The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-01-08

+! "IOu ask mo II l am over lonely" he
said, In low, murmurous tone that was
intoxicating in its sweetness and proud
strength, that grew passionate as lie went
on; ''as If | could be, when ! have had
you. Isabel, you will not go and leave me
desolate9 Isabel, my own darlingl my
own beautiful darling!"
Then, without waiting for III answer,
satisG, ed in that he told her all his heart,
US 1t beloved him to do. john Clifford
caught her in his arms, held her in tight
embrace, the while raining kisses he could
not withhold on her splendid face, on her
warm, quivering lips.
Then lie held her at arms length and
smiled down on her.
"My ownl know + had but to tell
and" @ & &A G.
But she was shlvcring strangely.
He saw her mouth parted to speak, and
he stopped suddenly.
"Mr. Clifford-oh, Mr.. CT ford, would
give worlds to undo what you have
done! to unsay what you have said! Oh,
why has this terrible mistake occurred
Tell me what have done to Justify it!"
She was fairly wailing out her pit eous
words, and lie saw there was something
yc: to como.
''rell me-, he returned huskily. "What-
over ii is l want to know
r.. But she seemed to Disregard his words.
Sho walked up and down the little room
! in restless Distress
''How did know you thought I was
Miss Dc Lorme3 Everybody called Inc
Isabel. John Clifford, am Mrs. Dc
Lormc! Why didn't you know ~"
There was smothered flerceness III her
voice rs she abruptly proclaimed ii.
llo stood several seconds stricken dumb
| with the ncws.
Then he went up to her.
''Forgivc mel meant no harm. God
Is my judge Of that. Aud you, Mrs. Dc
Lornle, If you will mcrclfully forget il,
Il will try"
lie bowed and left her to herself.
lie went to the quiet of his room, where
he paced the floor all that long night,
drinking to the very dregs the cup at his
lips. ....
And the next morning, when he como
down. Mrs. De Lorme had gone.
| The afternoon sun was shining all over
the green meadow land, and tlittering in
quivering beauty through the swaying
branches of tho horse chestnuts.
| .ToI,p (lliffSr5 fhrno uao,, ollo- .I,n,, i,,
was the morning he set sail for America,
lay back in the armchair, and looked about
him as man looks who feels glad to be at
home again. - . rH.,t 80. ,.s'..'
He was smiling at his fond mother, who
was bustlng around in restless delight.
"Glad to get home9 Indeed 1 am
mother and what's more, am going to
stay here--settle down, you know, for
good. ".''. -
elf you'd only brought a wife home
with you. john" she said.
His face clouded, then lightened.
| "Blcss you, mother mine, didn't you
know pve como to marry my little Addiea
How is she mother2 am going up di-
rectly after supper"
Mrs Clifford gave little start. ....
''John dear boy-didn't you get the
letter. Why, Adde'S been married this
six months. My poor John !"
She cemc over and silently smoolhed his
avcrted head, Knowing only half the I'M
spcakable agony in his noble heart. u
"Marrled 2' he said at length, "lNho TO
mother2"
"a Mr.. De Lorme. 1t is the queercst
story, dear but our Isabcl-you remcm-
Der 2-was Il married woman, it seems, and
she died shortly after she left here"
"llc came here the summer you went
away, and he and Addie Sutherland madc
a match of it. "'sH'yo Ny" NhS
A common enough story, told in sim.
plcst, most passionlcss words, that Mrs.
Clifford never dreamed were tearing and
cruelty probing wound That never had
healed, and never would
And to day tohn Clifford raises his hat
| to Mrs. Dc Lormc as she rides in her phm.
| ton, with hand that never has touched
woman's clinging fingers siuce that night,
! and his face tells no tales of hls lonely life
at Farmlands. s,..
| szsna.sEs.sss.nx..,saaussas&n.s
l.. :, Tastsieas mn iv.,c III