The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-18
TRI-WEEKLY EDITION,

gng her to return, and she could give no
reasonable excuse for staying much longer.
One morning, nearly three months after
she had boon there, Il sudden tho ught came
to hcr--it was the very day that Dell had
mentioned as her wcdding-day.
The full force OF her sorrow came upon
ncr with the thought ; she had tried to live
it down, but the relentless fingers of mem
ory tore the wound open afrcsh, and with
binding tears in her eyes she leaned against
the huge, bleak rock beside her.
She had wandered from the house: her
chamber stiflcd her; she wanted more air
more room to still this pain which was eat
ing into her heart and brain.
Once or twice she wrung her hands in
impotcrL misery, the choking sobs shaking
her slight figure from hcnd to foot, and
strangling in her throat.
With an aching beat, her heart returns to
the thought of Marks wedding. with drca-
rincss that blottcd all that was beautiful
out of the sunlit blue waves that danced
mcrrily, now at her feet now swiftly run
ming out to sea curling crisriy in foam
capped ridges.
Who was that coming down the path
from the house, she wondered vaguely, as
she turned her hcsd, impclcd by some
strange instinct.
Nearer and nearer the figure came, and
she c'aspcd her hands together over her
bosom to quiet the tumultuous thrObbing
Surcly cly-surcly, it was Mark. The world
seemed slipping away from ncr, the roar of
the sea sounded in her ear us il mutilcd by
distance.
ooh, my darling"
The words thrilled her, axd then came
the terrible realization, that for an instant
his presence had dispcllcd, that he had no
right to address her in this manner.
"Iou forget YOURSELF" she SAID, coltlly,
her heart aching and beating ficrccly, "you
forget that "
lie had imprisoned her hands, and was
looking down into her eyes with Il grave
questioning glance.
She ceased to struggle, and waited
waited with proud, high head for his words.
moment he stood there, then dropped
her listlcss hands, and folded his arms,
keeping his eyes bent upon her face.
'Laidcc, what meant you by this notc2
You dismiss me without word of cXpla-
nation; is this the way you love me? AT
first thought l would not seek you, but
you have so grown into my life, my heart,
that l have broken all barriers of pride,
and have come to ask what | have done,
to repair the fault, if by any fault of mine
have offended you, and tlcn-oh, God !!
to bid you farewell"
The peculiar, shifting light fell across
his face, and his voice rose and fell with
the liquid intonation of the sea-
She looked unstcadiiy at him rs he ceased
speaking, and still disbelieving him, she
gathered her dress up haughtly, and tried
to pass him.
lie put his hand out and stopped her.
NIou Shall answer me-" he said passion
atcly, his voice vibrating with inward emo
ton, what have done what have done 2
One word, dear, only one word. Do not
let us part forever, for the sake of pride. :"
She turned proudly toward him.
'Iou are the most dctcstable creature
that walks the carth--a firt. Your place
is not here, but by the side of your wife"
'Wifc," he said in n moment, falling
back pace or two"
care you not married, or-going to be 2"
she fallcrcd, q little wonder struck at the
clearly honest air of her lover.
mo, nor am likely to he, except to
yourself"
"Isut Dell Somcrs," she said, still p,lz-
Zlcd, but growing very white.
lie burst INTO loud laugh, and she
angrily turned away, and commenced walk
ing swiftly toward the house.
Zone moment, DEAR" he gaspcd between
laughing and trying to keep up with her.
'Dcll was married carly this morning to
-" and he gave out brcathlcss
"Whom 2" she asked, stopping short.
''My father"
She saw it all thcn---thcy had the same
name; he was by no means an old man,
and had always fancicd Dell /; but she had
not dreamed of this. Blinded by pride and
jealousy she had asked no questions, had
secluded herself from all further knowledge
had, in fact, nearly made herself miserable
for life
She smiled through her tears as he gath
cred her to his breast, this time without
any resistance; ludicrous as it was she
shuddcrcd when she thought of what the
result might have been.