The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-08-21
Who Was to Blame.

A hot September morning. All day the
earth had lain panting under the fierce
rays of the Southern sun, and now that
evening had come she was eagerly drink
ing up the heavily falling dew-dew even
more deally than the burning heat. The
broad plantationsl lay baret and scorched,
looking more desolate than when war was
devastating the land, for more cruel more
relentless than tite or sword, was the foe
yellow'feverl ,r y .
The doors and windows of tho Hall
were'opcned wide to adnit'the cool night
air. Florence Manse leaned her white, sad
face far out the open window; the heavy
dew fell softly, coolingly, upon her hot
brow. From the,.negro quarters were
borne Oh the still night air cries and groans
that told the old, dreary tale of death and
desolation worse than death. Now and
then she heard the roll of cart wheels
along the dusty road; they were only bear
ing away another victim of the feverl
Mrs. Manse gave moan of pai:,. A row
Of graves under the sycamores told the
story of her woe. All the loved ones
there-all that loved her-savc one. Would
the cruel fever take her little Floy-the
only one on earth to love her.
With piercing cry Mrs. AIansc sptans
up aud snatched her child from! the sofa,
where she lay swcctly sleeping, uncon-
scious of her mothers anguish. All night
Floy was claspcd TO her mothers heart
but at last, when day began to break, Mrs
Manse placed her sleeping child IN her lit
tie bed, and then sought her own couch to
take the much h-ncedcd rcpose. w
Poor FlOrencel bitterer grief than sor-
row for the dead filled her lonely, aching
heart. On the plea of urgent business,
George Mansc, a few weeks after the death
of his little boy, had suddenly departed
for New York, leaving his young wife, and
surviving child in DR.. Irving's care. Flor
ence knew-Dr. Irving knew-not busi-
ness, but his own cowardly fears his utter
seltlshness, drove George from his home in
that hour of danger and death. Young
DIR. Irving was true to h,s charge. Every
day the lonely Hall was mado brighter for
little time by his CHEEKY presence. and
the sad, neglected wife had come to watch
and long for these brief visits.
"Do you expect George, homo soon ~
was Dr.. lrving's oft asked question,
watching her expressive face;the while
Her reply was always the same, with a
scornful light darting in the dark eyes.
''He will be home when he can leave his
business , .,as
But one day she flashed out, passion
ately:
You know, and I know, DR.. Irving,
that my husband will never return ifthere
remains the least personal danger. George
Mansc is too great coward TO face
DEATH"
After that, George Manse's name
seldom passed their lips. Dr.. Irving felt
though it would be the bltterest Of losses
to his plying, loving heart-that it would
be better, far better, if mother and child
could both be laid by the side Of the dead
under the sycamorcs.
When Mrs. &anse awoke, 1t was long
past noon. little Floy was patiently watch.
ing by tho bedside.
''Mamma, wake up. now," lispcd the
sweet voice; "tate Foy; Foy's very tired"
and the curly head lay plllowcd on the
mothers arm.
Aunt Cleo-the only house servant tho
fever had passcd-served them tempt
ing little dinner.
, ut am good as kin cook, Miss Florie, u
said the pleased .old, negress, when Flor
ence praisedIher skill, and, for the first
time in many weeks, ate heartily of the
daintlly prepared food ''Ie's mighty glad
you kin eat like dat, honey. Der doctor
sez dar, Is nulhin', like eatin' to keep the
fever away" .
But Floy would not eat, pushing away
the tempting food with ''Flo tan't cut,
mamma"
Later, when DR.. Irving came to make
his usual call, Baby Floy lay on her
mothers breast Ikea bruised fiower,&il
and dropping. ~ && f
"You should have come before" said
tie mothers dark, mournful eyes; but the
white lips remain tightly closed.
His orders were given in quick, sharp,
,tones. The words '''You should have sent
for me Immediately" and the black vial
.he held in his hand, went like sharp
,knife's thrust to her heart, she read in his
anxious face only too quickly of new
woe, sadly knew that the baloful light IN
the dear eyes and the red glow Oh stht
rounded cheek meant that Floy was strick
en- with the fever.
Florence suffered them to take her child
and lay her In the little bed; then, motion.
less and mute, she knelt by the bedside,
keeping her vigil during the long hours,
while DR.. Irving and Aunt Cleo nllnistered
to little Floy.
'tBest to leave her alone; we canno,
help hers as Cleo motioncd toward the
kneeling form.
Mammal Mammal" whispered the
faint, sweet voice, and thc loving eyes
rested moment on tho PROSTATE form.
''Foy dood; don't try;" then she relapscd
In to the dnconsciousness of fever.
Florence lifted her anguisbed face, shud
dering violently.
Save my baby! Oh, save her, doctorl' >
she cried, In agony.
~ am doing all I can, Florence. Had