The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-16
A Shower of Rain.

~ SllOtv Ol VI llQIIls
Down came the rain in rclting mcrci
less shower. r...
At one crossing q miniature lake had
formed several feet in length and breadth,
and three or four inches deep; its shores on
every side were npnd-black, slippery mud.
1t was amusing to see the hrrryiug pco-
pie drcnchcd, chilled, uncomfortable, inn
patient TO be home come to q dcttSl stop at
this one crossing and hesitate, with faces
expressive of disgust and dlsmay.
What chance had Ethel Thornton's poor
little weary feet, so small, so miscrably
clad, III such q slough as this2
She glanced around despairingly.
And the next moment she found herself
lifted in pair of strong arms, carried high
and dry over the mud and mirc, and set
down Oh the other side, while the rcscucr
raising his dripping hat, with pleasant
bow and smile, passed quickly on his way.
She stood whore he had placed her rs if
turned to stone, following his fast disap-
pearing figure with her dark eyes; her
hands were claspcd convulsivcly, the color
was flaming in her checks under her wet
black veil
cit was Frank !" she gasped. cit was
Frank himself, and he held nc in his arms
and never knew me-"
A quick sob burst from her lips. o hard
hard fate to meet thus-so closc-and
part without q word .
Her lovcr-hcr promised husband of one
year ago.
Just then her foot struck against some
thing hard. ' ......E
She stopped and picked 1t up--a large
pockctbook.
'Frank'sl" she said, quietly and hope
lcssly; then she wiped 1t tcndcrly with her
handkerchief, pressed it to her lips, and
slipped it into her bosom.
AS she did this, she threw her veil aside
for the tears and rain together nearly blind
cd her.
doubt if Frank would have recognized
her, even if he had seen her FACET was so
worn and weary looking, and stained by
the wet black veil
Not much resemblance there to the pref
ty, pfduant, blooming girl whose love he had
sought so eagerly year ago; not much in
her appearance just now to tempt any man
to WOO her. ...,
SO thought Mrs. Benton, the landlady,
as she let her in, and stared aghast at her
utterly drenchcd condition.
Glad indeed was Ethel to reach the quiet
OF her own room-glad of the cup of tea
hnrS,, kl,n, Ia Il ~ i
rest u.
She gropcd blindly to her little desk and
put the pocketbook away. r'. atll.
"To-morrow," she whispered to herself
this address Will be ,inaide--I'll send, it
back tomorrow" .sas q: AZ
Then sinking wearily on the bed, she
murmured % M
Smother, feel SO strangely. I wish
now-that had takcn--your advice, and
stayed home, to-day" fE u, -
Tho words came family, In low, broken
gasps, from her parchcd lips.
She lay there without speaking for some
time, and then articulated:
81 failed again-sno work-no hope-no
~ r.,, i# tH HsIH 'l'',.
Her eyes closed, her voice ceased, she
fell back, burning and shivering. The poor
child had contracted a'scrious illness in
that mcrcilcss shower Of ram.
Meantime Frank. Mcrrifleld was anathe-
matizing Ills ill luck In losing a valuable
pocketbook with bills, receipts, moncy--all
sorts of important matters init
cit must have been when carried that
girl over the muddy crossing. had 1t the
minute before, and ] missed it shortly af-
tcrwards. Confound my quixotic folly
Why couldn't mind my own business and
lot her alone9 Poor little thing, she look
ed wet and miserable, and something about
her somehow reminds me Of 4
He paused and leaned his head upon
his hands in painful thought.
'eWhy can't ever forget her Poor lit
tic frail, false heart, why can't let her 60 z.
Why does hor sweet face haunt me every
where-not bright and sparkling as used to
know 1t, but pale and reproachful looking2
Reproaching mel All, Ethel, how much I
loved you How happy we might have
been to-day, had You only been true I'll
He arose with an impatient gesture, as of
one who, by an effort Of will puts vain re-
Qrets aside,