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


hole that gave entry to our little bedroom
and looked down.
All was dark, yet we could SEQ tho dim
outline of a man moving hithcr and thithcr
as though ho knew every inch of the ground
he trod. Now, we knew lie would be Ger
tain to carry arms and 80 wo had to be ex-
coedingly cautious.
Tom coolly placed an old fur hat on a
stick he had beside him, and hung it over
the hole shouting us he did so:
"Who's therc2"
We received no answer, but thought we
saw the figure move nearer to the cabin.
"Answcr," continued Tom, waving the
old fur hat, ''answer, or III fire."
But Tom had no time to do anything of
the kind, for the rascal fired directly, and l.,
looking through chink in the rough and
divided flooring, saw and recognized the
thief as ono to whom Tom and | had been
the best of friends. 1t was Simon Rail,
man whose reputation had been of late
far from satisfactory.
Tom and I were unhurt, and ere we
could get down, for we found that tho vii
lam had removed the ladder, Simon Rail
had escaped to cover.
All the settlement was alarmed, and
search made; but he was not found until
afterward.
Well, three years more of hard work
'ound me rich man, and Tom and /
reached Melbourne, and sailed with hope,
love and joy for England's happy shores
When reached home no one would have
known me with my beard and peculiar at
tirc-half settler, half nautical. Inecd not
tell you how eagerly sought out No. -
Northampton square. 1t all seemed the
same. Seven years and half had very
little altered London, so far as l could see
Yes, it all seemed the same until I reached
her house.
''How dirty and neglected." thonght I,
as gazed up at the dingy yet familiar old
place. 81 am certain Lilly cannot be here,
or everything would look brighter and
cleaner. Perhaps they havo moved; I'll
knock and sce."
So gave the door series of loud raps
just to enhance it's wakefulness.
"Well, sir, what is it9' .
1t was an old, rty-looking woman that
spoke, as she half opened the door.
"Do the Grahams live here still2"
olive herel bless yer mol They arc rich
folks now"
"Rich7" said I, and l bolieve I looked
dreadfully angry; as though thought they
had no right to be rich.
eyes, rich!' replied the dirty old gossip,
drawing nearer and opening the door wider
when she found my business was so simple
eyes, rich! and all through some gentle
man who started old Graham In business
some months ago. The old 'ouse 'as bin to
let ever since they left it--ten months ago.
Live-why, let me see-somewhero near
Reading, think, a little village called
D.. But that's not tho shop. The
shops in town somewhere. A statincr's,
I've heard say, and"
'"Thank you, thank you, that will do!
Here is trif1e to drink success to my
search" ..
managed to get away at last, and was
soon being conveyed over the lines Of the
Southwestern Railway to Reading
1t was a lovely afternoon when entered
the little village Of D.. I soon espied
the little cottage to which had been
directed, half hidden from the road by a
row of poplar trees, and it was with very
little hesitation l was soon walking up the
little garden path and ringing tho bell.
The Grahams were out, but I explained
that I was friend of tho family, and had
como very long way expressly to sec
them.
This gained mo the desired "open
sesame" and was soon ushercd into the
little parlor. Yes, this was Lilly's homo. T
gaZed around me as though 1 was in tho
sacred precinct of somo holy spot. AS my
eyes wandered around the swoetly scented
little parlor, they rested at last on somo
milliner's boxes that lay upon the table. I
had seen such boxes in my youth, and knew
thom to contain the appurtenances of mar
riago garments.
Yes, l read her, my Lilly's, namo on
them. lifted the lids slightly, and, alas
my fears were too true; they were tho
bridal decorations of Lillian Graham.
could only just manage to recover my
self as an open carriage drove up to the
garden gate. I could not sec them alight,
but soon saw an old lady and gentleman,
whom recognized as Mr.. and Mrs. Graham
and then saw the dear face of Lilly-saw
it to notice it was pale, thin and sad-saw
1t to quickly tell that even prosperity, and
perhaps the prospect Of an advantageous
marriage, had not made her look better, than
the merry, laughing little maiden of
sweet seventeen. ,y.t, ,., .3isF
And thon I saw gentleman, tall and
well dressed, with his back toward mo,
giving some, directions TO the cOachman.l
Moro than this I could not see Tor tho old
couple had entered the parlor,
ooh, Mr.. and Mrs. Graham, said, eager
~, edo you not know mos" rs ~
II, really haven't the honor" somewhat
stiffly replied the old gentleman.
"What not know Bob Phillips, that
whut to Australia eight years ago9'
Bob Phillipsl good God!", y
Y This last was uttered by the tall gentle
man, IN tone Of dundisguised surprise.
My name had seemed to create a varied
impression upon them all. The little old
gentleman looked petrifed, while Mrs,
Graham appeared frightened and presently
broke out quite tragically:
"Robert Phillipsl risen from his grave ="
3 sRisen from his gravel" said ], growing
still moro confused and surprised at this
unexpected turn of affairs.
eyes, sir, from his grave, !" said Mr.,
Markham; "yes, sir, itno use OF your try,
ing to pass yourself off as that young man.,
lie has been dead these three years. IIwas
present at sifuperal myself. z. eyl js, 4
Indeed, said T. smiling, but almost
nbfI1ir,ne