The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-05-18

obey the old mans command, and bring a
seat to the fire. lie did not speak, but
only commanded by gesture.
Redmond addressed him cour,eously. He
smiled sadly, shook his head, and touched
his ear, in token Of helpless deafness.
And so the wealthy lord detained from
his waiting bride and marriage feast, sat
in the old drcary house, looking in ill-con-
ccaled discont ent from the fire to the serv-
ing woman, and from the dogs to the pas
svc and resigned face of his silent host.
When the woman came and wheeled tho
old mans chair to the board, he perceived
that he was also crippled. The cronc
turned to HIM.
'Wlll yc sit by, sir?" she asked
AS he rose the door opened, and he stood
arrested in the movement. A lady entered
so fair, so pure, so cold, that she might
have been made Of snow. She had loose
black mantle about her, which she threw off.
showing a regal form, habitcd in rich
black stuff--thc brOcade Of former gen
Grafton. She paused, her still face lighting
with look of surprise as she observed the
stranger. Redmond stepped forward, with
sciOuS act
'I nope | am not intruding, lady2 l have
been ovcrtakcn by the storm among these
mountains,
"What is your z" she asked, look
ing him in the face, nor giving other sign of
interest in his handsome presence.
81 am the Lord of Redmond" he an
| swcrcd. 81 will trouble you no longer
than I can avoid" he added, little
haughtiiy.
Tord Rcdmond,' said til" lady, "you
nre wclcomc-you are very welcome, Lord
Redmond"
Shespokc with cnergy--without warmth;
but Redmond, confused by the strange
ness Of his position, observed only that her
manner was peculiar one; and though
wishing himself we'll out of the place, took
his seat at the table, as she desired.
The meal was good, and she served him
bountifully; while tho old man, for the
first time breaking silence, began telling in
rambling, incohercnt, yet not unintcrest-
ing way, the story Of some famous storms
among those hllls.s
Il was five years ago. Barbara; you
were slip of a girl, and Bcss had to be
carried in my arms. DO you mind her hair
CURING over lny arm III Lne wet s--u,,u lluw
she cried for fear she was too heavy for
mc2"
lie paused, and looked across the
board at the young lady--a troubled, wist-
full look in his face, showing some half
remembered pain in his broken mind.
"Whcrc is Bees, Barbara2" he asked,
suddenly.
She is dead" answered his daughter
with a strange smile.
"Dead!" repeated the old man drinking
from his pewter cup like satisfied child.
In spite of long fast, Redmond could
not eat; These strange people had risen
among his rosy bridegroom visions like
ghosts at feast.
81 am very tired-too tired to cat" he
said, rising from the table. ri would like
to go TO rest; for I must be on my way
early in the morning."
Barbara bowed her cold, beautiful face.
''Kathy will show you a room-her room
He shall sleep there once, his last Sleep"
| she murmurcd, turning away.
'''Shc is crazy, too !" thought Redmond,
leaving the room.
The chamber into which the old woman
ushercd linn was large, irregular, full of
hooks and shelves, on which were piled
articles of female apparel.
"Flas Miss Barbara given me her own
bedroom, l wondcr2" he asked. looking
about him, as soon rs he was left alone.
At the head of the bed hung family
portrait-a hale man and throe children, a
boy and two girls. In the dark, bright
beauty of one ho failed to recognize the
childhood of the pale, cold woman he had
just left, but tho infantlle beauty of the
youngest gi'l had in 1t something familiar.
Aprctty child; the cyes-whose do they
remind mo off, he mused,
His eye wandered, and fell upon a scar
let cloak flung over a chair, and then to
pair of dainty shoes hanging froa, a peg.
There was n knot of pink ribbon beneath
the little round mirror of Furnished steel,
and Leghorn hat hung out from an over
crowded chest.
ga last years birds nest, " said Redmond,
giving tnpestrcd chair little shake, to
clear 1t of dust, before he threw his cloak
on 1t; land / am tired enough to sleep any
where. / wonder what my little bride will
think" was his last thought, as he COM
posed himself to sleep.
He awokc with tho dawn, and sprang
up. Early as it was, breakfast was await
Ing him and his horse was saddlcd at the
door.
81 am afraid that you have been put to
trouble on my account" he said, as Bar
bara appeared, and took her place at tho
table. 81 meant TO have taken nv leave