands. Attention, ladies and gen
tlemen All those in favor Of Mss
Winstanly being escorted by Mr..
Blake tomorrow will please raise
their hands"
Every sonl did so with the excep-
ton of Kate herself, who rose in
stantly aud hurried away, blushing
with confusion and anger.
":She's dead in love with him,
lispcd little Mamie Peters.
''And so is he with her, and would
be at her feet in moment if she
didn't treat him 80 outrageously,' u
rcmarkeda q young fellow who had not
yet spoken.
Quoth Emily Lyttle "He's as
good as she is, every bit, if ho once
did turn somersaults in circus for a
living. Everybody knows that Mr..
Winstanly made his money by A
lould buzz interrupted her revela-
ton.
Sanderson loquit,v: zone Of the
,&yst rules of our society, Miss
Eyttle, is mo slander allowed. You
are on the point of breaking it"
"I'm sure lis not SANDER, but the
TRUTH" pouted Emily. "There are
plenty of girls as handsome as she is
tLat ho might have for the asking.
Chorus Of the ladies; "Plenty-
plenty-shoals of them"
Itwas pretty Leila Davids turn tc
speak.
"lt seems to me that in n small
nineteenth-century sort of way, this
is quite q Benedict and Beatrice
case. Two people affect to hate
each other, and yet are longing to
rush into each others arms, and
here are wo oil, friends of both par
ties, continually plotting and plan
ming to throw them together. I
wouldn't be surprised any time to
hear him say Against my will,
I'm sent to bid you come to sup.
per.
Radcliffe rejoinod "According
st.o the rules which we twenty men
'and women undertook to observe
when we oil met here for mutual
amusement, she must ride with him
tomorrow but how are we to gel
him to believe she has consented
willing 7"
'"That's easy enough" replied
Grandfather Sanderson. I'll hatcl
mp something for tho occasion but
don't any any of the rest of you say 9
word for he'sso sensitive that he hal,
suspects why she treats him SO up