The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-05-22

That is why my life is a sad and lonely
one. On, let 1t be a lesson to YOU!
I Tears shonc i'll the dark eyes of Walter
and with a rapid movement he was by my
side with o,ltstrctchcd hands saying:
"Oh, ELSA ! have your secret at last.
Elsa, dear cousin Elsa, you once loved my
brother Robert DO not shake your head
am sure of it; and that is why you are
mo3lng your life away here, and why
Robert stays away from home SO long"
''Do not speak Of this, Walter,' said,
eagerly clasping his hands. "If YOU have
amy regard for me do not speak of ii to-
to-
"Whom!" he replied
''To him," replied.
''To Robert" said he.
bowed my head.
'It shall be as your wlsll;" he answered,
very thoughtfully.
And now let us talk OF George, ~ said,
anxious to turn the conversation into a new
channel
"And what of hcr?" asked Walter, grow
ing chilly as al iceberg at the mere men
tion of her name.
''She loves you," repeated.
That remains to be secn," was the
crustily-givcn reply.
And may prove it to you2" asked.
"Will you allow yourself to he conyincedl"
"lf l can not help it, most certainly"
was The answer.
e "And will you trust everything to me-"
and do as bid you?"
"Evcn as you wish, Miss Counselor"
he replied.
"Then you may be rs happy as you
choose, for l am certain Of SUCCESS"
said.
Walter shook his head moodiy, but
saw that there was IL new light in his eye,
and that in spite of his air Of unbelicf, he
really trusted in what had told him. And
so We parted. X
II have letter containing news from
Walter, Marston, written by a friend of
his said, in q matter of-fact tone, to
Georgie Abbott, as she fingered by my side
one aftcroon after lessons were over. "It
is very sad, too-very sad. But excuse
me, you wished to know something of
your French lesson. How many pages did
give you to translate 2''
l looked up from my book as asked
the question. Georgie was clinging hold
OF chair, looking as pale as the muslin
robe she wore. The palor of her face
frightened me, although assumed an ar
OF easy indifference and assured her that
the next days translation was exceedingly
easy.
''Will you 60 up to my room with me ~
l asked, rising and locking my desk. g.
'No-no; do not 60. she half gaspcd :;
tell me what you know of Walter! !"
"Oh, of Walter!" said I. "Didn't fin
ish telling you about him Why. he SAYS,
or rather his friend writes for him that if
any Of his friends at Somcrville house wish
to see him, they must go to Cadlands ut
once. That il ALL"
"All! Miss HERBERT" she cried. can!
1s 1t not enough, III heavens name? When
did you receive the lettcr2''
yesterday morning." replied
'And arc you not going to him !" she
asked.
~ fear shall not be able to CO." re-
plicd,Y Ycoolly. m G9
"And is this your boasted cousinly love
and friendship for him ?" said George :;
"this your sisterly tenderness, that con-
gcals into ice when he Is most in need of
your sympathy and kindncss2 May / bc
delivered from all SUCH" ..'
''You arc getting excited, Miss Abbott, !"
l remarked. You are one of Mr.. Mars
TONS friends-why do you not 20 to him2"
But she did not give me an, answer, as,
with curling lip, and checks like the pale
lilies of the valley that hung upon her
bosom, she, swept from the room.,1
~ wonder what tiwillab her next step 7''
said, mentally, asI followed her moodily
from the school-room. "Will she 70 to
Walter alone-will her pride allow her to
do thatl"
"a letter for you, Miss Herbert" said
that moment, coming sud
denly upon me. II have had 1t in nv
possession since this morning. My neg
lect Is quite inexcusable, l am we'll aware. "
With an cagerness that could not we'll
account for, / took the letters from her
hand, and turned unceremoniously into the
room had left. The address on IL was in
the familiar handwriting of Walter Mars.
ton. Why did tremble to break the seal7
With fingers that seemed 10th to do my
bidding, tore 1t open and read:
"DEAR ELSA: Come to Cadlands at once.
| havo not time now to explain, only to say
If you value the happiness Of a. human
heart, or care to prolong for few days
enc human life, comet Yours truly, Ss
..,s ,2. ''WALTER MARsToN."
What did 1t mean2 Whose life could l
prolong whose happiness insure by going
TO Cadlands9 Was It little hoax of Wal
ter's2 No, 1t could not be; the nolc was
TOO earnest and emphatic for that, beside
the freak was notsht all like one of his.
Had Robefr returned9 No, that was not
possible, for but few weeks before had
Reen told that he was in Italy. was In a
maze OF doubt and wonder, looking about
me vainiyifor something that would throw
the lfaintest ray Of light upon the mystery.
But the light did not appear, and, 80 I set
myself rapidly about preparing for my sud.
den departure, having first obtained leave
of absence from Mrs. Howard, aud ex.