The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-04-06

ana laughing with him as if she had known
him for years; and Nellie had taken the
seat behind
And that was not the only drive they
had, nor the only evening they spent in
chatting and laughing.
Nellie, her father and moher-all three,
and many of the neighbors besides, soon
saw what 1t would come to- And Nellie
grew older and gravcr day by day. But as
yet she kept her own secret, and she hoped
more and more that Edward had forgotten
her foolish, thoughtlcss words on certain
moonlight night, now some seven or eight
weeks ago.
Az last the engagement was announced.
Oracle Basset had no friends to interfere
with her, and ilattcred with Edwards at
tentions, and really believing that she low
ed him "qnite enough for happiness" she
had agreed that the marriage should take
place as soon as all necdful arrangements
could he made.
The wedding was over. The honeymoon
was over also, and Mrs. Melville, richly
dressed, and looking very lovely, with Ed
ward as an attentive and devoted husband
beside her, was receiving her guests.
Nellie was among them. She was paler
than usual, and her free, happy, girlsh
langh was gone for eyer Yet she, too,
looked lovely this afternoon, in her pretty
blue silk dress ana cottage bonnet, and
there was beauty in the expression of her
gentle young face that went far beyond
any mere beauty of feature.
Only few weeks passed. Nellie was
invited to dine with them. After dinner
they were moving about the drawing room,
and Gracie was exhibiting to Nellie some
choice bouquets of flowers which had been
sent to her that morning. They had all
been arranged on one table, in accordance
with whim of the young wife, who de-
clarcd that the the effect of their richness
and color was lost when they were scatter
ed. " >. .'. ', ~.
But Edward had not heard her say this.
''Let me put this blue vase here, Oracle, I"
lie unwittingly began, removing it, as he
spoke, to another table There; it shows
to advantage now!"
Oracle, with heightened color, deliber-
atcly walked to the table, and put the vase
in its former position. ...... ...
ut quite out of tho way there p she
said stifily, 'and this is where wish 1t to
be Edward"
&; elbow great matter little fire kind
leth!" Edwards color also rose, yet he
did not look angry.
"And wish that it should stand here"
lie returned, once more taking up the vase;
and then he added, half reproachfully, half
playfully, "You promised to obey me.
Gracie.",
This proved to be only the beginning of
small discomforts and disagrecments. I
Many months passed, Oracle grew moro
imperious than ever; Edwards tace lost all
its brightness. and he seemed day by day to
grow old, silent and sad
y And when Nellie went to sec them now
she found except Oracle expected visitors
she took very little pains with herself, re-
marking sometimes to Nellie as they went
downstairs for the evening.
81 have not dressed, Nellie. Or course
you don't mird, and there's nobody else but
Edward"
Nobody but Edward!
Love would have made him all the world
to Nellie.
81 would wear my prettiest dresses for
my husband, Gracie," she said. GAS for
other people, they might go. What should
I care for them ?"
But Oracle, only frowned tor reply.
Gracie had a little daughter, but instead
of rejoicing in Fdwards's house, there was
bitter sorrow, and as the young husband
knclt by the bedside of his unconscious wife
he felt all the old love for her filling his
heart once more.
But what will even the tendcrest love
avail, ,n hours like these Gracie's last mo-
ments's wereS numbered, and she passed
away, leaving her little one to Nellie.
And Edward, when the first benumbing
influence of his grief was over, sold his
practicc-he Lid no need Of. it now and
went abroad. 9A NhH YE|
Eighteen months passed away A man
bronzed$ $andsbearded stood. at the gate of
tile old farmhouse. A little todding crea-
ture ran down tho path, her fair curls flying
In the wind. The stranger took her in his
arms. 'hA1
'Wliat is your name, little one9' 9W
And ina baby voice she told him, "Gra-