The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-21
Mr.. Russet at Saratoga.

Wl' nuSS0l dt .SdFdlOQd.
When the doctors recommended six weeks
at Saratoga to Reuben Russet, they possi-
biy didn't think of Pennie Joyce. Doc
tors are apt to be men of one idea Mr.. Rus
sets digestive apparatus was certainly out
OF order; but little issJoyce's heart-that
was quite another thing. .... .
BIT. Russet was young theological stu
dent, with pale brown hair, an intellectual
face, and slight stoop in the shoulders.
FEMME Joyce was farmers rosy checked
daughter, the eldest of large family of
children, and one of those thrifty girls who
understand the whole theory and practice
OF housekeeping from Alpha to Omega. To
become minister's wife was visible
promotion to her, and she exuited in It, in
her quiet way. But to be separated from
him for six whole weeks that was a
trial.
''The time will soon pass, my love-"
said Reuben, in the slightly patronizing
manner which he affected toward Pennie.
"Yes, l know it will DEAR said Pennie,
valiantly trying to smile.
Gard shall write every day."
"Ihat will be so good ofyou!" said Pen
ME.
"And really, you know, Pennie. man
whose mission ls to reach the soul ought to
have little knowledge Of human nature"
'Yes, OF COURSE" assented the girl
'And where can one obtain it so well as
at one of these great human hives where
the fashionable world congregates?"
''ro be surel" said Pennie. a.
~ only wish you were going," he
added, affectionately.
Pennie sighed softly,
':Of course that is out of the question, y
said she.
Farmer Joyce shook his head when he
heard the dictum of the medical man.
''Saratogy, indeed" said he. II don't
believe Saratogy is a bit better than our
spring down by the Maple grove. I'd ven
ture Reub Russet'd be well enough if he'd
g., out and weed onions half an hour every
morning; and besides, I've heerd there's a
lot Of temptation at place like Saratogy.n
IL dare say" said Pennie, with mild
superiority, "for some people. But Reuben
is above that sort of thing"
"Humphl" said Farmer Joyce. 81 amt
so sure of that"
Father how can you2" cried the indig-
nant girl, bristllng up like cn-canary.
'"Human natur' is human natur', whether
lis at Saratogy or any other place, " stoutly
maintained the farmer.
Mr.. Russet went to Saratoga and took
rooms at a fashionable boarding-h house,
near the Hathborn spring. He walked up and
down the elm- shaded paths with two little
devotional books of a morning, listened to
the band, and studied out telling sentences
1ar possible sermons, in the afternoon, and
edged himself modestly into the glltterlng
bathrooms of the monster hotels at night,
when the German was IN full career.
"Merely to study my fellow -creaturesl"
said Mr. Russet, as he adjusted his eye
glasses. '.... .r"I' .EE.
Such a delightful studyl" said Miss
Gushington Gordon, who blazed with
jewels, and wore ong-trained SKIRTS such
as Mr.. Russet never had beheld at Rasp-
berry Vale.
Miss Gushington Gordon had the best
room at the house, the largest wardrobe,
and the most brilliant necklaces. Rumor
called her great heiress, and Mr.. Russct
found her very agreeable ,.,.s
She had big, purple. eyes, hair of
the real Roman'gold, complexion which
was undcniable work of art, and soft,
languid voice, whose syllablcs dropped
from her lips like glnbulcs of silver.
'tLtfe is such a vacuum!'' said Miss Gush-
in0ton Gordon. 8 -a~ - tH W4,.- ~
my experience exactly2" said the young
theological student, who was fast losing
his head. = > ar.,,,. ..
"At least" corrected tie beauty, "I
have always found it SO until now. But
your grand grasp of subjects, your read
ing OF the book of existence has somehow
awakened me to new sense of thingssn
MIR, Russet grew red to the very roots of
his hair, with a pleasurable tingling. D.
81 am but too proud" he stammcred, 'if
have succeeded in unravoling any pro-
blem which,
'Oh" cried Miss Gushington Gordon,
shave l said too much2 Pray, pray for
give my impu'siveness! l am the creature
Of emotion2"
She put out little, sparkling hand with
bewitching frankness to the spectaced stu
dent. Mr.. RusseJ gave 1t a gentle pressure,
and forgot to drop 1t again.
That was the ayst day that he omitted
to write to little Penelope Joyce, at tho red
farmhouse in Raspberry Vale. r
''Sho won't be Sc foolish as to expect a
letter every mail" he said, little I'M"
patiently.
At the end Of six weeks he came home.
Pennie met HIM at tho railroad, with her
dimpled lips put up for kiss.
81 may as well tell you, at once, PEN
nie--" he began.
But just then Deacon Obernc came up,
with that vise.like hand. grip of his, and
there was no chance to say more until they
parted at the crossroads, by The mill.
'Perhaps it Is just as WE'LL" said the
theological student, to himself. I'll write to
her that ! have changed my mind, and en-
gagged myself to Antoinette ,Gushington
Gordon. l ought to have written from
Saratoga, but one breads to send sneli a
ctter,N Af~" ''''"' G." ~'''