The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-11-11

All at once old Pomp gave sidewise
start-hls ancient idea of shylng-and then
l saw man. pale, dusty, and tired look
ing, sitting on a fallen log, just outside the
road. felt sorry for him; I was like
mother-who never would let the shabbiest
or meancst looking vagabond go past orr
house without a draught of milk or piece
of frcsh-baked pie, or slice of her famous
home made bread -cake-.and without stop
ping to think drew in old Pomp's rein.
''Are you going towards 1enox cross
roads3" SAID 1. "Yesl Then Jump In;
I'm going in that direction, too, and I'll
give you a lift"
| He thanked me IN silent. dropping sort
OF way, and seated himself on the board at
the back of the wagon, towards which l
pointed with the handle of my whip.
"You look ill.," said l.
81 am not i'll, " he said, with smothercd
cough. "Only tired with my long walk.
! | didn't know 1t was so far to Lenox."
81 suppose you are going for work ?"
said l. deacon Bricrlcy has a good
many ha. just now in his tobacco fac
tory"
''No," said he; 81 am not going to
work."
asked no more questions. I did not
| like the idea of mans shrouding himself
IN mystery in that sort of way; and, us l
glanced around once more, sudden rev.
elation came across me like blaze of
| light.
1t was the same man who had eyed me
| so kecnly on the steps Of the Park hotel.
Then l remembered my mothers words
of caution, Leeman's reiterated exhorta-
tions, the landlords friendly words of
warning.
And, In spite of all, l had deliberately
thrust my silly head into the jaws of dan
ger. There was only one thing remaining
for me to do-to get out Of the scrape as
well as could.
l cast about in my mind how to do this
and presently, with beating heart, drop
ped little paper parcel of blue ribbon into
tile road.
"Oh!' cried, checking up Pomp, "rve
dropped my parcel. Would-wouid you
mind getting out after lt2"
'tNot in the least said the stranger,
and he climbed laborously out of the
wagon.
He had scarcely set his feet on the ground
with will, and ratified away over the long
lively marvellous to Inc and Pomp both.
80 we left our passenger behind, in the
middle of the Red swamp. l could sec
the sole figure in the long perspective, as
I ventured to look back; but only whip
ped Pomp the harder, aud never let him
bate his pace until we were we'll out of the
Red swamp.
If 1oI oiI fn
self, 'tand I've saved Leeman' 8 tw wenty-four
dollars. Pm sorry about the blue ribbon
but it was only yard and q quarter, after
all, and I can trim Lil's hat with something
else"
They were delighted at my prowess
when related my adventure at home Lee
man declared / was capital little market
woman mother shuddercd at the idea of
the desperate tramp alone with me in the
tangled wilderness of the Red swamp; Lii
declared that was heroine.
Wasn't it good idea for Kate to drop
the blue ribbon, and send him after it 2'
said she.
skate was goose ever to let him get
into the wagon" said Leeman, knitting his
brow.
"Kate mustn't go by herself such long
distance again." said mother. :"
Ana drank my cup of tea, and rested
myself, and went out afterward to see the
new brood of darling little yellow chicks,
which old Speckle had brought off the nest
| during my absence.
was on my knees in the hen-house,
feeding them with scalded meal from tho
palm of my hand, when heard mother
calling me from the house.
"Katel Katel Come at once Col
onel Hay has arrived" - -.
Colonel Hay?"
I started up, looking with blank dismay
at my calico dress and the meal stains on
my hands, t.. ".- '..a.
| However, there was nothing for 1t but to
obey the summons; so went up to the
house. A sort Of blur seemed to come be
fore my eyes as entered the sitting room.
and heard mother saying: ..f
"Colonel Hay, this is my eldest daugh-
ter, Kate"
And then the blur cleared away, and l
knew the man had twice befoie seen that
day-the pale, tired traveller whom ! had
80 recklcssly abandoned Ill the middle of
the Red swamp.
"I-I beg your pardon, Colonel Hayl'
l cried out Immediately. 81 thought you
were thiefI" .al.
The burst of laughter that followed from
every inmate of the room effectually scat
tered every embarrassment.
That was my adventure And Colonel
Hay has long since forgiven me thai mn
kind descrtion of HIM. In fact-this ls
quito private and confidential, mind-we
are to be married soon, and am going
with him to Florida, to try the effect of a
Southern climate on his health. That is
all. Isn't 1t enough3