The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-09-08

|
determined.
AS the only heir to the late Squire
who had died q childless widowcr,
Marmaduke Trevor had led wild, reck-
less London life, aware that his future
was assured.
| Tho death of his uncle had suddenly
aroused him from an existence rs idle as
| dissipated, and ho had fastened down
to the Hall.
He was by no means 10th to take
possession, and had already formed
plans for n merry future but the drear
solitude Of the place at present was un-
| bearablc to one accustomed to success
sion of amusements.
So, using hiB own words to Mr.. CATH
cart, "He had taken the liberty Of
throwing himself upon tho wears
hospitality"
"Indeed you are welcome, Squire I"
the clergyman rejoined. "No doubt
you do find it dull, especially to-day.
This quiet slumbrous village is n strik-
| ing contract for one used to the Great
City. We will go into the drawing
room. There are younger people there,
who will make it, no doubt more cheer
full for YOU"
The Squire readily assentod, and for
the first time, beheld Jennie Cathcart,
in whose society he had not been long
before he felt toward her as he had
never before felt to any woman
Seated talking with the vicar, his
looks followed her everywhere, but
lowered darkly "a he detected the evil
IDENTIFY high place that Ned Graham held
in her regard.
'"That fellow will be all obstacle to
my success with Miss Cathcart," re-
fiected the Squire. 'Yet perhaps not.
Women are ambitious, md, to become
mistress of Trevor Hall, would be n
groat temptation. Yet, supposing some
engagement exists between these two,
and the girl holds to it? Then I should
admire her the more, and be the moro
determined to make her my wife
The days passed on, md the Squire's
visits to the Vicarage were frequent.
Ned Graham, the artist. did not like
it, and SO told Jennie. She, however,
laughed Mt him.
However, it was not long before the
artists words were verified. One morn-
ing, Marmadukc Trevor, appearing early
at tho Vicarage, requested to be allowed
few words in private with the vicar.
When closeted together in the study,
he confessed the passion with which
Jennie had inspired him, and proposed
for her hand.
Mr.. Cathcart sat n while silent. He
had listened in surprise-with regret.
His silence, the perplexity marked on
his visage inspired the Squire with con-
fdence. Evidently the poor parson WIS
overwhelmed by M offer SO unlocked
for.
"Surely, Mr.. .Cathcart," he remarked,
"you must from the first have seen the
impression your pretty daughter made
upon me?"
"Had 1, Squire" broke in tho vicar,
quietly and rousing himself, "I should
have felt a guilty man in your presence
at this moment I declare to yon I had
not the least iden. It never crossed my
mind that you ever.,would have desired
so to honor my family. Had it, believe
me, would Mt once. have informed you
Of that which. with much pain, T must
now tell YOU" "
A dark shadow fell on the Squires
face.
"And that ?" he asked.
"My daughter is engaged already !;
has been so for six months, To-"
"Spare me his name p interrupted
the Squire, raising his hand. "You
mean the artist I have met here. l
knew from the first he was my rival.
But it is woman's privilege to change,
Mr.. Cathcart-as they should be, women
at times arc ambitious"
'"rhat is true, unfortunately but I
trust not Jennie. Yet, in justice to her,
let it be she who decides. She is in the
morning-room, Squire. If she consents,
can answer for Mr.. Graham relinquish-
ing his claim, and for my accepting you
as n son-in-law."
II thank you. I will, Mt least try"
The vicar watched him from tho room !;
then, with some anxiety, waited his TO-
| turn.
| Could Jennie--would she be dnzzlcd
by his offer2
Not quarter of IN hour had passed
when quick step on the gravel path
caused the vicar to look through tho
window towards it. It was the Squire
leaving the Vicarago.
'T knew itw calculated tho clorgy-
man, with almost n cry Of JOY. "I knew
Was not wrong about Jennie. Come
in," for there was tap at the door, and
his daughter entered
ooh, papal" she calculated, in sad