The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-11-13

,
swcr," said he; "thcrc can be no difficulty
in that.''
"Nonc, of course" replied Alberta hasti-
ly, "and one thing 1t is my right to say
will not he bothered and worried and pcrsc-
cutcd about thing that is entirely my own
concern"
"Ncvcr by me-" said Mr. Crichton, the
smile OF Il moment ago changing to- sudden
gravity, eff am to understand that you
look upon my attentions in that light. l
love you far too well to give you mo-
ments pain. Do you mean that That is
yonr answcr?"
"4cs, thnt is my answer" said Alberta,
with unnecessary vchcmcncc, "and par
ticularly beg may hear no more on the
subject"
"That you shall not, he sure. God help
nc to bear this as best | may" and i'm Il
moment he was gone.
She was wilfnl, but she had not expected
this. In a few minutes he had vanished
from view as he returned to his solitary
home.
And then she was quite sure that sh
loved him.
1t was just year later. Alberta, with
her parents, had been staying in the same
city, when she got letter from Mrs.
llinXman asking her to spare her few
days, and she concluded to accept the invi
tation.
Alberta did not look back with pleasure
on the year that was gone. 1t had come to
pass that Alberta had failed to gather much
enjoyment from any of the old sources. A
regret, contrltion, al Unsuitable yearning
haunted her, and spoiled everything be-
sides And now that 1Gmiy's letter had
come, Alberta could not resist it,
Though she did not admit it to herself,
she felt somewhat strange that the first day
OF her stay she did not meet Mr.. Crichton.
The next day passed too and then came
the last evening" and very beautiful one
it was, making Albcrtas heart ache at the
thought of leaving on the morrow, although
she had inwardly known hut little peace or
satisfaction throughout the visit. But there
was something in it of relief however. Mr..
Crichton had come over to dinner, and thcy
were not allowed to sit long after it, for the
children had been promised to 20 and soc
the field where some workmen were burn
ing charcoal.
So off they started, Mr.. IIinxman with
Alberta, MIR. Crichton with Emily. The
children were in ecstasics The glowing
hills of fire made n scene that set them
shouting with joy. AS the shades lcepcncd,
tho fires came out brighter. The whole
field was network of bright edges, spark
ling and dartng like fire flies, and full of
mystery and romance. They were all get
ting childish and merry, and the children
were half beside themselves with the fasci-
nation and adventure of it all. Something
of last years cordiality flashed out again
between Mr.. Crichton and Alberta in the
unguartlcd gaicty of the moment. 1t was
much too delightful to be left, but the night
was drawing on, and after repeated re-
prieves, the children, hot and excited, were
collected together, and the homeward Jour
ncy began.
In returning, the gentlemen running race,
and playing with the still excited childrens
Emily and Alberta fell behind, and reached
the hall door alone, when they found bas-
kct had been left behind. Nothing would
do for Alberta but to fetch it herself; she
said she had wanted all along to see that
field again, and forbidding Emily to say
where she had gonc she was off round the
corner of the house. 1t was not far to 20
only short cut across two fields, and the
gate was reached. Presently she became
aware that one Of the gentlemen had fol-
lowed her. She stood in the dark end of
the field under the trees from behind which
the rising moon now sent tongues and shafts
and trembling mysteries Of light across the
shadow. Her white dress, however, be-
tmycd her, and much to her annoyance,
lest she should have been supposed to fore
sec this consequence of her coming, Mr..
Crichton in few steps was at her side
81 am so sorry You should have taken
the trouble to come," she said. 81 begged
Emily not to say | had come to fetch it,"
elias something been forgotten? have
not spoken to Mrs. IIinxman since, but,
seeing you return to the field in hurry, l
thought you had lost something, and that I
might be Of USE"
"Thank you; 1t is the basket; but know
exactly where to find it," They went few
steps farther on and found it duly awaiting
them in all innocence in tho charcoal field.
MIR. Creighton took it up, and they turned
their staps homcward almost i" silence. AL
berta walking very fast. Once she gave
little slip, but recovered herself.
"The ground is very slippery with tho
dew. Won't you take my ?" said Mr..
Crichton.
mo- thank you; I shall do very we'll, !"
said Alberta, slipping again in proof of it.
"Is there any occasion to go quite so fast ?"
he asked; ''the night alone deserves some
notice. One could rarely sec a finer"
mo-" admitted Alberta as they stopped