The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-09-18
Trapped BY An Heiress.

a cosier rlace than that big 81 ting i DOM
at Hillcrcst would have been hard to find.
If one had travelled from Lands End to
John O'Groat's; and this evcntful evening.
when the dcstinies of two worthy people
were about taking definite form-two pco.
pie who had never seen each other, and
who had heard OF each other 30 often tt at
both were curiously eager to meet-on this
important evening the sitting room at Hill
crest had never looked plcasanter or cosier.
A huge fire of logs glowcd like molten
carbuncles in the pen-flrcplace; on the
tables in the centre of the floor whose
cover matched the glowing crimson of the
carpet, was silver stand that held dozen
snowy wax tapers whose beaming light
contrastcd exquisltely with the ruddy glow
of the fire.
Beside the table in a big cushioned
chair, with his feet thrust toward the genial
warmth on the hearth his gray dressing
. gown sitting comfortably on his portly
form, his gold-rimmed glasses on his nose,
sat the owner of Hilcrest, Mr.. AbIah
Cressington, rich, good natured, and fond
of his own way. Opposite him was the
mistress of the place-little, shrewd-faced,
merry Aunt Cornelia, his sister, who, since
her widowhood, had come tc Hillcrest to
make her bachelor brothers. home as pleas
ant as she could.
That she succeeded was very evident by
the way now in which he looked up from
letter he had been readng-the confiden-
tlal, kindly way in which he did it.
'Walter writes curious letter in re-
spouse to my invitation to come and spend
few weeks at Hillcrcst as soon as he gets
over his fatigue from his ocean voyage
after his five years tour abroad. I'll read
tito YOU"
He leaned near the soft, glowing light
and began the short, concise reply that
Walter Austin had written from his cham
Der of the Temple:
you are very kind, Uncle Abiah, to
ask me down to Hillcrest for as long as
wish TO stay, and can assure you that [
have been 80 long wandercr that the idea
or home Is very pleasant to me. But
when take into consideration the peculiar
importance you propose attaching to my
visit. am unwilling to accept the invita-
ton. TO me, the Idea of having nv fancles
and inclnatlons put into harness, and to
feel that am on continual duty to win my
way into the good graccs of my second
cousin, Mabel, whom you are good enough
to wish me to malTy-"
Mrs. Cornclia into rrupted sharply:
"Abiah, you never went and told our
granddaughter that you had IN view his
marriage with Mabcl2"
Her tone was energetic, almost reprehen-
svc.
"Why not9 I certainly did, I told him
In my letter that it was chance for him
he'd never get again, and that he needn't
feel under such terrible obligations to take
fancy to Phils little Mabel, but to come
down and be cousinly, and if anything
should happen, it'd be right all around"
Mrs. Cornelia knitted vigorously, her
lavender cap ribbons quivcring in the mel
low taper glow.
"AH have to say is, you'rc-a fool,
Abiah Cressingtonl Walter is right. A
young man doesn't like to have his fancies
under rein and whip, and the very fact
that we want him to marry will make him
indisposed to do it. You've made great
mistake in the beginning"
MIR. Crcssington looked aghast at his
sisters dotermined' face.
''Why, 1really didn't suppose
"Ol course you didn't. It's only your
natural stupidity, you dear old fellow !
Men are all alike. Don't 1 know them
like book2 And you've ruined your
hopes for Mabel and Walter at the very
outset"
Mr.. Crcssington started discomtitedly.
I'm sure meant it all right enough,
Cornelia. certainly wanted Walter to
know what nice little wife she would
make for any man."
Every commcndablc, indeed; only, If
you had consulted me upon the letter YOU
sent, should have advised you to say
nothing about Mabel, or her charms. or her
expectations. l should simply have asked
him to come and see us, and have lett the
rest to hlabel's blue eyes. You sec Abiah2"
His lips compressed slowly.
II think sec. And my hopes in that
direction are all ruined"
The silver needles c licked rapidly, and the
snow. white yarn came rceling merrily off
the ball under her arm.
''Not at all. Leave that to me, and I'll
see what can be done. Trust a woman g
wit to get even laundering old fellow
like yourself out Of q scrape"
She smiled and nodded, and looked alto
gether 30 mischicvous. that Mr.. Crcss,ng-
ton became quite excited over her little
mystery.
"Do explain, Corneia."
And when she explained he leaned back
In his chair, with an expression of positive
awe and admiration on his face.
"What woman you are, Colne'i Ia l
declare, 1t beats anything ever heard In
the whole course OF my life!'
After dusk, glorious winter day,
with here and there star twinkling in tho
pale gray sky, and the lights and trcs in
tile Hillcrest sitting-room making an elo-
quent welcome to Walter Austin, as ho stood
IN tho midst of the home circle, tall gcntle-
manly, handsome and self-possesscd.
Old MIR. Cressington was in his richest
humor, as he led forward two young girls.
"Comc don't be shy, now. Walter, this
Is your cousin, Mabel Cressington, and
this Is her good friend and inseparablc
companion, Irene Vance, como to help
entertain you. My nephew, Walter Aus
tin, girls. And this is Aunt Cornelia--
you remember her well enough, hey 2"
And sothe presentation was neatly got
ten over, ,and Walter found himsels. at home