The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-12-11
His Second Wife.

IAAS eSO~OAxN& w JAG,
What her dowry ten thousand, and
her age under eighteen! You are lucky
dog, Hewctt! Of course it's love
match?"
II fatter myself, yes, on the lady,
part, at least" and the speaker, a tall,
rather handsome man drew himself up SUD-
crciiously; "though, in fact, it is a family
arrangement.
''How is that2'
"Why, you see, Colonel Harding was
my fathers General Hewett's, greatest
chum. When dying, he left me and my
future to the formers guardianship; trust
he saw no better nor more friendly way of
carrying out than by an engagement bet
wecn myself and his daughter Kate 49,. the
sole lnheritor of rich aunt's wealth."
"Some people fall into pleasant places,
certainly! When is it to bc2"
''In month. fancy, since the Colo
mel has been such dotard as to take home
second wife, he would rather his daught-
crs room than her company"
''Possibly. Deuccd pretty woman, Mrs
Harding-eh9 Very sparkling, sclf .willcd,
and fast, I'm sure! Ia, ia! Remember,
am booked for the Benedict ceremony"
The two gentlemen between whom the
above conversation passed OH the steps of
a West End club, now parted-thc one ad-
dressed Us IIewett, known among his less
Jamiiars rs Captain Hcwctt, proceediug to
go by train to Colonel Hardlng's villa, at
Richmond.
Arriving there, in due course. he was
speedily introduced to Kate and Mrs Hard
ing; after exchanging greetings with whom,
he was summoned to see the Colonel in the
library. The ladies were surprised at the
haste displayed, and could not refrain from
remarking on the subject.
"Whatever is that for2" Kate remarked,
when the officer had gono
''ro sign your marriage settlement"
smiled Mrs. Harding.
'Nonscnse! BY the way, mamma, do
you not think papa has looked altered
lately2"
''For many days, Kate. fear some
thing is wrong"
''rhen fancy he mighttconfde it to yen
instead of the captain.
''True!' Mrs. Harding's lips preceptibly
contracted; then she added, "Kate. l for
got to tell my maid about the trimmings
for my dress next Friday. Would yon
mind doing so9'
Rising, the young girl went on her mis-
sion, when the others entire manner
changed. Her expression became grave,
perplexed. She cast aside her work, und
leaned her head on her hand.
"Can my husband possibly suspect?"
she murmurcd. '0rhere Is change in
him Kate sees 1t, tool Then there must be
a cause Can he have found us out7 If so,
everything Is ruined - ruincdl'' She
paused: then added, 81 must be certain,
I will"
Hurriedly throwing shawl of Kate's,
that laid on sofa near, about her, she
passed through the open glass door into the
flower garden.
Going to the side Of the villa, cautiously
she crept through shubbery of lilacs and
syringas until she came within sight and
hearing of the two in the library, the win
dow Of which was open.
Captain Hewett was leaning back in
chair, the Colonel, handsome, elderly,
militury looking man, sat by the table,
his brows contracted, his features express
sivc of pain and anger blended. He had
evidently been speaking vchcmcntly, and
exclaimed, as the listener came with range,
81 wouldn't have believed 1t of her! OF
all women, would have stacked my life
on the fidelity Of Constancel When you
Rnted that you had seen fellow lounging
aSslt the villa, I thought nothing OF it; but
Jackson, the undcr-gardcner, declares that
1t is true"
The listener became lived with rage. Her
Suspicious were well founded.
"What do you intend doing?" asked
Hewett.
"rhat Is my perplexlty. To accuse her
on the word Of an under-gardcncr seems
prcpostcrous," and the Colonel uneasily
@drummed the table with his fingers.
- Something must bo done, " he said, Ger
i shall 60 mad. ! can't support this terri
BILE suspicion, for-.-1 don't mind confessing
1T to you, George, who SO soon will be my
3Boon--I love Constance devotoly, What
was thata Why, tho window is open.
.AShut 4 IT.; we want no eavcsdfoppers. /" Y ,%: