The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-14
Bachel Luck.

''Who is living IN Swans house, sec
1t Is occupied" SAID Mr.. Tartuffe to his
servant.
"a Mr.. Ernest Simpson, and lis wife
and mother He Is just married, I believe, "
was the reply.
"strange, hQ muttercd, that I should
come home to find them here, OF all places
IN the world. l knew this morning that
The young fellow NUT be in some way
connected with Ernest Simpson. The like
ness is unmistakable. There comes wo-
man now. l wonder If it can be his moth
err"
A large woman with a fresh-colorcd face
and with bundle on her arm entered the
gate and hurried up the walk with the air
OF one very much at home
eyes, it must be she; vet who could
have believed that Sophie Martyr would
become such great, bowsy creature ?
twenty-five years work great changes"
The fact was, It was Mrs. Simnson,s q
tsess; but how was Mr. Tartuffe to know
thatS For five years he had been travel
ing after fashion Of his own. Five wears
had wrought great changes. OF his old
friends and associates some were dead.
immersed IL business, so interested in t. cir
own particular pursuits, that they had little
time or thought to spare for him.
'''Tis like coming back from the dead to
find ones place filled and ones self forgot
ten" he said sadly. And now to all the
rest was added the unewclcome discovery
that the wife and son of Ernest Simpson,
the man who had done HIM a cruel wrong
and marrcd his life, were living next door
to him. Some time he stood ut the window
drumming softly upon the pane and look
Ing idly out; suddenly his face lighted
up.
"Thnt's an idea; I'll do it. FORSYTH will
jump at the chance, I've no doubt"
Whatever the idea was he immediately
proceeded to put it into execution. A few
lninues later he left the house and took his
way down town.
"Why, good moring, Tartuffe. Glad to
see you; sit down;l'll be at leisure in a few
minutes"
When the busy lawyer was at last able
te pay some attention to his visitors, Mr.
Tartuffe began without preliminary:
"Forsyth, have been thinking over what
yon said yesterday, d have proposition
TO make. Suppose we make an exchange. "
"blake all exchanged - repeated the puz-
zled lawyer.
Eyes; you can take my house and take
yours, for year. Your family are desir-
Gus of coming to town. and want to leave
1t. Take the house as they stand. 1t will
save the bother of my moving"
"Wcll," mused MIR. Forsyth, sthat's an
idea. certainly, and it strikes me favorahly,
but l must consult my wifcs first, of course
Why do you wish to leave town, though g.
you've just got here. You ought to get
married, and settle down quietly"
''Gct married." repeated the other, with
an expression of scorn; "what woman
would Lave all old man like me, except for
his money!"
'Old man, indeed" exclaimed MIR. For
syth: "why, you're just in the prime of
life, and there isn't a young man in the
city who can boast a more splendid phys
ique. Besides,you need not marry school
girl, you know. know just the woman
tor you, about your own age, widow
with one son."
"The idea of my marrying widow!'
calculated Mr.. Tartutfe in silent wrath as
lie took his way homeward.
AS he ascended the steps, the rcd-faccd
dressmalser seated by the window in Mrs.
Simpsons room, exclaimed: ''There goes
MIR. Tartuffei"
'"What did you say his name was 2" said
Mrs. Simpson rather eagerly.
"Simon Tar uffe. He's rich old BACH
You had better SGT your cap at him. But
I'm afraid 'tweuldn'c do no good, for they
40 say he's woman -hater."
Mrs. Simpson made no reply, but resumed
her work with thoughtful face.
"Motf er, here is letter tor YOU" said
Ernests wife, enter r.ng the room. Mrs.
Simpson read the few lines it contained and
then said: Aunt Elizabeth is iii; an attack
similar to the one she had three years ago,
ana she wants me to come and stay with
her."
"Oh, dear: how sorry ami" exclaimed
Jennie, ~ don't know what we shall do
without you.
One afternoon, fortnight later, Mr.. Tar
tuffc altghted from tho train at Brierdale
station, and without stopping, took his
way up the village street to his now home.
For the next few day he fairly lived out Of
doors, exploring tho country for miles
round, walking, driving, fishing and boat
ing. One afternoon, toward sunset, as he
lay stretched ut full length undcr tree at
the brink Of the river, the sound of oars
attracted his attention, and looking up ho
saw small boat coming rapidly toward
him. 1t was propelled by two ladies' one
OF them evidently young girl yet in her
teens; the other, a splendidly developed
and still very handsome woman.
''rhere comes Bob in his wherry, cousin