The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-09-16
The Bunch of VioIets.

Loudly rang the bell at Mrs. Evans door,
one morning, and Maud Evans, .pecping
out, saw small boy standing on the steps
whom she seemed to recognize Not wait
ing for Jane, the only servant in tho cstab-
lishnent, Maud ran gayly down stairs and
opened the door. The boy smiled in re-
cognitlon, and handed her box.
"Plcase, ma'am, ] was to give this to
Miss Evans; you're she, amt you2''
"Yes. MIR. Howard, your employer,
sent you, I suppose 2"
eyes, Miss. lie said as how there was
no answer"
every we'll"
Closing the door and running up to her
room she opened the box, and taking out an
elegant bouquet Of flowers, stood and looked
at them with tender look in the brown
. eyes, as if she was thinking more of the
giver than the gift.
$50 he has como back" thought Maud,
''and will be at the party tonight, since he
sent me these l wonder if lie will repeat
what he was going to say when we were in
tcrruptcd2"
Whatever the unfinished sentence was it
must have been something sweet to Maud,
for she stood there turning the flowers
round and round in her hand, with Il happy
look In the bright eyes, till she heard her
mother call.
'Maud Maudl Where arc you child
l wish you would como and help me with
this hcad-drcss want it to wear to.
night"
Mrs Evans was n widow. Her husband
had died five years before, leaving her with
one child, the Maud of my story. People
had thought Mr. Evans wealthy man, but
It was found after his death, when every
thing was settled, that the widow would
have but very limited iucomc. She knew
IL would not go far in trying to keep up ap-
pearances and live in the manner in which
they had been accustomed. So being
sensible woman, she had removed with
Maud to small cottage that had been left
them out of the wreck, taking with them
what was suitable Of their furniture, and
one servant, faithful Jane, who had been
with them many years, and who declared
she would never leave them.
They had many kind friends who did not
leave at their change of fortune. Judge
b and his wife were attached friends,
tie judge sending his carriage to take them
to and from places of amusement, when
they chose to attend, and the judges wife
kindly matronizcd Maud whenever her
mother was unable to CO.
The party OF which Maud had spoken
was to be at tho Judges house that evening.
they had been very gay that winter, in
M, parties and balls following in rapid
succession. Maud had been TO several, and
had met Frank Howard, a young lawyer.
lie had sought her society on every occa-
sion, and was evidently IN love with the
little beauty.
The week before there had been a bril-
liant party at a wealthy bankers Maud
had mot Frank there, and they had strollcd
into the conservatory together. Standing
there beside some tropical plant he had been
telling her of, he felt such love for her
aurging up in his heart that he felt he must
tell hcr-must know if his love was return
ed.
"Maud !" said he. She looked up quick
ly-lookcd up to encounter such a look of
passionate love that her ey es sank beneath
it. "Maud, do you know"
But the sentence was destined never to
be finished, for into the conservatory
bounced a young fop with tan -colored hair
and mustache. t'And lie was so delighted
to find Miss Evans Did she know the
band was playing the waltz she had pro-
missed him 2"
Young Howard glarod as If he would like
to annihilate him on the spot. Maud, feel
ing In no amlable mood, could do nothing
but accept his proffcred arm.
After that, there had been no opportunity
for the pair to speak together alone that
evening; but as Maud stood with several
others, bidding their hostess goodnight.
Frank had, in answer to some invitation ex-
tondcd him, answered that he would be un-
able to attend, as he should be Obliged to
leave the city on business for week..
When Frank returned from his business
trip, he found invitations awaiting him to
several mcrry-inakings, and among them
one for the party at Judge BIS that
evening. He knew that Maud would be
there, and, being rather an impatient young
man, thought he would risk another inter-
ruption, but would write and tell her of his
love.
Seating himself at his desk, he proceeded
to indito the momei1tous epistle, and, after
using about half quire Of paper, he at
length finished ono. He told her how dear.
y he loved her; of how sweet the hope
had been to him that he might call her
''wife," and asking her, If she could return
hia love, to wear the bunch IF violcts he
sent ler IN her hair that evening
shall watch for these flowers, and
shall learn my fate from them. If they
arc In your hair I shall know you return my
love If not--then God forever bless and
make you happy, darling, though can
never call you mine I"
Taking a box from his desk, he placed
the letter and flowers In 1t, and, tying lit
tightly, called the boy whose acquaintance
we have made on Mrs. Evans steps,
95.I want you TO take this to Mrs. Evans
and inbuire for Miss Maud be sure you
& giveit to no one else. You know where II
is, don't you %