The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-12

for the dawn OF Paradise
A Mothers Sacrifice
A fire burned in the lower CRATE, but the
little light it CAV Q revealed all the grace OF
Mrs. Wintield's slight form in it's close-ft-
ting robes of black. Tonight, for the first
time in her two years Of wldowhood, she
laid OFT tho widows cap, which had for 90
long served to conceal the thick auburn
braids, SO artisticaly colled about the small
head. Perhaps for the same reason she
had dismissed the butler, when he entered
according to custom to light tho lamps, or
perhaps because the slow ticking of the clock
upon the mantel revealed to her sufficiently
the lapse OF time without compelling her to
distinguish the hands upon the face Of the
dial drawing nearer and nearer the hour
whose close approach dissipated the calm
ness she vainly strove to gain.
Eighteen years had passed since she and
Arthur Mainwaring had met. They had
been lovers in that far-off time, but ho was
poor then, with no whisper in the air of tho
rich Inheritance to which he afterwards
fell heir just too late to bring happiness to
either. Not tha. they cared for wealth,
either OF them, but there were elder, wiser
minds to judge for both, and so, each VOW
Ing eternal VOWS, they were torn apart.
Six short months later she married Ed
ward Winfield. He was, fortunately, not
man TO look for love and sentiment in his
young wife-only wifely duty and obe-
diencc. In these she never failed HIM, and
after his death the world found proof of his
esteem in the fact that to his widow revert
ed all his fortune, untramIaeled by single
reservation.
She had married very young. She was
but thirty-five now. Would he find her
changed. she wondered-he for whose COM
ing she waited here to-night9'
simultaneously with the thought came the
sound of carriage wheels and horses hoofs
on the graveled walk. Sho started to her
feet pressing both hands upon her fast
beating heart: Only tnat morning she had
received telegram announcing Arthur
Mainwaring's coming, and already he was
here. She was glad, Oh, so glad, that tho
room was dark, when she heard the quick,
firm tread she had sometimes heard in her
dreams during these long years Of dutiful
living SO glad that he could not see the
quick blush, which put her matronhood to
shame, when the door was thrown open,
ana three or four swift strides brought him
to her side.
'Barbara ~
On, how his voice still thrilled in her
half with pleasure, half with painl
Ills tall form lowered far above hor. as
in the olden time; but he held close in his
own firm, tender graspher two little tremb-
ling hands.
"Are you glad to see me2" he question
ed.
She strove TO answer, but her lips ouiy
cred, and no words came.
Barbara" he said then again and he
bowed his handsome head lower, sis it too
soon to spcak2"
"oh, Arthur" she answered, "can yet
And then the bridge of years was swept
away, and shc sobbed out her hapMness
upon his heart.
'Lct me see you," he said at last II
nave not yet seen the face for which have
hungercd all these years."
nc struck light, then turned and looked
at her. ' ~O'>N'N
"My darllngl" he said. sIt is still nv
beautiful Barbara. What have l done to
deserve this hour2"
Mamma, where are you 2' called out
fresh, girlish voice at thls instant.
The next moment young girl of scarce
o"AiAAASa pPihuS lutO EOOln,
''1his is my daughter, Arthur-my only
child. Dora, let ne present you to one OF
your mothers oldeet friends"
The gentleman indicated looked from one
TO tho other--from the mother to tho
daughter-then back again. Now he could
realize tho lapse of time.-now he could ap.
preciate the changes years had wrought.
1t was as though he had brought the past
and present face to face forcing him to ac-
knowledge the impossibility of natures
standing still.
The daughter was fair counterpart of
the mother's beauty. Az ahe looked now,
shyly extending to him Der hand, AZ il In
deprecatlon OF her unceremonious, entrance
80 had barbara looked, when extending her
handln farewell, as though she would have
said, II am forced into it by stronger will
than mine"
An uncomfortable sensation rose up in
his breast--a dumb warring against the in
evitable--an acknowledged desire to re.
trace Ilfe's pathway and conquer time.
Meantime the young girl pouted the full,
red lips, asif she thought her mother friend
strangely absent; and when he at last
forced himself into a few words of greet
Ing, they fell upon dull, unheeding cars.
Then she had gone. The lovers were
alone again, but he no longer opened wide
his arms but instead, drew chair to her
SIDE that they might discuss moro rational.
ly. Il
"You must teach Dora to love you, !" she
said to him next morning. II want fret
to reconcile her to my second marriage be.
fore startling her with It's probability. Tell
me do you think her like met"