The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-04-19
Anaessu,a gntelligeufm.
NOT PROVEN.
CHAPTER I.

that disclosed in the old rectory garder
on that bright winter morning. Tiptoe
her arms raised to branch OF growing
holly, her glossy hair falling from ne.
fair face over her seal-skin jacket, ane
her violet eyes sparkling, was May West
leigh, the rectorfs daughter, while withil
a few feet of her, watching her effort
with much amusement and vast amour
of admiration, stood Thomas Mildmay, {
handsome young muscular Christian, az
tired in tweed suit and felt hat. Sud
denly the latter burst forth:
''lt is the rector's daughter,
And she has grown so dear, so dear,
That would be the jewel
That trembles in her ear"
"Don't be absurd, Tom," interrupted
the lady. "You are gallant gentleman
truly, to see female in distress and no
aid her."
"Have not offered six times at least
May, and been refused?"
''And will be again, sir. This is TIT
most lovely piece of holly i have seer
this season, and am determined that NJ
other fingers than mine shall touch it
until give it to my dear Jack, when hi
comes this evening. They don't grow
holly in India, do they Tom?"
'eNo, think not"
"Then it will be welcome offering tt
an English heart. Oh! how glad, how
yery glad, I shall be to see the dear ole
fellow"
"If you speak so enthusiastically, May
'pon my word l shall be jealous" re-
marked the gentleman.
"Jealous-you! and Jack? Nonsense
Why, Tom, I love him Ike brother
Wewere brought up, you know, as chill
dren together"
$50 he told me, May, when we met IL
India, and he gave me the letter OF intro
duction to the rector. Indeed" pro-
ceeded Thomas Mildmay, still inspecting
the gathering of the holly, which persist.
emily clung to its parent stem, "he spoke
so necessarily about you that | fancied-'
'tPray what, sir?"
'sThat there existed deeper affection
than brothers. and sisters, May"
(Which shows how you were deceived
Talking of women jumping at hasty con-
clusions Men are thousand times
worse. There, after all you must lend
me your knife, Tom; the branch will not
break, it is so tough"
Thomas Mildmay produced it again
offering his services, which, notwith'
standing the obstinacy of the holly, were
again rejected. -,
"Cut upward, not downward, May" he
cried, suddenly stepping forward; "the
knife is sharp"
The warming came too late; the keen
blade had flashed through the tough
fbers, and penetrated Mays slender
finger. -
It was not q very serious cut, but suf6-
ciently so to cause the blood to leap forth.
The CRY she uttered was echoed by her
companion, whose arm quickly enclrcled
her dainty waist as he caught her hand
in his.
20 dearestw he exclaimed in concern,
"why did you not permit me Z"
"Because," answered May, q little pale,
"I said no one should touch this branch
but myself, Tom, and no one shall. But
see r' and She held the holly toward him
There is blood upon it, and it is bad
omen."
He glanced at the bough, and truly,
fallen on it, as bright as the berries
themselves, were the crimson drops.
"Bad omen, Mayw he laughed, wrap
ping her wounded finger in his handker-
chief. "What childishness! Why, you
are absolutely pale. Pom my word,
YOUR concern for Jack is already making
me jealous" :,
"Don't let it do that, Tom," she said
brayely.
"I am sure you love me so truly that,
were you Jealous of any one, / imagine
that you would not be answerable for
your actions"
He caught her. in his arms and pressed
q Kiss on her smooth cheek.
"My darling, you are right" be replied
grayely, in his turn. "lf l thought /
should lose yon, or another was seeking
to win YOU from me, think should
either kill him or myself"
"Now you are talking pure nonsense,
Tom, dear. Let US 60 in" she laughed,
and, taking his arm, they moved over
the crisp, frosty lawn to the quaint old
rectory, a very Jack in the green OF IVY
which encircled its highest gables. But,
even during the embrace, May had kept
the holly branch from coming in contact
with Thomas Mildmay, and did so still.
Was this an omen too?
CHAPTER II.
The clear winters morning had given
place 10 bleak, wintry night, and the
snow dashed sharp and cutting into the
faces of the rector and his old pupil,
John Westmacott, as they whirled along
the dreary Scottish road from the galway
station to the rectory.
"Now, Doctor" exclaimed Jack, mer-
rily, "let me take the reins while you tell
me the news. Remember the road?
Ave, every stone of it, as if I had travelled
it but yesterday. How kind it was in
you on such a night to come and meet
me. How jolly I feel to see old Caiht-
ness again. What song is that May used
to sing about there being no place like
home? Neither is there. And how is
May-bless her heart! Older, of course; !;
and pretty, will swear"
'eWell all the change you will find in
her, Jack, Jig for the better and L have
one piece Of news that will surprise you,
perhaps, but I think I will leave it for
May herself to tell, or your own eyes to
read"
Why did John Westmacott start and
grow anxiously nervous for that news
and no other?
'Nay, DOCTOR" he remarked, "remem;
ber how long I have been away, and
don't tantalize me. What is it? Does
it concern-concern May"
"Yes, Jack. She is engaged to be
married" - -
John Westmacott gripped the reins so
sharply that the horse reared. 1t gave
excuse for his temporary silence; then
rather huskily came the interrogation:
"To whom, doctor?"
'eYour friend, Thomas Mildmay." =.
"My friendp' muttered the ex-pupil
between his teeth; Course himW Then
lcc ~ hon,