The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-07


the audacity Of the young vagabond, Tom
Jones, he dashed down stairs without his
hat, elbowed his way through the cxpectant
crowd, his round face purple with rage.
and his bare bald head shining. With as
much alacrlty as = Peter could boast he
lcapcd the low fence, 'lisdaining the little
wicker gate, aud reached the Interesting
pair with three long strides. With his open
palm he struck Tom singing blow on the
car that sent the young rascal half way
across the yard. At this critical moment
who should open the door Lut Miss Nancy
herself, in neat morning wrapper, All ex-
preston of surprise on her still handsome
face, The look of horror with Which the
old bachelor regarded first her and then her
double was ludicrous in the extreme.
''Good morning, MIR. Ponsby!" she said,
with dignity. Then, noticing the queer
looking figure that confronted her, she
raised both hands In surprise. ''Aiy sun
oonnet!" she exclaimed. "Who has dared
to put 1t Oh the top of my oleander?" And
with deft fingers she undid the fastenings
Of the three garmcntsan and threw them aside,
disclosing to view beautiful oleandcr tree
exactly her own height. "Ahl Tom Jones
this has been your work." she said, espy-
ing that crest fallen individual slowly pick
ing himself up from II bed of tulips.
The minglng of shril laughter at the
gate called Miss Nancy's attention to the
fact that the villagers had called upon her
in body. Her thin check flushed little,
but she addressed them coolly:
"Will you walk in, my friends, and as
sure yourselves that it is | |" But, seeing
them about 10 dispersc she added, as o
parting thrust. IL am sorry TO have been
the innocent cause, for even once, of you
ladies ncglecting your morning work. AS
for you, MIR. Ponsby," she added, without
looking at him, you are welcome lack to
Bitterville; but did you know the town as
well as DO, you would not share its idle
curiosity"
''It was not curiosity that brought me
here" stammered the old bachelor; it
was
But Tom Jones stepped forward, hold
ing his brimless hat with both hands while
he made his best bow.
'Look here, Miss Nancy, it was me that
put that job up on yer. l didn't mean no
harm. jest wanted lark. | seen that
funny lookin' thing swingin' around every
time the wind blowed. knowcd what it
was, FOR l seen you wrappin' it up last
night, and comm, thinks to myself, all
it needs is bonnet to make woman out'n
it, and as good or bad luck would have
it, spotted your'n a hangin' on the back
porch. So l jest hoped over about an
hour ago, got it, and chuckcd it on top the
shawl, jest for lark. Then, seem how
well it took, thinkin might make little
spec, bet my last nickel that could come
up and hug yer, meanin' the bush, beggin'
yer pal don. Sam Dunkin he took me up,
and whcn was here squeezlr' it gentle
likes, SOS not to press il out O shape, Mr.
Ponsby lie come up, and knocked me down
for my impudence as a gentleman should"
During this recital Miss Nancy's countc-
nance changed considerably, and at its
conclusion rare smile broke over her thin
lips.
"Well. Tom," said she, 81 am much
Obliged to you for your honesty If for moth
ing else. | know it must have looked very
odd, but it was dark when covered it first
with the cloak, then, fearing the top leaves
might be exposed, threw the shawl over
as an extra protection. thought if it was
well wrapped up l could risk it outside,
for 1t has grown too heavy for me to lift 1t
in and out alone"
There was plaintive dropping of her
voice Oh the last word, and she glanced up
slim, labor-stalned hand.
''As for you, SIR" she said, 81 thank you
for your courtesy, and wish you very good
morning."
But when Peter Ponaby held in his two
big, strong ones the little hands tina: he hud
coveted 30 many years, the hand that had
repellcd and yet held Inn, and was true to
him by Withholding itself from any other,
he would not let it 90.
ooh Mani" he said in q broken voice.
'Let me keep this now and forever. will
lift tho oleander and all your other burdens
know now our enstrangement was caused
by idle gossip. We were not to blame.
We have wasted twenty years of the better
part of our lives; shall we throw away the
balanco2"
Miss Nancy stood with dowr cast eyes
and flushing checks, until low whistle
called her attention to the gaping mouth
and quiZzical eyes of Tom Jones.
"Toin," she said, suddenly, "did you
get your stakcs?"
"No by thunder. That sncakin' Bill
Kerr has gone off with both tickets" And
taking the hint, Tom was out of sight in
few seconds.
But, before hunting up the miscrcant,
he went from house to house in the village,
announcing the fact that he had 'left the
old boy and gal in a confidential confab."
The result of that confidence was made
known four weeks from that day, when
bride and groom, no longer in the heyday of
youth, stood up in the village church, and
repea ted the VOWS they had plighted and
broken twenty years before