The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-02-03
TRI-WE WEEKLY EDITION.

full but her voice was not stern; she was
viewing her daughter in one of those win
ming traits that Offset her holden ways.
Caroline, often unkind to people, to ami
mails was always kind. Every dumb
beast at Dcerslicld loved her, from the AL
dcrncy COW, whose aifcctionate face she
strokcd every mOrning, to the last little
Igoldcn-down chicken Of the white hens
brood. She had broken to saddlcmorc than
one spirited colt, and her pack of pet dogs
numbered many Of formidable brecd--one
Il bloodhound
The rosy checked, bright eyed Carrie was
an attractive creature as she sat IN the sun
light feeding the birds, which. answering
her call, sped from the grove and allghtctl
tcarlcss'y on her head, her hands and her
shoulders. Mammals forgiveness was won
by the picture.
TO Joe, looking from below, the vision
was even more picturesque; the dormcr
window in the gray roof ovcrh,lng with
vines OF wo0d6inc and wist ria. the dark
recess relieving the sunlight figure. the
smiling face welcoming the birds.
AS years passed on, the three pretty
schoolgirls became wining young ladies'
Belle married first, then Jane, and now
Caroline was engaged TO be married, to
Charlie Evans, in spite OF the rcmonstrance
OF many Of her friends, who knew the
young man to be as unprinciplcd in morals
rs he was handsome in person.
| Willfull Caroline answered to all rcmon
STRANGE: 81 have loved him all my life; I
like him; and | have promised to be his
wife"
On the day that this engagement was
announced, Joe sailed from America to
study in Italy his art
There had been Il stormy scene the night
before. When Caroline deliberately told
Joe that her hand was irrcvocably promised
to his long dreaded rival, Joe's anguish was
something too complete to be hidden its
intensity and force shocked Caroline She
knew not what to say to this faithful lover
or years to alleviate his pain. She holdy
sprang to the defensive, and then to an ag-
grcsslVc course. She sharply, almost coarse
~, rcprovcl linn for having lavishrd his
heart upon one who could not by any POS
sibiity return his affection.
They parted more in anger than in sor-
row. Such was Carolincs caprice: and
Joe, rcnouAcing all hopes of happiness,
tried to draw consolation from the sole re-
Election: "I have my art"
|
time fixed for Caroline's marriage, a mes
sage was brought to her from the village
that lay in the beautiful valley at the foot
OF the rolling uDlants of Dccrsicld. Close
under the gatcways there lived young
woman, who had been for several years
scamstrcss at ''the mansion" and who,
gathering together all earnings established
| herself with her aged mother in the modest
cottage which she hoped to call home for a
happy lifetime But ceaselcss toll with
the needle told upon her strength and she
had fallen victim to consumption. Her
days were nearly numbered, and she had
sent the message to her "dcar Miss Caro-
line, who had always been so indulgent,"
| TO please to come soon as possible to re-
celvc dying woman's request.
| Caroline, although the hour was late,
said, Il VIII go at once" AS was her indie
pendent way, she started forth on the er-
rand unattended, and bidding her mother
good night, added, "Do not be alarmed
If remain until daybrcak.
The moon was full, and the August night
was almost as light as day. But day never
casts snoh tender, enhancing glanccs upon
its busy world as the shining night gives to
its spcll-bound Kingdom. 1 G.
Carolinc's pathway lay along a terrace
bordering grove of locust trees of great
height, and SO foliagcd that the arches Of
their branches opened a perspective that
seemed, this enchanted night more like a
temple than grove. Beyond this grove
lay the adjoining country scat where dwelt
Charlie Evans; and as Caroline went slowly
along the path her gaze penetrated the re-
ccsscs OF the great trees, as if to rest upon
something dear beyond. The dark eyes
grew soft with tender expression, her heart
was flllcd with the image Of her lover, and
the vouptuous atmosphere of the peerless
night held senses and soul in accord.
Below the terrace lay the fair map of
widely spreading landscape; but Caroline
had no thought for this scene, and did not
even glance at it until she reached the gate.
Then she entered q village lane, and the
dreamy look vanished from her face as she
considered her GRAND.
| The house she. entered was cottage so
built that its porch had double entrances.
One OF these opened into the dwelling of
the poor scamstrcss; the other had been
occupied since May by master workman
in a factory beyond tho village, himself a
stranger to the region, who brought with
him as housckccper his daughter, girl of
unusual beauty, rustic queen. blonde
or that vital temperament which gives to
youthful health its most expressive form.
This daughter, Mag Merritt, became the
village belle.
AS Caroline entered the porch the Mer-
iilts portion OF the cottage was quite still
and dark. On the other side the lattic
was thrown open upon garden crowded
with fragrant plants and faint light
cleaned out. The light was burning in
the chamber, where, after a word with the
sinking sufferer, and tho mother cnfccbcd
with grief, Caroline determined to remain
all night.
Before midnight the purpose for which
the mistress of Dcersfeld had been sum
moned was duly contldcd to her car; and
them sleep fell on the sufferer, and Caroline
having dismissed the aged watcher, was
alone. She turned the lamp low, and drew
her chair by the, window, where tile per-
fumc Of the garden hoatcd In, the mingled
breath of carnation and rose. For years
after that night the scent Of those precious
! HO1Vpra t1t N thrill n II