The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-09-09

~ 10 my oHiy oeduLy> Sne WOutu say,
when old Mrs. Williams exclaimed at As.
profusion, ''and must keep 1t glossy and
pretty for Johns sake. He must find his
wife unaltered waiting for him when he
comes home."
This was before the crushing verdict that
ended the young clerks trial.
Fortunately the old lady owned the little
home in which she lived, her sole legacy
| from her dead husband; but as the weary
months crept slowly along, poverty showed
It's ugly face in the humble home.
Hannah worked faithfully ut her old
post until Mrs. Williams was taken very
| ill.
Sorrow and anxiety began to have physi-
cal as well as hental effect, and the mother
| bowed down, aged more in one year Of
separation from her son than she had ever
been IN ten Of tleir loving companion
ship.
1t was impossible to leave her alone, and
the situation was resigned.
Nearer and nearer crept the ga,lnt wolf
poverty.
Little articles of furniture that could be
| spared were sold; little comforts were de-
MED; extra hours we're given to the poorly
| paid sewing that replaced Hannah's 3 work.
and yet actual hunger was staring them in
the face.
Nearly two years had John Williams
slept in convlct's cell, when one morning
Hannah Coyle, leaving her self-lmposed
charge sleeping, went to one of the FASH
ionabe hairdressers.
81 have come to sell luy hair" choking
back her tears, and thinking--"i will grow
out again before John comes home"
The proprietor led her to the hair-dress-
| ing-room, and hid his amazement at the
| supurb profusion under hard, half-con-
! temptuous smile.
When left, only three shillings had been
paid her for her closely cropped head; yet
that would keep life little longer in the
feeble frame of John 8 mother and Hannah
was thankful.
She was rapidly walking home, when she
was attracted fora moment by crowd
! and her feet seemed paralyzed as she heard
| Il man say:
Il saw his face. 1t ls Gerald Somers."
''ls he much hurt2"
Fatally, should say. One of the horses
put his foot OH his breast.''
'Gerald Sommers! Fatally injured ?"
Hannah never paused to contemplate
possibilities"
Size forced her way Though the crowd
waiting tor death.
"Y0u cannot 90 in"
81 must go in," she said. at is a plat-
ter Of life and death. 1 m,lsl see him be-
fore he Dies"
Something In the white earnest face
moved the mans heart and he opened the
door.
On a sofa, covered with sheet, lay the
handsome, dissipaled son of the merchant
prince.
| Kneeling beside him was he futhcr, and
| the physician stood at the head Of the
couch.
They had thought consciousness dead,
when clear voice spoke the dying mans
name.
s'Gerald Somers."
He opened his eyes wildly, AMI the clear
voice spoke again in words of most solemn
| import.
'tAs you hope for mercy in the next
world tell the truth of John Williams in
hocence"
He gasped convulsively, while his father
| looked inquiringly at the intruder.
"tohn Williams" the dying voice said
| feebly, ''was innocent. l did give him
the check, as he said wrote the sigma
ture."
"Gcraldl /" cried the father, "ls this
true9"
ut is true, as hope for Gods mercy"
There was a moment of silence, and then
the old man turned to Hannah.
"Who are youf'
'John Williams promised wife.
600. will do hlm justice. Leave me
with my son.
She bowed her head, and went slowly
from the presence Of the dying.
James Somers kept his word.
He was an upright man, and sacrificed
the name Of the dead to right that of tho
living.
He would not take John back.
The sight Of Ills face was too exquisitcly
painful, but he paid him his full salary for
the time of his absence, and found him q
lucrative position.
| 1t was the day of the home coming.
Mrs. Williams in her own chair was smil-
ing upon John as he caressed Hannah's
cropped hair.
Very grave and pale his sunny face
hnd become, but he smiled as his mother
said:
''lt was for me- John, she sacrificed her
splendid hair. | can never tell you all
she sacrificed for me, but that speaks for
ITSELF"
Clasping Hannah IN close embrace he
asked
'*Do You think now, mother, might do
mot If you could marry an Empress"
She thinks 30 still, n nd John agrees with
her, though ho has been married four yoars
and Hannah's hair Is as superb rs ever.
|