The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-08-18

were presently exchanging opinions on
the staple party-going topics.
10 do Bert justice, he sincerely re.
GREETED his thoughtlcss exclamation
He was ungentlemanly, he knew, and he
had, besides so great horror of female
ugliness as to regard all subjects to il
with a painful compassion. The dread
that Miss Pierce had overheard his re-
mark gave him just that sting of sell
reproach that one would feel had he
alluded to the infirmity of deformed
person in his presence. He determined
to be so agreeable and doferential that
she should imagine her ears had de.
ceived her.
Conversation progressed very pleas
antly between the two.
"Nice girl to talk to-" Mr.. Dean
decided. ''Sweet voice, no giggle, NO
affeotation."
Just as he made this reflection, he en-
countered the eyes Of Harry Sinton, and
fancied he saw in them satirical amuse-
ment. Awakened by this glance to the
conviction that he was making himself
the subject Of mirth, he sought the side
of an acknowledged belle, and saw no
more, Of Irene Pierce until dancing
began. .,... ...
She was standing opposite him, in n
set where the fashionable Miss Bently
was his partner. This young lady was
considered very elegant parsonage.
She wore Paris dress, and the costliest
ornaments of any one in the room. Bert
Dean's glance rested with satisfaction
on Irene Pierce. Her face, undeniably
pretty, her dress was stranger to Paris,
and had, perhaps, been made at home
but it was accompanied by smooth
white neck and n pair of rounded arms.
AS Bert made these comments, and
listened dissatisfied to his companion's
commonplace remarks, he decided to
engage his Vis-a-vis for the next set.
He found himself repaid for his daring,
for Irene Pierce could speak of her own
seX without malice. Her conversation
was intelligent, which assured him she
was familiar with the best books, and
her choice language pleased him. All
this he discovered in the pauses of the
dance, and she pleased him so well that
he fingered ut her side rather longe,
than mere politeness demanded when
the set was over.
On his homeward way, in company
with his friend Sinton, he had encoun.
tered some raillery. He announced
himself to have found in Miss Pierce the
most agreeable girl he had found in G
long time, truly ladylike and intelligent
"You can't deny that her hair is red, ,
laughed Harry.
"Certainly not; but it was tastefully
arranged
The next day, in the afternoon, found
Bert Dean standing Oh the steps of the
house which belonged to Miss Pierco's
father. He did not tell his friend tha
he had asked permission to call, but he
did.
He found Mrs. Pierce and he,
daughter sitting together in tho back
parlor, with their work. Irene was
braiding sacque for her little sister
and her mother employed on something
more practical. She had not been vel
schooled, rs the idea that she was tc
leave the room did not occur to her
Irene did not look as plain as she had
done last night, as her animated CONVEX
sation dazzled him. There was NJ
affectionate confidence between mothe,
and daughter that he had not met in the
best society, and he found it, or some
thing else, so pleasant that he largely
outstayed the limits of fashionable
call.
"I had better not call again." he
thought MS he went home; "but what G
delightful companion she would be -
A week or two went by, and Bert
adhered to his new resolution of not
calling, but was unable to prevent him
self from watching for her
"May," hc asked carelessly of his
cousin, one evening, "who are those
Pierces ?"
"Old friends of mine," she answered
excellent, substantial people; but why
do you ask ?"
IT have met them but here, and tha
is the last time have heard of them,
he said.
"Mrs. Pierce thinks home is the bes
place for girls, so she does not go OH
much"
If Irene Pierce went out so little, ther,
was scarcely q chance that they should
meet except ut her own house. And dit
ho really care enough about the nc
quaintance--was it valuable enough
for him to take trouble to seok it2
Probably these questions wer,
answered in tho affirmative, rs the mex
day brought him to Miss Pierce's door
nor was that the only occasion on whicl