The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-28
N early Too Late.

"aS lCiI I'LL Oipual aL LllC apC Ol IOur,
but was brought up by a kind aunt and
uncle. My childhood passed mcrrily
enough until was about eight, when my
uncle, hearing of the Australian gold fields,
determined to seek fortune abroad, in
stead OF toling for mere pitancc at
homo.
So | was transferred to family by the
name of Graham. They were middle class,
plain, homely pcople-working goldsmiths,
in fact-and lived in Northampton square,
Clcrkenwell
They had but one child, daughter,
named Lily, who, being only three years
younger than myself, we became great
friends 1t was natural also that as 1 grew
up and went proudly out to earn my few
shillings week, and drew nearer to man.
hood, should learn to love my pretty little
playfellow.
circumstances went on thus happily un-
til was twenty and Lilly seventeen years
OF age, and then a communication from
my unlco in Australia informed mo that
they had capital opening for mo.
was loath to leave Lilly; yet, as I was
dong very indifferantly and had heard of
snch great fortunes acquired in such short
spaces of timo by energetic men, sum-
moncd enough courage one day to toll the
mined to GO to Australia.
l shall never forget nv parting at Black
wall Pier I shall never forget my pretty
little Lilly clinging to my neck, and sobbing
aloud, and imploring me not to go, and I,
struggling between the influence Of love and
enterprise, trying not to be.a coward, when
felt already that was one,
1t was in vain / tried to cheer her; I
think did not look 30 very comforting,
though, If remember rightly, rccollcct
saying:
'sNevor mind, Lilly darling, shall return
ono day and make you grand lady. I
shall be sure to succeed, and shall return to
mako you happy!"
My tears, I know, wcro threatening to
break tho feeble barriers that held them
back, and when she said:
"Ahl but suppose you never do return
shall break my heart, Robertl"
Why, then think did shed tear or so
only to keep her company.
AT last the boat pushed off, and Mrs.
Graham-good, kind old soull-still kept
her arms around Lilly, as sho waved her
final adicu to her orphan protege.
l arrived at last at Melbourne. I went
miles overland, and at last reached my
unclo's settlement, but had not long been
than had anticipated. l stayed with him
for little time until took dislike to
far,ning-for that was what my uncle had
made most of his money at-and ioincd a
party OF young fellows starting for a now
gold field farther up the country.
Three years passed slowly away, and I
began to get along much better, and had
sent many nugget to Melbourne. I had
only rcceived'one dear cherished letter from
Lilly, written on her eighteenth birthday,
and sending me a lock Of hcr pretty chest
nut hair; yet J. thought i had no cause to
foar, as l knew that writing letters docs
not give young ladies half tho Joy Of re.
coiving them, and / wrote often enough.
We'll, timo went en- had found u
staunch, true friend about my own age, and
wo woro like brothers We always worked
together. and whcn we had been out four
years and a half, Tom Thompson-for,t that
was the name of my, faithful fricnd--and !,
wore getting rich
knew that I was nearer homo and moro
likely to gain my dear little Lilly every
month worked; but also was aware of
the desperate crimes and terrible deeds
that were boing committed around us by
the rangers and other villains. / knew that
our roputatioTwas as dangerous as crafty
ing; and SO 1t was; perhaps I should not
mention the incident, as 1t seems to pro-
long q part Of the story that needs most
brevitY, but, as 1t bears directly upon the
nltimatum Of tho tale, i shall trospass upon
your Kindness to give 1t In full.
One night Tom and had retired to the
bedroom we had built above the basement
of our little house, and / was already dozi
ing whilo Tom, having carefully seon to
the revolyers for I need not tell you how
necessary they are In a country whero jus-
tice is obtained in such a. rough and ready
manner) !, was also yielding to the drowsy
god, when we fancied We. heard something
move in the room below. s s,s sti5 lgl
Both wero quickly, though silently, on
tho alert, for we knew that, though not
much, wo had still some gold that had hot
been dispatched TO Melbourno. We know
that somebody |, cquainted with Its hiding
place, had, escaping our; notice, secroted