The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-07-15
The Charlington Hardness.

Helen Charlington was as white as the
,ermine cloak which she had wrapped about
her head and face. Perhaps it was the
night air that made her shiver; but she
faced Doctor Warren Bolton with deter
animation which needed no words Cor it's ex-
,prcssion.
'Listen to me. If you cannot come to-
night, do not come to me again anywhere.
1T is the end between u.s."
"Helcn, Helen ~
Her eyes had not left his face
care you going 2'' she said slowly
For an instant he seemed to waver; but
only for an instant.
~ am going, Helen" he said as slowly;
elf you ever want me will come back to
you"
! He doubted afterward if she had even
heard the words, so quickly did she turn
away from him. He caught the dazzle Of
the brilliantly lighted room which she en-
tered, turned his face to the darkness and
the cold again, and strobe off where duty
waited for him.
b The Charlingtons were called "a hard
family" not from any social shortcomings,
but Oh account Of their well known obsti-
largest manufacturers in Riverford,: and in
the numerous strikes among its operatives,
always held his own against them longer
and more successfully than any other mill
owner. He had discarded his only son for
come slight disobedlenco. Rumor said that
his wife, who had died when the boy was
born, had gone gladly out of home in
which she had never known happiness,
There was but one other child, daughter,
S'the image Of her father,' every one
agreed, and the impression prevailed in
ffiverford that she was exactly like HIM in
.disposition. A few who knew the facts
asserted that she had taken her brothers
part with such determination that both of
them had been ordered to leave the house
never to return to it; Helen being pre-
Vented from doing 30 only by the refusal
of her brother to allow her TO sacrifice her
self to his interests. That Helen and her
father were too much alike to agree was
well known, though their lives ran in such
different directions that they seldom
!clashcd. b1r. Charlington's time was spent
among the looms and spindles of his factory
to which he would not wholly trust any
.overseer. His daughter was social favor
lite. She enjoyed life of singular free
dom, and with abundance of money at her
command, gathered about her in her
Ifather's house whatever friends she pleased
10 select. Mr.. Charlington was glad to
see any display which could be made with
his money, although too busy IN making
more to take time for any comfort of his
S5wn.
g Helen, after her engagement to Doctor
Bolton, found herself for the first time in
her life in position where she was occa-
stonally called upon for some self-sacriflce.
For this her previous life had wholly un-
fitted her. Much as she loved Warren
Bolton, the new relation between them had
mot existed six weeks before they had
many stormy times and words: He was q
popular young physician, with large
practice among the mill operatives, and
Helen, though neither a jealous nor capri
Scious woman; was exacting and unreason-
able. She ignored hepovcrty and wrctched-
ness of the world. That there was a good
deal or it she knew IN a vague, general
sort of way for Doctor Bolton. he was
Scontent to have 1t so. 1t would have been
ghis first instinct to shield her from any
thing disagrceable or painful, had she
3peeded such protection. But for himself
she reserved the right of ministerng to the
afflicted, asking no help in his work, but
submitting to no interference. His own
scomfort and convenience he was always
READY to sacrifice to her, that of his
Spatients, even the poorest among them
,nevcrl and slight as the causes of their
Sqnarrels had been, they involved q prin-
,Giple vital to both.
sE The old New England fashion of q
AVhanksgiving dinner had always been hold
3In the Charlington family, and Hclcn's in
'vitcd guests always made gala day of
what would have been in Seth Charling-
tons house very sombre festival. On
this particular occasion .she had arranged
Alittlc different programme. The preccd-
Ing summer Mr.. Charlington had built q
sfine cottage on the bluffs by the seaside,
five miles south Of Riverford, and 1t was
sHelen's fancy to invite the guests, who at
sditerent times had sojourncd thero with
her, to Thanksgiving party by tho side
gOf the sea. Her father humored what he
called ono of her many unaccountable
.Whims. The sleighlng was fine, the
sweather perfect, and it would have been
hard to find a merrier party than the one
SAssembled at the ocean at that unaccus-
gtSmed season. But DIR. Bolton was absent.
Helen had not waited for him. She had
sreceived note from him before they left
sthe city, saying that business detained
him, and ho should, if possible, drive down
sto tho cottage later in the day. She was
annoyed at the disappointment.
S|Hho had always made Thanksgiving her
greatest holiday of the year, and never be-
fore had anything occurred to mar Its
pleasure.
'gs3s ''Heartless and selfish where am con-
scerned," was the feeling with which she
ScTushed in her hand the little note. 1t was
ssnrely too brief and curt to be loverlike,
that was true, but Helen refused to con.
ssider under what painful pressure it was
$pfobably written.
,sS The whole day passed without his ap.