The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-09-18
In the most pleasant family he had ever

ce's were decidedly the deeper blue and
more bewitchlng-and lovely, yellow-gold
hair. Walter found himself admiring the
style of Miss Vance's coiffure before he
had known her an hour? and when he went
up to his room that night he felt as if be-
tween the two, roguish Mabel and sweet
little Irene, he never would come out heart
whole
"For Mabel Is good little darling,"
thought he, "and will take great uncle
Abiah's advice and fall in love with her.
and thereby secure a generous share of the
Cressington estate. Egad that's happy
thought"
But the handsome young gentleman,
went to sleep and dreamed, instead of
hlabels laughing eyes, of Irene's gentle,
tender ones; and awoke somewhere in the
middle of the night, unable to get asleep
again for thinking of her.
ana the after days were not much better.
Despite the golden value of Mabel, there
was something about Irene Vance that
made this headstrong fellow very foolishly
indifferent to the advice he had sworn to
follow.
because, by Jove! fellow would have
to he made out of granite to assist the sweet
SHY ways of such little darling as Irene
And I'll marry her if she'll have me, and
the money and the property may 60 to the
dogs. I've head and pair of hands,
and blue-cyed Irene shall not suffer ~
1t was not an hour later that he met her
in the hall, carrying great boughs of holly,
with which to festoon down tho walnut
staircase.
"Give me your burden, Irene," said he.
nn oil
to gather it, and let me 90 with you'll 1t Is
altogether too heavy burden for your
arms to bear"
He managed to get the lovely sprays
from her arms, but it required an immense
amount of tardiness on his part, and shy,
sweet blushing on hers.
'.Answer me, Irene. Why didn't YOU
let me go with you? Wouldn't you have
liked it2"
Ho demanded her answer in the most
captivating, lordly way, and she dropped
her eyes in great confusion.
eyes"
"Then why are you 80 cruel to me2"
'sI am not cruel to anybody. Indeed
must go now"
Walter placed himself squarely in the
way, and was looking down at her rose
tinted face.
/ ''No, you can't go YET. Irene you are
cruel, or you would never deprive me of
the opportunity to enjoy the blessedness of
your society. His voice lowered tenderly,
and he dropped his head nearer her golden
curs. "You know 1 think it cruel In you
to be so distant, and shy, and reserved
with me-don't you, Irene r.
She shrank away, her lovely form droop-
ing like lily her checks hanging out their
signals Of distress and confusion.
''Oh, please don't talk so to me. Indeed
l must gol Mabel is waiting for the holly,
and she-theY won't like 1t if"
IF what2 If they find you and me
talking so contidentially together7''
"Nol l mean if don't take the holly
at once"
Walter put his arm around her waist be-
fore she knew what he was doing.
'1rene, look up. You shall not 20 until
you let me see in your eyes if you love me
as we'll as love you'll Irene, my dear lit
tie girl, l do love you very. dearlyi"
She was silent for one second, and he
saw the quiver of her red lips. Then she
raised her head slowly.
"You love me2 On, Walter, what will
they all say2 Don't you know it is Mabel
you should say that to9 am nobody, and
Mabel is al hciress."
Walter had both arms around her by this
time, and was looking ardently in her
glowing face.
IL know Mabel Is an heiress, and nice
little girl, and also know you are darling
and the only girl ever asked to be my
wife, or ever shall ask Say yes, pet 1"
'And you can deliberately give up so
much for only just me?"
Her wondereus eyes met his bravcly
now, and thrilled him with The love light
in them. "Only just you, my own darling
Why you are more than all the world to
me. Come, we will 90 and tell Uncle
Abiah at once. just one kiss firs.--you
mustl"
And he had moro than one or two, be-
fore he led her, blushing, with tears tremb-
ling on lashes, like diamonds on golden
thread, to Uncle Abiah, who sat in the
library with Mrs. Cornelia, industrlously
looking over receipt book. They looked
up in surprise as Walter marched IN, Irene
on his arm picture of confusion.
'If you please, Uncle Abiah, I want
your blessing and cordial consent to receive
this little girl as your niece. I love her
and she loves me-"
Uncle Abiah looked shrewdly over his
glasses at Mrs. Cornelia.
well, sister, what shall we say to this
youths dcmand2"
sfSay? Why, tell them yes, had
welcome; and let them know their Aunt
Cornelia isn't u foo!, If their Uncle Abian
is"
Walter looked on asLonishcd and felt
lrene's hand tremblc on his arm.
"What Is 1t, dear2"
She smiled through her tears as she look
cd into his inquiring eyes.
''Oh, Walter am afraid you will be
angry. l am Mabel after all, and-and-"
And you have made love to your cousin,
the helress, in spite of yourself, my boy.
So Hillcrest Is ,foregone fate, after all,
eh2"
Don't scold, please, Walter 1" Mabel
pleaded in low yoice, with her blue eyes
looking into his.
GAS if could scold you my love Since
l have you what need | care2"
And Mrs. Cornclia turned over the leaves
Of the receipt book until she came to the
"weddin cake" and AYERS that she made