The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-07-29
LETTICE.

IA DltICl uuy.
Not pleasant day to travel on, by any
means but then Lettice Mainwarng was
one Of the sort that makes the best of every
thing. .. :.
''It's long journey over the hills, miss, {"
said the wife Of the landlord of the little
onc-story tavern that was perched on the
crest of the highway, "and the SHOWS
powerful deep"
81 think winter landscape Is the pref
tiest thing in the world" said Lettice,
cheerily, as she wound her fur ro.nd and
round her neck.
''And old Stokes's stage is awfully un-
comfortable" added the landlady.
4 like stage riding" asserted Lefty.
''You'll not get there till dark"
'Oh, that Is sooner than / expected"
And Lefty climbed up into the stage
coach which stood croaking and groaning
at the door, having just rumbled up from
the naXt village. mile or 40 down the hill.
posite corner--a tall, dark man, with Span
ish sort Of complexion and clear, dark eyes,
who wore an odd sort Of olive-green cloak
ormantlc, heavily trimmed with sable fur.
He nodded briefly in return to Letty's
smiling recognition.
Our little heroine would have talked with
polar bear, had polar bear chanced to be
her travelling companion.
Lettice arranged her bags and her basket
and her bonnet strings, and wondered 60
crctly how tar the tall man was going.
"Can be of any assistance to you z"
courteously queried the gentleman, rs Let
ty searched in the straw at her feet for a
dropped glove ),
again with very red cheeks, and curls lit
In oh Ind Ava no
through2"
GAS far as the stage goes-yes.
"Oh," said Miss Mainwaring $50 am
The gentleman nodded lnterrogatively
and went back to his paper.
'tCross thing" thought Lefty, involum-
tarily pouting her cherry lips. 'Why can't
he talk and make himself agrceable9 And
he knows very we'll that we arc to be shut
up here together for eight long hours"
But the wild landscape, as it fitted by,
white, cleaning with enows, and darkly
fringcd with the waving boughs, was, after
all, nearly as good study as the "human
face tivine."
Lefty soon forgot her temporary annoy
ance and chagrin In the white, skeleton-like
wall of deserted old paper mill, long since
disused and fallen to luin.
" WOnQer IL IL lS nauntcu Salu snc,
aloud
The stranger smiled and laid down his
paper
''Do you believe in such things9' he
asked.
Lettce Mainwarlng laughed and colored.
"Of course not. And yet. Arc you
much acquainted with this part of the
country
81 have lived hercabouts good deal"
ooh then perhaps you know Easterham
Halle" g,,.e,a..
His face frightened.
ooh, yes. You are going there r.
eyes. / am going to be governess to the
little children" said Lefty, making haste tc
enlighten him as to her true position, In
order that he should fully comprehend that
she was no elegant young lady coming tc
the Hall to mako q visit, but humble lit
tie working girl, who was obliged to toi
steadfastly for the daily bread she ate.
sIndeed |" he said.
And Lefty was vexed at herself for no
ticing the polite indifference into which hii
tone subsidized.
81 suppose it is a very fine old place,
che went on.
.sVery--for those who fancy fine ole
places. To my taste they are apt to bt
overrun with rats, full of draughts and pic
tnresquely inconvenient'
.i Y {"And haunted, perhaps 2" mischicvouslJ
put In Lettice, the roguish sparkles coming
back to her eyes. :,
/. $50 far as ! know, Eastcrham klall Il
free from any supernatural occupants.
IT am sorry for that" said Lefty.
He arched his eyebrows
"You would like to share your room witt
aghost or two ~ f
"No; but do like a little tinge Of 70
nance about the place something to set
4. above and beyond the level Of the common
= place. nt Il
He did not answer, and talkative Lett
once more set the conversational ball roll
& ing. q & q .5| 81 !. 8. i.Sss
.sThe Easterharns are very rich, I SUP
pose ~ = ! ",
yes, /" \; S. 8 q Il .j
81 never heard Of them until last week,
said she, lmusinngly. "And now--if'' %