The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-01-03
Minnie's Ruse.

plague these lovers are Particularly if
cnamorcd of ones self or ones fortune. l
wish knew" And as she said this she
gazcd thoughtfully after the rctrcating
form of tall, gentemanly looking young
man, at that moment passing slowly out of
the gate in front Of her fathers mansion.
Minnie was not beauty, as hcrolncs
usually are, but she possessed sunny,
Blccful temper, q warm heart and we'll
cultivated mind, which amply compensated
for all deficiencies of form end face, so that
among the truly discerning she found many
and warm friends.
AS her father was very wealthy, many
suitors knclt at the feet of Minnie, who
otherwise would have sought lovclicr
bride. But to all she had given kind but
decided negative, until she had met with
Walter Roby, the visitor who had just bid
her adcu. lie was young lawyer, who
had recently como into the village of Bel.
mont, and who, possessing handsome
person, fascinating conversational powers
and bland, agreeable manners, very soon
won the confidence and good will Of the
people, and particularly of the ladies.
He did not at first, however, notice
Minnie with much attentions; but in the
course of few weeks lie seemed to be sud-
denly cnamorcd and soon became very at
tcntvc ..E.
Though Minnie was much flattcrod by the
apparent devotion Of the "handsome law
yer" yet she had large share Of that rare
but important articlc-common sense and
as she suspected that this asslduity did not
arise wholly from love Of her own rather
plain self, sho determined to provo her
lover. He had this very day made her the
offer of his heart and hand, and begged
shcrs in return but Mime had given him
this reply.
''Mr. Roby, am not prepared to answer
you Immediately. shall require at least
two weeks to reflect upon it,
lie was somewhat dauntcd by this cool
answer to his rather eloquent and ardent
proposal, for he doomed his handsome
person Irresistible. He urged her tor
shorter probation, but she would not re-
lent, only telling him that if she decided be-
fore tho time had expired, she would in
form him.
Minnie sat long in her room that night
devising some means 10 ascertain his real
sentiments. She thought if she were only
handsome, she might rest assured he loved
her, and then she could return that love.
She revolvcd many schemes, but none SEEM
ed plaueiblc; and finally, when the bell
ehimed 10, she retired, resolving in tho
morning to impart her trouble to her father
and implore his aid, for she was nlotherless.
Morning Gnwned, and Minnie arose unrc-
frcshed and pale. AS the breakfast bell
rung she greeted her father at the toot of
tho staircase.
''What oils my birdie this mornlng7" he
said, as he gave her his accustomed kiss.
'1'll tell you after breakfast. papa" re-
piled Mimic.
Accordingly, when the meal was finished
she twined her arm within his, and accom-
panied him to tho parlor, where she unfold
ed to him her suspicious. plans, and hopes.
Minnio's father was not surprised Mr..
Reby had applied to him to sanction his
contemplated proposal to Minnic; and as
ar Arlin thought him worthy, talented
young man, he told him that ''if Minnie
consented, he would"
'Don't be troubled, my daughter" said
Mr.. Arlin, when sho had concluded. cit
would be strange If we could not devise
some means by which to ASCERTAIN what
this yonng lawyer is in love with. IIe then
nnfolded his plan, and when thoy parted.
Minnie's face had resumed something Of It's
old looks Of careless gaycty.. IL
Tho first week of Walter Roby's s'banish-
ment' Gas ho told her he should call it) had
not passed, when 1t was rumored that Min
nie's Arlin had entered the shop of Mrs.
J Rand, themilliher, as an apprentice, and
that when questioned she had replied. She
did not wish to be burden upon her father
In his present circumstances" There came
also flying reports Of loss of property,
which seemed In accot dance with Minnie's
ccnduct and many people; began TO believe