The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30

!
have a new stove and you a new dres!
! before the weeks out. I'll work nights.
But, Dick"
/. But Dick had rushed away at fourtl
and most furious ringing of the bell, anC
she was fain to follow without another
word.
Day after day Dick Foster set his shor
door wide open, and replenished the
pretty bonbon box that was hidden
away behind some tools on q shelf in the
corner, in hopes that he might some day
again raise his head from his work and
see the fair-haired child standing before
him. But day after day went by, and
June merged into July, and she came nc
more.
The wax flowers had been bought q
few days after Dick had so suddenly
discovered how much he admired them,
and wonderful limitations of nature they
proved to be, but, alas! wanting natures
wonderful fragrance; and they stood be-
tween the china dog and cat that Dick
remembered from his earliest boyhood,
on the high, old-fashioned wooden man.
tel in the low -ceilinged sunny parlor.
Lib had come back from purchasing
them with quick step and q snap in her
black eyes, and had immediately-as
Dick knew she would the moment he
caught sight of her-rushed into the
shop to-as she was wont to express it
"free her mind"
"There, l hope you are satisfied" she
began, with a toss of her head, putting
the vase of lilies and roses into his hand ;
"but l think you'd better saved your
money. Not but what they're pretty
enough, and I don't see how she makes
'em; couldn't. But of all the stuck-up
things | ever saw. she's the worst.
Your little girl thinks your brother
looks like my brother says l, trying to
make myself agreeable; does hep I'm
sure I don't know; I didn't look ut
him. My brother is a very handsome
man, and an artist. We were family
of artists, although my share of talent
took very lowly FORM says she, hand.
ing me the vase-she called it 'varse.
Good afternoon.
To all of which Dick replied not a
word, but turned away and sawed like
mad, which so offended Miss Elizabeth
Foster that she never referred to the
pretty widow again until the afternoon
of the Sd of July. when, with CLEAN of
mischief in her face, she burst out at the
supper table: "Oh, Dick, I've mes
sage for you. met miss Eva" as the
little servant-girl calls her. They say
that girl serves Mrs. Deming for love :;
wish could get people to serve ME for
that. Please tell the-the shavings
man. said Miss Eva, that l wanted to
come again. but mamma won't let me.
And, oh, Dick, if they haven't put fire.
works for sale in the other parlor win
dow! Wax flowers and fireworks !!
Amt it funny?',
But, Judging from Dicks clouded brow
and closely set lips, Dick thought it any
thing but funny; and Lib, wisely
dropping the subject, devoted herself to
mothers soft gingerbread with un-
divided attention.
And the cloud still fingered on the
carpenters brow as he, pail in hand,
lust after supper, bent his steps toward
the old we'll that stood 4 few feet beyond
the brick cottage. He had developed an
extraordinary fondncss for the water of
this well; it seemed as though nothing
else could quench his thirst, albeit until
4 few weeks ago he had been perfectly
satisfied with the cold as ice, clear rs
crystal water drawn from the well in
his mothers garden.
AS he drew near the isolated cottage
he saw the fireworks in the window, and
his heart came up in his throat. $50
poor, so proud, so lovely" he thought.
''I'll buy them all tomorrow" And at
this moment the pretty woman stepped
out on the old-fashioned porch. and Dick
turned and fled.
But a few hours after Dick was again
seized with a terrible thirst-a thirst
that he was firmly convinced could only
be assuaged by a draught from the brick
cottage we'll. and again, pail in hand, he
set out, this time to reach the place of
destination and begin slowly. to return.
1t was ten o'clock. In the cottage all
was silence and darkness. Dick paused
Us he reached it. and leaned against the
maple in front of the door and gazed at
the shutterless windows where the WAX
flowers and fireworks entrcated. Come
buy me-" And as he gazed, smash went
pane of glass, and blue light shot
past him and fell with q prolonged
hiss upon the ground. Then in quick
succession came another and another.
Then fzz! bang! pop! pop! fizz! bang!
and the pyrotechnic articles were shoot
ing about in every direction. and the
white muslin curtains were in flames
In Il moment the strong young fellow
had burst open the door, thrown the
pailsoi water upon the cracking fire
works, torn down the blazing curtains
and stamped out the fire. And in
another moment some one in Il long
white robe, her golden hair silvered by
the moonlight, came flying out of the
room just beyond, and, tlinging her
arms about him, cried: "Oh! dear
brother Robert, You have come back at
last. But-but"-looking about her in
a bewildered manner" what has hap
pened?"
I'm not brother Robert" said Dick
but he didn't loosen the clinging arms,
rs it behooved him to do when he made
the declaration. I'm-the-the shay
ings man, and your window has been on
, fire. Fortunately, was passing" But
! he got no further, for the white-robcd
figure uttered little shrek, and fled
with precipitancy as old Mrs. Pauld-
ing entered the room from the other
door, her best bonnet perched on her
head and her night-cap dangling by its
strings around her neck, a silver teapot
in one hand and her favorite cat, grasped
by the throat, in the other, on a queer
little run, totally unlike her usual digni'
! fed tread.
! To her did Dick explain the cause OF
! the wet carpet and the smoke -begrimet
walls, and, amid her profuse thanks fol
his timely help, was taking his leave
when Mrs. Deming, lamp in hand, agair
made her appearance-thist time in suit
able evening dress.
"Oh, aunt, what an escape" she be
gan, setting the lamp on the table; "ant
to think I never awoke until the very
last, ! was so tired; and Eva has slep
through it all. We might have beer
burned in our beds" And then. turnin!
to Dick, she said, her sweet voice trcm
| bling in spite of her great effort 10 main
! tain her composure. g beg your pardor
for the absurd mistake I made: but
was so bewildered, and only half awake
| and I'd been dreaming OF my brother
whom you - looking him full in tin
face" resemble very much" Ant
breaking off suddenly. her voice trem
bling still more, How can we eve
thank you. Mr.. -"
Dick Foster, the carpenter" sait
Dick, with as much dignity as though h
had said "doctor" or artist"
MFR. Foster" her lips qrivering ant
her fair cheeks flushing red, ard sh
held out to him her dainty hand.
Dick flushed as rosy red rs she, bu
made no movement toward her. Hi
right hand hanging listlessly at his side