The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-04-08
The Belle of Wolf Run .

A company of strolling players in a barn
The great space is lighted by lamps O
every description, the most ambitious o.
which is circle of hoops stuck full of can
dies. This does duty as the grand chand
clier, and is quite effective.
Seated near the stage, before which hangs
green curtain, are Two persons-a mar
and young girl, whom, even the unprac
tced eye might take as rustic lovers. lie
is a tall, finely y-formcd young fellow; with
noble head and keen, sparkling blue eyes.
She is the beauty of Wolf Run, fautloss in
figure and feature, and with Il something in
her expression dcnoting that she is not quite
satisfied with her position, even as the belle
of the VILLAGE or her surroundings.
Margaret Leo had never in her life seen q
play, therefore she was prepared to realize
all the emotions Of novelty, terror, wonder,
delight, with which a novice looks on the
strut and action OF these who cater to the
profoundcst emotions. Of course she for
got where she was of course she was daZ-
zled and terribly stirred at the love scenes,
which were, as usual, exaggerated
The hero of the drama was handsome,
worthless rascal, who learned, before the
evening was through, to play at our unso-
phisticatcd little Margaret, reading her adj
mration in her eyes, and enjoying the
smiles, tears, and almost spoken interest
of the beauty of Wolf Run.
"Pretty good-wasn't it2" said Charlie
Vance, as lie held her flcccy red shawl to
wrap about her, at tho close Of the perform
ance.
Margaret had no words, she only gasped:
"Oh, Charlie!" as they gained the door,
and caught at his arm; for there stood
the hero of the stage, still in his bcspang-
led velvet tincry, and evidently stationed
al that particular place in order to catch
glance at her lovely face.
"Confound his impudencc. Charlie
Vance muttercd between his teeth.
Margaret shivered little as they left the
barn. Everybody was laughing and talk
ing The soft, clear, round moon shed it's
light upon scene of sylvan beauty; but the
two spoke but few words until they had
house set back in garden.
GA little of that goes great ways" said
the Young farmer, who had evidently been
thinking the matter over. '"rhcy stay here
a week or more l don't care to 60 again,
do your"
ooh, do, believe 1 could go every
night" said Margaret, fcrvcntly.
'.They'rc hard set, Maggy," said her
lover, q little malice in his voice.
t'FIow do you know2 Are you sure of
that p she asked. eagerly and rcprovingly.
ooh, they're generally thought to be.
Well, goodnight, Maggy;" and he had
gone ten steps before it occurred to him that
they had parted without kiss.
II don't care" he said, sullenly, half
aloud; "and that fellow stays at her unclc's
tavern, too. Why should it ncttlc nc so,
anyway"
Now Margaret and her cousin Anne were
almost as irscparable as sisters. 1t was with
quick beating heart that the former took
her way to the tavern next day, mecting
Anne as usual at the private entrance for
the family.
ooh, Magl" cried Anne, her eyes spark
ling, "you have made conquest"
"What do you mean?" asked Margaret,
her fair face flushing, her pulses beating
tumultously. :.
"Why, you know-last night. Oh, isn't
he glorious Exquisite and only think ho
asked papa who that very lovely girl was
II pink ribbons in the second scat-and
that was you Papa laughed and told him
his niece, and somebody else said something
very handsome about you at the table, and
then papa up and said you were engaged to
Charlie Vance, which sounded 50 ridiculous.
And give you my word of honor the gen
tlcman turned pale"
"Nonscnse!" said Margaret; but the flat
tering words Ind accomplished their work,
and 1t was not hard to. persuade her to stay
to dinner, where Of course her lovely blush
ing face did not little. execution.
"Well, Maggy, what is it to beS' $asket
Charlie Vance, stcrnly. This was only {
week afterward. Ali the softncss had gon'
out of his face as he spoke. His eyes hat
lost their gracious. sparkling beauty. l
might be that his cheeks were tric thin
and certainly his dark face was haggard.
ooh, Charlie n'-she stood on the othc
side of the spacious hearth, dropping ant
timid, her face very white, and the larg
eyes startled in expression, like those of
frightened fawn.
''You are changed, Maggy. Idon't so.
it alone. God help us both, it's talked al
over the place. Last night, when hear
something at Dlleways, felt like goin
home and blowing my brains out. "
ooh, Charlie !"
The voice was moro plaintivc, and til
little figure dropped yet lower
"And 1t all comes of TINT internal villain
1t all comes Of your going back and fort
to the hotel; and with your Cousin Anne
to see him."
''He Is going away to-day" she cried,
great pain In her voice. "
"And you will see him before he goes9
ooh, no, no, Charlie. Oh, don't look {
cruel. can't see him now you know lean
"Sincc you've heard that he's got wi
\ elsewhere, eh?" 3.E
I "Charliel don't care; it isn't that, 81
answered, clokingIy. How could 81
! add--sIt Is because / have found him bas
untrue, when he seemedto me like an ahg
of light"
Her red lips qulvered; the tears stoe
4 large and shining on her lashes, her ey
were downcast, her hands folded with t!
rigid clasp of despair.
~ shall never see him again, che viii