The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-07-17
The Old Letter.

John Gilfoy sat Oh the porch of his pleas
ant home, looking at the beautiful scene
before him, while the book upon his lap lay
unnoticed.
For half an-hour re had sat motionless,
with that wistful, far-seeing absorbed gaze
in his blue eyes, while Mrs Gifoy had sat
equally motionless watching him.
Between them, sleeping softly, lay their
child, yellow haired baby, like to its
father in its Saxon fairness.
Presently along the coHntry road near by
sounded the rattle of wheels, and as the
carriage 'rew near with its one passenger
there came suddenly into his face look as
if those disturbed visions had strangely
taken life.
SO indeed they had.
The woman now almost beside the porch,
was Ella Mason, his second cousin, with
whom down here at their Aunt IIettie Ben
sons he had spent one o-bc-forgottcn
summer.
He had been thinking of her as he looked
upon the bay, where, three years before,
they had passed so many hours together.
And now at this sudden appariton of
her, his eyes gathered an awed, startled
look, as at the sight Of one long dead.
For one instant, when the carriage had
rolled in front of tho door, Miss Mason sat
regarding the group before her with wide
wild eyes.
Then as John Gilfoy controlled himself
and came forward to help her alght, Fila
recovered from her surprise and greeted
him with al easy courtesy
"What a surprise to meet you here, Mr..
Gilfoy had no idea aunjc was enter
tanning such pleasant guests" said ELLA, as
she stepped from the vehicle.
eve only came yesterday" said John.
''Neither my wife nor child have been well
this summer, and I brought them down
here for change of air."
Before Ella could reply, footsteps came
rapidly through the hall and Aunt Hettie
hustled forward.
Claw salSes Ella, is it really you2"
81 rather think it is, alntic," returned
Ella, with little laugh getting up to give
her aunt kiss.
'Well, am glad to see you l could
scarcely believe my eyes when John brought
your letter this mornin' sayn' you was
a-goin' to stop here on your way. Why,
child, it's an age since I've seen your dear
face"
'"Only little age, auntie; something
over this babys here, " responded Ell, still
smiling.
"Come to think" pursued her aunt,
''you and Miss Ross aud John were all here
together last. You sce," she continued,
looking at Mrs. Gilfoy, 81 can't get quite
used to calm her by the old name"
Ella gave al almost impciceptiblc little
shivcr.
"What draught ther1 Is berc, auntic. "
''You're warm with travclin', child. Sit
down here, away from the door, and get
cool and rested, and Jemima shall bring
you glass of milk while I get the room
ready for YOU"
So Ella sat there and talked with her old
time lover and her old-timc friend.
But the conversation was restrained
one, and all three felt relieved when the
, aunt made her appearance to announce that
the room was ready
'Jemima's taken up your valiso, and I
think you can find your way there without
much trouble, Ella. And | thought I'd
getful in my old age" she continued, refer
ring to an envelope she held in her hand.
"You can't think how.bcat was when we
found it yesterday mornin' You see when
John sent word that he was goin' to bring
his wife and the baby down here, Jemima
and went to work to give Miss Ross's old
room little extra clean, and what should
get from back of the mantel, but this letter
for you. was a goin' to write and tell you
all about 1t, as soon as got the chance"
'"Thanks, auntie, dare say 1t is of little
account" responded Ella, lightly, holding
out her hand for the old yellow-white en-
velope.
And then as she recognized John Gilfoy' IS
well-known chirogaphy, her face paled, her
fingers trembled, and she turned hastily
but not before she had seen that James face
was as ashy as her own, and her eyes Of
frighted, and had met a glance that was a
revelation. @
In her own room, with the sound Of his
voice floating In at the open windows, she
read what John Gilfoy had written three
summers before
celia, dear Ella, / am called abruptly
away; and though shall hasten my return
as much as possible, must say now what
: was deferred from finishing last night--that
I love you beyond aught else in the world.
In two hours Miss Ross will have given YOU
this Write me, then, by tomorrow 3 post,
my precious love, that I have read your
eyes Alright, and that your heart is mine,
and you will Civ me your life also.
n, S}li JonE G1LFoY.
Her eyes dilatcd, her beautiful, colorlest
face grew more and more strangely white,
! the sheet futtered from her nerveless fin.
gers. He,; John Gilfoy, the man she Slat
loved 30 hopelessly had cared for her aa aht
had once dreamed ,sy
And, now, she could hear him caressinp
his child another woman's husband. III ::
Should she sho's him the letter--reyea
4, Il a