The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-06-28

IL uOt 0lCORctncr an unplcaSunt one e.
thought that / was an immensely elo-
qucnt and fascinating fellow, and that she
knew it; think now that l was q fool,
and have reason to suppose that she was
quite aware of tho fact.
She gently drew her hand from mine, ut
tered half-suppressed sigh, and said:
Mr.. Bascomb."
"And dare HOPPE" began.
She checked my impctuosity, saying:
Remember, Mr.. Bascomb, we have been
acquainted but few hours"
81 feel as though [ had known you a
| lifetime" said $50 pardon ME if re-
peat my question; may Ihope-2"
"You may hope for much in the future, {"
she interrupted gently; ''for the present,
however, it would be well to dismiss the
subject"
Of course, conld do no less than obey
her bidding, but tlattered myself that she
| was considerably ''struck" by me.
On our arrival in New York, asked to
be allowed to escort Miss Gardner to her
aunt's house. But she replied that her
| cousin had promised to meet her in the de-
| pot. | at once conducted her to the ladies'
room, where | requested the privilege of re-
naming with her until her Cousins arrival.
But she could not allow even this, and
reluctantly took my departure. She was
| evidently anxious to get rid of me for some
purpose or other, and I concluded that it
would be impolite to oppose her wishes.
AS l entered a car to 60 down to my hotel,
| looked back and saw at the window Of the
ladies' waiting room my fair travelling COM
panion, and by her side tall, fine looking
man. They were both laughing heartily
For moment imagined that they were
| laughing at me. But conceit soon came to
the rescue and banished that idea; what
was there in my appearance to exotic merri-
ment9 The notion was absurd
| Thut afternoon got tho diamonds from
| their hiding place in the bank vaults, and
! deposited them in q safe corner of my valise
and said to myself:
''Now, tncn, the man doesn't live who is
smart enough to get them jewels away from
mel"
The valise was not out of my sight that
day, and when took my scat in the eight
| o'clock train that evening placed it by my
side, and resting my arm upon it, mentally
congratulating myself on my superior saga
city and shrewdncss.
Presently drew the evening paper from
my pocket and was preparing to make my
self as comfortable as possible under the
circumstances, when my eye fell upon the
form of a lady in front Of me, the contour
Of which seemed familiar. An instant later
sprang forward, valse In hand, and ex-
claimed:
s'Good evening, Miss Gardneri"
For the lady was no other than my pretty
travelling companion of the morning.
She looked up, and saw that her face
bore the evidences. of recent weeping.
"Ah, good evening, Mr.. Bascomb," she
| said, with an attempt at smile.
She removed her bundles and l seated
myself by her side which, imagined, might
have boen reserved by her in expectation of
my arrival. Iplaced my valise on the floor
at my feet.
"You are returning sooner than you ex=
pected," remarked.
"Ycs, Mr. Bascomb," was the fearful re-
ply. 81 received telegram only an hour
ago, stating that my poor papa met with an
accident this afternoon, and is lying In a
very dangerous condition. OF course
| started for home at onpe."
expressed great sympathy, offered any
and every assistance in my power, ana, in
short, did all could to assure my compan-
ion of the intense interest felt in hor wei
fare.
But my solioitude about Miss Gardner
was not 30 great as to Danish from my mind
the responsibility which weighed upon 1t.
I did not forget that had In my charge
ten thousand dollars worth Of diamonds,
WHICH, possibly, some clever thief might
have his eyes on even now kept the va
lise tightly locked between my feet, and
did not allow my vigilance to relax even
when I was the most assduons in my ut
tention to my fair companion.
| "Will you be so kind as to close the win
dow 2" asked the lady presently.
Of course I sprang % my feet, and exc
cutcd her bidding with alacrity; not forget
| ting the Yalise, however. When turned
half expected that it would be gone, for |
was growing nervous IA the distance to my
home lesscncd, but there it sat exactly as I
had left 1t, From that time until the train
stoppep at B., at midnight, did not
lose sight of the bag.
"Good-bye, Miss Laura" said, as
| pressed her little hand and arose to leave
the car.
-!.'Good-bye, jack" sho responded, with
q bcwildering glance from those wonderful
eyes. ., a
4 was enchanted but already the train
AltN DCSuh w AOfO H"uJ tioilA pAAo ,FAiitsSoo
station, so was compelled to rush from the
presence of my Duloinea at q most undigni-
ged pace, pnstponing an expression of my
raptures till some future time.
s'Here ye are, after all, sir, said Patrick,
the old coachman, who met me as stopped
upon the platform, ''Sure, the ladies have
been very nervous about ye, the whole day,
and they sent me to meet ye wild the car
riage." 1.. lll.3
| muttcred something not very compli-
mentary about the ladies, as jumped. into
the vehicle. as@ Ua anag ,a
'tSure, sor, said Patrick, as he leaped
into the bus and started the horses, 'did ye
have any throuble In gettin' the diamonds
8 fe here ~ .lth 3'}i,
Certainly not, Patrick" I replied with
dignity. ~g.
7"Well, dye know, sor, there's been a
dale o. worryin' about ye at the house this
day. BY the way, sor---excuse the liberty
who was that young lady seen yo a
| talkin' to in the car ~ a,l4 s