The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-07-28

parcel of everything I saw around me.
And when after tea found myself sitting
on the porch with my pretty cousin
Minnie Emmerson, the light had fed
the leaves were stilled, and all was dark
save where, far away behind one of tho
hills ragged praire fire, which lit up the
horizon like an exaggerated sunset.
And so this is the little girl r left
back i'll other days, with halo of re-
membered happiness encircling her
Grown now to beautiful woman. And
L? Welt with enough of the scars OF
life to do credit to q patriarch. Down
through the interim came stealing the
thoughts of that time, and the echo OF
the words into which they grew. Of the
strange liking there had been between
us, never quite understood by me. Why
L should love her was an enigma Why
she should have preferred me-that was
where I got out Of my depth, and was
content to live i'll hope Of the fact with
out any demonstration of tho cause. It
may be the look of grief I fancied in her
face now was only the unconcious growth
OF thought which tho years bring.
The appearance of a man who was con-
yerslng with my cousin as I approached
the house suggested to me n train of
thought which was ut once disquieting
and satisfactory. Perhaps he was a
lover, but it was not jealousy. A strange
feeling was aroused in me in which ex-
ultation and triumph had share-a sort
OF premonitary herald of advantage. All
this may have had nothing to do with q
voice which seemed to whisper to me, "Be-
ware something you prize is in danger"
However, I determined to know ut this
moment if my cousin still loved me,
TO see if time and absence had DESTROYED
all hope of what now saw was nv only
happiness.
OF all the tricks in the repertoire Of
that great prince in 'necromancy, Time,
there is none more subtle, more difficult
of detection, than that in which he coy
ers the freshness and buoyancy of youth
with premature aspect Of age and staid-
ness. He calls NIL the powers of life to
assist him in it. Over the happines
which knew no care. he casts the sober
robe of reflection. In the eyes which
cleaned with youthful Joy, he places the
ray of thought, and on the cheeks whose
freshness was borrowed from the morn
in0. he tr"oe" ILL., 1:-.~- - ~.-." .snu
anxiety. Dut uC nu point is he moro de-
lusive than when coloring our thoughts
with a shade of undue maturity. Around
my life he had thrown the web of ro-
nance first spinning it along into sort
Of semi-reality of such engrossing excite
ment that forgetfulness had stepped in
as barrier between me and the past.
With my cousin, the years had dealt
differently. The fresh country breeze
had kissed her checks until they blushed
in protest Il rather admired the taste OF
the breeze), the sky, undimmed by the
pollution of towns, had. communicated
some of its blue to her eyes, and her
long lashes dropped under eyebrows
arched and pencilled by a greater than
Art.
And 50, as we talked over the old days
over everything but the words would
have spoken--I felt, yet feared to think
SO, that only in my own imagination ex-
listed the barrier. In speaking, however,
of her aunts, of all their kindness TO her,
she intimated that it was now taking n
mistaken turn. From this I took my cue.
I had suspected that the man I saw with
her was lover, and, 7 now apprehended,
an unwelcome one. This thought broke
down my reserve; and when she told me
that her alnts, overcome by his profess
sions and display of wealth, urged her
acceptance of him, but that she believed
him to be only an adventurer in search
of money, of which she had desirable
amount in her own right, the words
rushed unbidden to my lips >: "Minnie,
do I possess the right to frustrate
this design?"
It was not rapturous wooing. No
such one as the surroundings would
have suggested. But as spoke these
words time was obliterated, and ! stood
once more with her beneath the trees, in
youth, and her answer was the same as
she had given then.
"Minnie," said after little "would
you mind introducing mo to your friend9"
"Certainly not" she said gaily.
"Ihave nh idea that he is an old friend
OF mine, and would like to renew his
acquaintance. You must however man.
age it in this way: I will keep out of
the way tomorrow oil day to convey the
impression that I have gone, and you
will invite him here in the evening.
will present myself at the proper time. "
"Why, what mysterious affair | Your
manner of greeting your friends is cor
tainly unique"
Next evening, when my cousin and
Mr.. Jordan we're sitting in the parlor,
walked in suddenly and ....