The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-02

their religion was asked for, the ,plate was
never handed TO them in vain. Never,
however, in their recent experiences OF
poverty had their circumstances been SO
low as now. Lucy for the past month had
been unable to perform her usual quantity
OF work, 50 that the wage-fund npon which
the two women solely relied had diminished
to corresponding extent, until their sole
remaining coin was the siXpcncc the dispo-
sal OF which formed the subject Of discus
sion ere they left hcme.
The vicar was well &C ,,r. ntcd with
the resources of his consrngation, and
knew they could not contribute much
to the cause he pleaded; but, as he re-
remarked, they might ut least give por-
ton to Gods service and that the widows
mite rendered willingly was dcarcr in His
! sight than the gold grudglngly contributed
by the wealthy. But even at this appeal,
when Mrs. Willis observed the hectic flush
upon Lucy check, and noted how the cx-
crlion of even walking to the church told
upon her, she felt half inclined to harden
her heart in favor Of her young companion,
and to keep the last sxpcncc in her pocket.
But Lucy read Mrs. Willis's thought, and
whispering in her ear the words Good will
provide the money was given up in Il
trice, and the old lady's heart lcapcd for
joy at the self sacrifice which had been ac
compishcd.
."Now, MOTHER" said Lucy, when they
got within sight of their abode, ''wc wont
sit up in The dark talking, so us to lose the
glow our walk has produced, but go straight
to he'd, us must be up carly"
Lounglrg against the door-post, with his
hands in his pockets, and surveying the
outer world rs well us lie could through
clouds of tobacco smoke he was diirusing,
was the person Mrs. Willis and Lucy owned
as their landlord.
''Thcre's n gcnelman been here asking
for you" !" he observed to Mrs. Willis, with
Il tug at Lis pipe at almost every word,
"and said how he wanted you particlcr.
You see what you lose by going to church.
lie left note, think for you upstairs. /
Didn't speak to him myself, but my old
'ooman did, and if you want to see her
you'll find her at the Red Lion, in the Jug
bar"
AS neither Mrs, Willis nor Lucy had any
wish to seek their landlady in such place.
they borrowed Il candle from n lodpcr who
was not quite so badly off as themselves. in
order to read the note said to have been left |
in their room.
"Im afraidt's from Mrs. Smith, MOTHER"
said Lucy. eff so, it's blowing up, for
told her I'd make an effort to have her
dress done for ..hcr by last night, and, as
you know, did my best"
If the room in which they lived looked
uninviting in the daytime il appeared far
more dismal when viewed by the deprcss-
light Of Il tallow candle. But the residents
were pretty well used to the aspect of the
place, and therefore devoted their attention
to the note directly. The fickcring flame
revealed il lying upon the table. Lucy held
the candle and took the note but no sooner
did her eyes rest upon it than she turned to
an ashy palcnoss, and leant against her
companion for support.
"NIothcr, mother |" she gaspcd, 'I can
not trust my eyes. Read, read-and
quicklyp
Mrs. Willis seized the slip of paper, but
her eyes saw the same handwriting and the
same words as Lucy:
"Don't go to bed until you've seen
ALFRED"
Without word tho two women wound
their arms around each other, and wcpt
tears of silent joy; for unless some william
ous trick had been practiced upon them, he
who had for years been the cherished darl-
ing of their hearts had been given back to
them once more.
Ay, and was in.thc room even now rs he
quickly let them know, when he thought
their agitation had somewhat abatcd, and
that he could safely emerge from the hid
ing place he had sought beneath the bed.
Hearing from the residents of the house in
which he left his mother and his betrothcd
that they deemed him dead, and fearing
the effect his sudden appearance might
have upon them, he had left the note with
in their sight, in order to announce the fact
of his existence as gently rs he could;
whilst the frequent visits made to the Red
Lion by their landlord and landlady gave
him opportunity for secretly returning to
the house, and seeking hiding place where
he could watch the effect of his ruisc
The compassionate fellow-lodger who
had lent Lucy the candle waited long time
ere 1t was returned; indeed, as matter of
fact, that particular illuminating medium
was not returned at all, for it had nearly
burnt itself out ere any one remembered
that it had been borrowed; but really there
was every excuse, for Alfred had 90 much
to tell: How at first he had been unfortu-
In Australia; how, in fit of desperation,
he had resolved to try the diggins, and was
wonderfully successful, getting in less than
six months some nuggets that realized him
| Gin nm. how II rnoo1u uo6 NOT to foI,n l,;o