The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-07-15

coat, he made his way directly to Mr.
Charllngton. A few animated words
passed between them, evidently disap-
pointing the doctor, who, crossing the
room to Helen, said hurriedly.
"Come this way one minute. Unjust 20
directly back to the city"
Her tlrst impulse was to turn away from
him. Her second to make him answer for
what she considered nothing less than an
insult. She followed him without word
so as not to be overheard but one glance
at her face made him realize the useless
ness Of words.
''You must trust me, Hclen," he said,
'untll can explain" but she would not
listen making her own terms. And 50 they
parted.
''lf you ever want me, I will come to
YOU" Over and over she heard tho words,
and hated herself for hearing them, as she
moved, smiling and brilliant, among her
guests. Her father was apparently at his
ease, but she knew from the red spot on
his forehead that something had disturbed
him.
The Thanksgiving party was great
success. At precisely twelve o'clock tho
sleighs were brought to the door, and all
returned to the city, separating for their
several homes with many hearty congratu-
lations to the host and hostess.
Mr. Charllngton's tace was still flushed.
Even the drive in the snowy air had not
lessened his color. Helen removed her
wrappings and sat down facing him.
"Doctor Bolton had some news for you,
father. What was it 2"
He glowed at her angrily.
.Nothing pleasant for you to hear,
Helen"
"I have heard things before that were
not pleasant" was the answer, "and l
have a special reason for wanting to
know"
"Doctor Bolton made discovery in his
visit to-day. Your brother Edgar Is in
Riverfork Hospital, brought there yester-
day, he tells me, from New York."
At the mention of her brothers. name
Helen sprang to her feet.
''And you--" she gasped.
81 am IN no way responsible. Edgar
took his own course. l told him that if
he left the house that night, he need
never return to it. For once he obeyed
me-"
''Father, fatherl And you can be 80
cruel 1t is Thanksgiving night"
t'Did you forget that" he sneered,
"when you sent Bolton away with almost
the same words. l heard them-acci-
dentally.
Appeal was useless, Helen knew. With
out another word she left the room. At
six o'clock that morning she was driven to
the hospital, and shown to her hrnther's
room. Doctor Bolton had spent the night
there; but that very hour Edgar had
passed beyond the need of any human
friends. Helen stood rigid by her brothers.
bedside.
"He is to be brought to my fathers
house" she said, without looking toward
the doctor, who waited silently, and with
out another word she passed him.
At the door she hesitatcd an instant,
looking back at the living and the dead,
the only two she had ever loved on earth.
But Warren Bottoms face was hidden in
his hands, and, crushing the impulse that
had moved her, she made her way out
into the street.
Her father was alone at the breakfast
table.
"Edgar will be brought home to-day" "
she said, sharply. "You had your way
with him when he was alive, l take mine
now he is dead" and she passed on her
solitary way upstairs.
The paths of Helen Charlington and
Warren Bolton never crossed each other.
lie heard Of her often as brilliant men,
Der of the society to which she pre-emi-
nently belonged. She knew nothing Of
him, as his work and time were given to a
class of the community with which she
could have nothing in common.
Thanksgiving had never been observed
in the family after the day spent at the
seashore Father and daughter passed it
separately, AMI If il was an anniversary for
either, it was never spoken of. 1t was
four years afterward that Helen, q few
days before the annual holiday, announced
her intention Of spending 1t a. the seaside
cottage. 1t was really delightful month,
a prolongation of the Indian summer, but
Thanksgiving Day dawned as bleak and
chcerless as the heart of tho lonely woman
by the sen. Toward noon a storm came
up, the day wore away in a tempest, which
lulled at nightfall. Helen. wrapped in her
solitary musings, and watching the roll of
the enormous breakers on the beach, was
interrupted by her maid,
"One of the fishermen from the shore
would like to speak to you, Miss Charing-
ton."
He entered as she spoke, an old weather.
beaten man. evidently in great distress.
'It's my boy" he explained, "hurt, my
lady. They brought him ashore, and the
Riverford doctor has come down to see
him, but it's bit of the brandy that's
wanting, lady, and thought maybe you
would have 1t to give me-"
AS the maid left the room to get the
needed supply, she asked, "Doctor Boil
toni"
"Oh, yes, lady, tho doctor who is 80
good to the poor fisher folks. He always
comes when we need him, God bless him,
though It's little of the money he gets from
any of u.s."
The old man hurried away with the
brandy. A few minutes later servant
was dispatched with an immense basket of
provisions, and note which ran:
"WARREN, you said If ever wanted
you, you would come to mo. If there Is
less hardness in your heart than in our
family blood, come and spend Thanksgiv-