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

| SaPtalu DOIucIS UOWcu low.
Your pardon; more missing property,
Miss Westerley," he stammered
"What is 1t now2" asked Adelaide, in
amazed tones.
"a ring dropped yesterday. All, here
1t is," stooplng to hide guilty blush, and
immediately, with strange good fortune,
discovering diamond ring at the edge OF
the grass plot.
He showed it to her-a diamond quaint
~ set; his property for fifteen years, lie
said, the gift of his dead mother.
| The heiress Of the jumpers was as guile
less as child. She never thought of fear:
and what was there to suggest it in gentle
words and courtly toncs2 And, fortunate
~ captain Some1s was an honest man, and
honestly in love.
They chattcd among the rose vines for a
long hour. The young man made prac-
tlcal use OF his time. With undue stress
he told her who he was-the younger of two
orphan brothers left early to find their for
| tunes. The elder had succeeded better
| than he; perhaps because less scrUpulous.
II was Godfrey's yacht Gordon commanded.
He had no money, but he had not q vice.
and the good will of all men.
And when he had gone, she found that
nentary, recommending HIM to stations of
trust, so that she was able to afford aston.
lshed and alarmed Aunt Resolve all the
| assurance she needed.
And now Adelaide was no longer alone.
She had lover.
Week after week the yacht Mermaid re-
NAMED ID the ofling. Day by day the young
people tloatcd On the IN Doth summer tide,
or strolled in the garden, or sang at the old
piano songs ringing ano full Of sweetness.
Tcrhaps no happier hearts existed under
the sun. Then Godfrey Somcrs sent for
Ills yacht, and Gordon must needs obey aud
speed North
ooh, Gordon, you will forget me-" she
cried.
"torget my little oriolcP Nevcrl Child,
you 10 not know how l love you. Wear
this ring for me, Adelaide.
1t was deep and yellow. and bore in
deeply engraved characters the word cal
ways" And 80 they parted for few
weeks, bctrothcd lovers
The summer waned, but Adelaide was
80 happy she did not mind when the rose
petals fell and the fruit was gathered.
Aunt Resolve, who watched her constant.
ly nowadays, saw that she was wrapped in
dream of bliss. Her nature of great
sweetness was alive, aud her lover and her
love life was all to her. And now, for
Somcrs' sake that was plain-shQ began
TO take an interest IN the tasks and the
plans ut the jumpers.
"Where docs the money come from that
pays the plantation hands for their work.
Aunt Resolye2"
"They have their cabins and corn and
nj, T
wages out of the fruit crop. ,"
s'What docs that consist Off"
''Strawbcrrics, pears, melons, and
grapes.
''Where are they sold?"
81 send them North by the boats"
s'What buys our food and drcsscs9"
"Thc oyster beds. They are a great
deal OF care, assure YOU"
''For you. You have the care of every
thing. Let me learn to help you. dear
auntle; let me learn to be useful t, yo,."
And Adelaide grew busy, painsLaking,
and thrifty. She was dustlng an old cabi-
net one day when panel, which always
seemed secure, slipped from lis groove into
her hand, showing a cavity filled with COM
pnrtments behind. In one was a bit of
folded yellow paper. 1t was not worth
disturbing, at first Adelaide thought. At
last, with reluctant curiosity, she drew it
forth, unfolded, and scanned it's faded CHAR
acters, and, as she read, her dark eyes de-
lated, her checks palcd, she caught her
breath.
Aunt Resolve was counting out money
on the library table. Suddenly Adelaide.
all white and trembling, entered the room,
the paper in her hand. "What have you
there2"
Aunt Resolve had grown suddenly ghast
ly at tho eight Of the faded scrap. She
snatchcd at the girls wrist, and drew the
paper toward her without touching it. She
saw only too clearly the minute, quaint
characters, clear as print, though the Ink
was faded. Then she pushed Adelaide
away and turned aside her face.
The bcwjldcrcd girl sat down upon the
footstoo1 at her feet.
ooh, Aunt, what Is it2''
cit Is nothing" portioning off the silver
with trembling hand. "rhc salt marsh
must be cut now; 50 go away, child; / am
busy"
But the girl clung about her knees.
'Ohl this is my grandfather's name
signed to this" she cried, tand l am home
less"
cam [ not the last of my race? His
father gained it dishonesty" he SAYS,
"and when his descendants shall have
dwindled to single one, let him or her not
dare to marry, but restore the estate to the
rlghtful family, bestowing it upon tho poor.
ost mombcr thereof" quoted the girl, the
words of the paper stamped on her men,
ory.
Aunt Resolve groaned and her hands fell
from their task.
"Child, childl" she cried, chow in the
world came you TO find it2"
81 was dusting the cabinet. 1t was be-
hind a panel that fell down. did not
dare to touch it at first. Now have read
1t oil, and know what it means-what I
have to do, auntie." And now the girl
stood up.
"Your father gave it to me for safe keep
ing. | never meant you to see it, Adelaide. ;"
"fhat would have been very wrong,
auntie." o.
''No, no, dcarie; you must marry and
be happy"
The girl did not speak. 'Shc stood look
f,,fr g.,