The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-09-16
"4cS, Slr; any answer 2"

lie knew she had always seemed pleased
and happ when with him, and though not u
conceitcd or vain man, he hardly thought
her answer would be no.
but their love seemed destined not to run
smoothly, for the note that would have
made Maud 80 happy never reached her,
and this is how it happened: The aforesaid
small boy, having received the box, pro-
ceeded to carry it in the way boys invara-
oily do, swinging it from side tn side, wrong
SIDE up or any other way, it made no diff
fcrcnt e. OF course this one came to grief
accor nry. Having one finger in tho
string ti">. around the box, he was swing
ing 1t the best of his ability, at the same
time gazing in opcn-mouthcd admiration at
a boy about his size who was pommclng
one several degrees smaller on the opposite
side of the street. Being occupied in look
ing at them, he did not see the ice on the
walk, and consequently came down with a
force that brought tears to his eyes
Having sat there q moment rubbing his
head with an injured expression of coun-
tcnance, he gathered himself up and limpcd
along to pick up the box. Now the string
had slipped off the box, when Johnnie sat
down with such force, and the poor little
violets slid off tho walk into the gutter,
while the note, lying against the snow did
not attract his attention. Taking up the
bouquet of flowers, he deposited them in
them in the box, and tying the string Sc
curcly round it, started Off at a good round
pace, arriving at Mrs. Evans door without
any further calamity Detailing him.
~ young man who was talking with some
one had seen Johnnies fall, and cspicd tic
note. Picking it up, he called to johnnie :;
III, II il,oi >1,
pcarlng around the corner, he did not hear.
The young man, thrusting the note in his
pocket, forgot all about it, being in Il great
hurry to catch the traiu, with only five min
ntcs left in which to reach the depot.
Ten o'clock saw Frauk making his way
through Judge BIS lighted parlors.
Looking eagerly, he espicd Maud surround
ell as usual by crowd, for she had many
admirers beside the young lawyer. lie
could catch a glimpse of her now and then,
parted aud lie was able TO see hor plainly.
Looking, he could see no violcts; he rubbed
his eyes and looked again; but it did not
improve his vision; there were certainly no
vlolcts in the bonny brown hair.
He stood there, feeling himself grow
white and cold, till he was conscious that
his face would tell strange tales if anyone
accostcd him. Turning, he left the room,
gong out on the vcranda, and there sat and
fought the bitter fight out. A less manly
man would have blamed Maud, would have
accused her of leading HIM on for her own
amusement; but lie loved her too well.
lie alone was to blame; he had thought it
was love he read in the brown eyes raised
80 slyly to his; if she did not love him, that
was enough he would never make her I'M
happy by aluding to it, but would try and
be nnsefish enough to be happy when he
saw her 80 in some other mans love-
After time he went back to tho parors,
knowing he should be questioned as to his
non-appcalance if he did not.
Now Maud had seen Frank when he cn-
tered the rooms first, and missed him when
he disappeared, wondering what had be-
come OF him. When he entered the par
lors again, she stood talking with some one.
Looking at her as he passed, he said,
''Good-cvening," and quietly passed on to
where Miss Fenton stvou, and Maud heard
him ask her to dance.
Annie Fcnton was sunny little blonde,
and Frank had paid her more attention
than anyone else except Maud. And now,
when she she saw them together, she thought,
"What If, after all, he does not love me
lie has acted strangely this evening. Pos
sibly he is in love with Annie Fcnton 1t
would he nothing strange if he wcrc Men
arc ever tickle and cbangcablc, with Bit
ter smile, and the wisdom of her eighteen
years. "Not even to give me an oppor-
tunity to thank him for his flowers But
he seems completely infatuated with Annie
Fcnton," looking at Frank, who was bend
ing in seeming devotion over. the little
blondes chair. "I}ut ] will show him |
can be as gay as he; lie shall never know I
love him."
SO Maud danced and flirtcd, till you
would have thought she was the happicst
of the happy bit pride will do much, and
pride upheld Maud till tho weary party was
at an end.
After that, Frank avoided every place
where he was likely to meet Maud, and be.
came morose and melancholy. AS for
Maud, She went out as usual, but went in a
listlcss fashion that had become habitual to
her now, causing her mother much anxiety.
But If Maud was miserable Frank was
no less so, though he, having more to occu-
py his attention, did not feel It as kccnly as
she. Still, he was not feeling in very
cheerful mood, one morning, rs he sat in
his office, looking intently at the fire, and
pulling at his cigar like whole volcano.
when suddenly the door was thrown open,
and IN rushed the stranger who had picked
up the lost note.
"And how are you 2" he inquired, seizng
Franks hand and shaking it heartily.
"First rate" replied Frank "Whcn did
you get back"
"Oh, this morning; thought I would
drop in and sec how you were. Seems to
me you arc not looking remarkably Jolly
what's the troublcf Lost your money, or
has some one left you out of his will, Or"
with q laugh, looking at his friends gloomy
facc-"has some one refused you7 Come,
guess I've hit 1t this time, }" he said, as his
friends face slightly flushed. 'sYou were
rather sweet on Miss Evans when I left.
You may as well own up; she has refused
you 2"
Frank was naturally of reticcnt nature,
but nc never could withstand Tom I.orimcr.
Why, he and Tom had known each other
since the time they wore roundabout jack
cts-had helped each other out of innumo1-
able bOY sCrapeg--had heen room.matca Of