The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-01-01
WEEKLY EDITION


had offered TO get the blossoms TO tor
mcnt himself farther, lie pulled out his
, watch to observe how long the Offenders
| would be gone.
But at length the guilty ones rcappcar-
cd, just rs twenty minutes were completed:
not a bad allowance or time for plucking
couple of roses. Dnglisll surreptitiously
pocketed his watch, affecting not to notice
| their return; but every gay laugh Of Nclps
went INTO his bosom like poniard thrust,
The next day was one of singular beau
! ty rs regards weather, and The saddlc-horscs
were ordered around early, for Arthur and
Elnor proposed to take long ride.
AS she stood by her sccd, Dagish offer
cd to help Miss Royston to mount.
"You need not trouble" said ElnOr
collly, the incident of his neglect with re-
gard to the tlowcr ranking in her mind.
| II prefer the groom; you either lift me up
short or nearly fling me Oh the other side"
At the same time Young rushed for
| ward, and seeing only servant in attend.
aucc, cried:
''Lct nc put you up, Miss Royston."
And she accepted his attendance with
the most gracious smile.
Upon their return, which was not until
or 4 O'clock IN the afternoon, Daglish
noticed that Elinor was very much subducd
| in spirits. ..
To this circumstance, though, he did not
attach much meaning Of Importance until
an event the followngs morning gave The
| depression and uilmcnt a new significance.
The event was Arthur Young making The
| startling announcement in the course OF
| breakfast Of Il necessity for his lccYiug by
| the first train.
''is it possible, Mr.. Young? and so sud-
denly tool" exclaimed Mrs. Dugish
You don't really mean ii, old n,an2'"
| cried Graham Daylsh,
he only person who showed no sur
prise was Miss Elinor Royston.
"Well, Nell, are We 10 have Il wcdding2'
| asked Mis-. Duglish, while they were still
| sitting in the unsettled state that hasty
departure Of from one mcmbcr leaves any
| family.
At the same inopportunc moment u SER
want entered witha message from Il poor
widow, q pcnsoncr ut the Hall, begging
she would sec her with respect to some
trouble she was in.
Off hustled the kindly old lady, leaving
Graham and Elinor to discuss the delicate
topic she had introduced.
"is that true, Ncll2" asked Daglish in a
low tone
.'What if it bc?" said Miss .,Royston,
flashing defiance upon him from her eyes.
cit is nothing to YOU"
"Nothing?" he cried. cit is much, Eli
nor" he said, speaking calmly, but with
| certain tender gravity. "Your happiness
is almost my chief concern. Arthur
Young is a good enough fellow, his posi-
ton suitable, and all that, il you feel that
lie is calculated to make YOU hapay, and
you love him."
'It is something to be lovcd--to feel
that one is cared Tor. Love to me is what
water is to q man dying with thirst" she
cried passionatcly.
"Elnor Is that speech the fitrcward of
your treatment hcrc?"
Forgive mc-forgivc mel" she said
bursting into tears. 81 am ,mgratcful;
but that is just my trouble. am species
Of dependent; the recipient of charity
kindly. generous charlty-still charity"
"Woll, " lie said, and he took both her
hands into his and looked straight at her.
81 think you should know how much
your presence is valued here. TO my
mother you arc almost necessary, and as
for myself" he added, with curious
break in his voice, 'gonc, you leave me
solitary man for l:fc. But heaven forgive
me! never meant to distress you by say
ing so much"
"Why should you not2 Your---your con-
duct"
Then Miss Boyston's tears flowed afrcsh
Choking uttcrancc. Her head she turned
aside to hide her tcll.talc face.
But not before Daglish had caught some
t1,i Ne T., tol kn1a
''Child, let there be no misunderstanding
between us IN this supreme moment. If
you have given your heart to Arthur
Young marry him and happiness 60 with
you"
poutcd Einor. intcrrupting him.
''NIuch right and much reason, I think"
he answctcd, although he will very likely
set it down for jealousy"
Over Miss Royston's features brilliant
smile fitted sufficiently expressive of sue
cessful mischief But her triumph was
his also, for he saw and interpreted the
smile not altogether incorrectly.
"Ncll, could you ever learn to love mc2"
he asked abruptly.
Miss Royston apparently needed time to
gauge her capabilities in that respect, tor
she gave Graham Daglish no reply for a
minute or two; and while she hesitatcd two
strong arms stole around and q voice
whispered:
care you mine, to be my darling cher
ishcd wifc2" =.
Miss Royston seemed still to be afflicted
with difficulty of speech, but she suf-
fcrcd without opposition or even rclhon-
STRANGE, the bondage in which sho was dc
tanned.