The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-02-01
Darkness and Dawn.

evening WIFI u ITlCnu LOT BtTOll LnTOuEn
the city. We had visited several places of
interest, and were on our return to our no.
tel, when in passing through dark and
narrow street, a female, closely mutiled in
u coarse shawl-which, thrown over her
conceal all but her eyes--hurrledly crossed
over from the opposite side of the way,
and accosted us III the accents Of deepair.
"Gentlemen, for the love of God, give
me money! My mother Is dying of hunger,
and have not whcrewlth to purchase a
norsel of foo6!"
We were both struck with the tone of
hor voice, for though agitated by a feeling
Of desperation, 1t had a peculiar sweetness,
and her language was that of one both cdu-
Gated and refined.
''Do not think me inquistive," said my
friend, in kindly tone, as lie drew forth
his purse, 81 ask what misfortune has
brought you to thiss for it Is clearly evil
dent tha; you are no common applicant for
charity"
''Oh! no, sir--nol'' she said, shrinking
back into herself, as it were; "Inevci ask
ed for charity before; and though l have
not taken food for two long days. would
sooner perish than ask it for myself now;
but l could not see her die, my snly friend
oh, Godl l could not see er diem
"Herel - said my companion, Hlacing a
sum in her hand which l lmphediately
doubled
She clutched the money like $. miser, and
1or moment or two was completely over
powered by her emotionsJ Then, with
choking effort, she gasped forth:
Thanks, gcntlemenI 7qay God IN heaven
ICES ST. t"n,oa ~. o,,,o,, .,o -. .,o.
hasty steps, and thon/ stopping suddenly,
she looked around, a1hd added
'"Ynn. ask me what misfortune brought
me to thisl 1 shall seem ungrateful If re-
fuse to tell"
'Nover mind" said my friend 'fhe re-
cital will give you pain, and therefore con-
slder tho question unasked."
"Your noble generosity overpowcrs me,
sirl" she reioined, in tremulous voice,
land my pride shall give way. If you have
q. few minutes to spare, come with me and
You shall known all"
MAY" said |, ''do not let us intrude
upon your sorrows, unless you think we can
be pf further assistance. You are welcome
t., The little we have given which should be
doubled il we had more to spare, but wo
have no right 10 claim your secret in return"
She buried her face in her shawl, and
burst into tears.
"Alas!" she sobbcd, elf all mankind
were thus generous how many miserable
being might be made happy Come with
lie and hear my story! know can trust
you, and | shall rest easier to know nave
convinced you | am no impostor."
We assured her that we did not for a
moment doubt of her being tive victim of
some terrible misfortune; but as We might
he OF further service to her, we would see
her safely home, and she might then relate
her story or not. as che should think proper.
"Follow me, y she said, and set off ut a
quick walk down the street, we keeping a
respectful distance behind, and | for one
feeling an unusual curiosity to know some
thing more OF her.
AT the next corner of the street was an
oil lamp which thrcw out a dim light; and
standing near it, i'll lisllcss attitude, we
observed man in the garb OF Il sailor, and
evidently just from sea. AS our unknown
guide drew near him, l noticed that she
seemed much agitatcd and OH coming up
TO him, to our surprise, and apparently his,
she stopped, and looked eagerly into hls
face for moment, and then, with Il wild
cry, She suddenly threw out her arms,
cnspcd him around The neck, and appeared
10 swoon upol his breast.
''Scc!" said my friend, making an abrupt
halt; ''we are dupcd-this is some trick
that girl is an impostorl'
"lmpossiblc" returned I, unwilling to
believe that such grief and misery as she
represented could be a base counterfeit.
"nal see!'
AS spoke, the sailor, as if in deep sur
prise, partly unw0und the arms of the IN
known from his nccl, raised her head, and
ookcd, first cuiously and then wildly,
into her face, which we could see, even
from where we stood, was pale and bcauti-
fnl. The next moment he uttered wild
cry OF surprise; and quickly throwing his
arms around her now lifclcss form ho ex-
caimed:
My God! my God! Mary! My God!"
II seemed to be all that he could utter, as
he fairly totcrcd with his fair burden and
for n few moments we stood dumb with
amazcmcnt.
whats this7 what's the meaning of
thisf' hc now demanded, looking ticrcoly at
"Wcil. ii that Is acting, it il the best |
ever saw, muttercd my companion, as we
fastened forward, and gave a hurried ac-
count of all we knew of the matter.
"Great Godl isit possible2' said the man
looking alternately at us and the fur crca.
ture In his arms, and clasping his forehead
aslf to collect his scattered senses. "Maryl'
ho continued, ut short intervals; "my wifci
my dear wifcl And my mother too
starvingl"
lie continued to repeat these expressions
like one ovcrpowered by some terrible
shock, and who knew not what he was
saying; while we stood looking on, too
much astonishcd to think of Offering him
any assistance.
AT length, with sort of gurgng gasp,
the poor creature opened her oycs; and
looking wildly and fondly into the manly
face OF him who supported her, she mur.
mured
Charles! Charlcsl is this your in life
In death--or in dream9'
pass over the wildl frantic, passionate
excamations on both sides, as each began
to realize the trutll--the one that he had