The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-03-18
The Widows Wiles.

LILO Wv luUW , Wv HOS.
Paul Carroll was one afternoon sitting
listlessly on the porch Of tho "Farmers
1nn," when who should alight from the old
stage but his friend, Harry Coleman. There
was hearty greeting; each had surprised
the other by his selection Of this rustic re.
treat. FL @
''Come!" said Coleman, 'tell mo who
she is. Some rustic beauty iii venture,
with cheeks like blush roses.''
"Ha, hal" laughed Paul. ''Did the
green-eyed monster inform you that was
tresQassing on your rights7"
Harry, with Il mischievous twinkle in his
eyes, answered: ~ have run down at the
solicitation Of little cousin of mine. Come,
get off that hunting rcgalia and will pre-
sent you to the sweetest little cousin in the
world"
Paul drawled lstcssly: "Well, any
thing for a changol" .s..
Good-natured Coleman was used to his
friends manner, and only quickened his
paco when once they had started. They
approached the farmhouse as the twilight
descended. ..9
Good evening, gipsy!" said Harry, rails
Ing his hat. "You see i have kept my
word" He hastened towards the old swing
gate to receive the merry greeting awaiting
him, then said, gaily, Il found my dearest
friend at tho inn, and have brought HIM
with mo. Miss Jardinc-Mr. Carroll"
Paul opened his keen gray eyes a trifle
wider to discern the young girl in the COM
Ing shadow; her mellow, rich voice fell
upon his ear so harmoniously and musical
ly, that he tried to hear what was said
This much he did hear, as she trippcd
ahead, leaning on her Cousins arm,, and
talking in an undertone: 81 detest that
dearest friend of yoursl He has shot all
my pet squirrels"
"Ha, har' laughed Coleman. Yes, he is
cruel fellow; look out for him."
Well did Anna Jardne remember those
warning wordsl
The family and visitors formed pleasant
group. Paul tried his best to define the
peculiar charm of this girl. She avoided
him; that he knew, and there was novel
~ In the fact She was young and cult
vated, not beautiful, but with presence
bewitching and piquant. She seems alb
stracted, not entering into the general con-
versation; but as she raised the shy brown
eyes there was language in them that en-
tered his heart.
One by one the rest strolled out. Paul
walked to the piano and turning over tho
music, found the popular songs Of the day.
"Will you sing, Miss Jardinc2" he said,
almost implorlngly.
Without a moments hesitation she COM
piled with his request. The sweet con-
tralto, with it's soul stirring pathos, was too
grand for common place thanks.
Paul Carroll and Anna Jardine had been
betrothcd one year. He had won her by
his deep, idolatrous love, and she had en-
throned him king-hcr first love and her
last.
Paul Carroll was one of the guests at the
mansion of Annas aunt, where she was
spending the winter in the gay metropolis,
and grand dinner was given In his honor.
The .bewitching woman on the barrister' s
right had suddenly, like some great light,
burst upon the fashionable wo d. A widow
and blondel A woman in her early thir-
ties, with soft blue eyes that knew how to
send every glance with power. She had
come among thcm with reports of unbound.
ed wealth.
Paul Carroll seemed completely captiva-
ted by her fascinations, careless of the suf-
fe.lng he was inflicting upon one constant,
true souled woman.
Tonight, for on instant, he mentally
contrasted tho two and OIL sudden i'm.
pulse drank to tho health Of his betrothcd
The sudden shock to Mrs. L'Estrange's feel
ings was beyond description. She was foil
ed.
+. When he led her to the piano, and solic
tied farewell, she sang vocal waltz; the
brilliant air fell fatty on his ear; there wa,
no reponse in his heart to the words she
sang at him.
"Ahi fly to the one most dear"
He followed his betrothed to her hiding