Richland beacon., 1880-01-03
EDITH'S LOVER.

| they stood alone together in the June
twilight, l remember thinking what q
| handsome, noble-looking couple they
made, and how well it was that nv mis-
tress had chosen Mr.. Hollis for her flu
turc husband when 50 many attractive
young gentlemen aspired to the honor
of her hand ..
As l approached, Mr.. Hollis was say
Hg:
Tomorrow is our wedding-dav,
Edith! Tomorrow | can scarcely real
ize it. All, how proud and clad am ~
My lady looked up ut this moment,
her cheeks all aglOw, her ewes shining
with happiness. Hearing my step she
said in her gentle way:
"What is it, Jenny?'
- "A strange woman has presented her.
self at the kitchen door, madam. She
asked for you and will not be denied.
She does not live in these parts, think :;
her accent and dress are both peculiar.
Good gracious, there she comes now,
and left her Oh the kitchen step"
My mistress looked in The direction
indicated and bcheld 4 dropping, for
lorn figure. slowly advancing from the
rear of the house.
She changed color and drew back with
a startled cry:
'MrS. Hawkins ~
The woman came nearer and paused
on the upper step, looking curiously
about her.
Forgive me for comin'," she said. in
low, broken voice. at amt right TO
be troublin' any like you. But what
could | do with him bcggin' and pleadin'
and frettin' himself i'll? | hadn't the
heart to refuse his prayer, and"
"Hush ~ My mistress drew her
strange visitor hurricdly down the steps.
She was very pale and trembled with
excitement.
'No more now-I cannot listen," said
she in a whisper. ''If you have any er-
rand for me come again by and by when
| am alone"
The woman sighed heavily.
"Let me give you this note ma'am-
It's from him, and I'll trouble you
no more. You'll read it, an do all
it asks, ma'am p she added, quite plain
lively, as she thurst bit of crumpled
paper in to my lady's hand.
"Yes, yes. Now go-gO at Oncer
II will. But don't disapp'int him,
ma am don't do it,"
There was desperation in her voice and
lOoks-perhaps even menacc-as she
turned.and made her way with difficulty
down the path.
Mr.. Hollis naturally made some in
quiry as to the strange visitor, but at
Miss Edith's solicitation, he dropped the
subject, and soon afterward went away.
About 10 o'clock that nj ght my lady's
bell summoned me to her chamber.
| found her sitting with her wraps on
and a bit of paper-the same the wo-
an had given her - clenched i'm her
hand.
Her face wore a sadder expression than
| had ever seen upon it before
Jenny" she said, turning in her
chair as | entered, edo you know a place
in the village called Holmes Cottage ?"
"Yes, ma am"
Good. Get your bonnet; / wish YOU
to take me there. l wish to set out at
once"
''But il is long distance, madam
if you must go, shall l not order the
carriage ~
az do not wish this visit known to any
Ole else in the house, Jenny. The serv-
ants would think strange of it. You,
am sure, are discreet and faithful"
We left the house by side door, lock-
ing it and taking the key with us
Presently We reached Holmes Cot
tage. 1t was long, low building in the
outskirts of the village, at some distance
from any other dwelling. Since my
knowledge of the house began, it had
been occupied by the poor class of tenants
"Some one / wish to see is here" she
said quietly. "Remain outside, Jenny,
/ shall not be long away"
She entered without knocking and
closed the door. The next instant I
heard a glad cry within, then burst Of
sobs.
Suddenly Mr.. Hollis confronted me,
his face white and convul,cd in the
moonlight.
Tell ne" he said in a husky whisper