The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-05-14
The Broken Boat.


culver of her scarlet lower lip.
1T Is what might be expected, sad Mrs.
Ford, sitting screncly at the breakfast
table, when girl will hirt with two gen
tlcmen at once
But haven't airted,' said Alice, ready
to cry.
Il don't know what else you can call 1t,
said Mrs. Ford. sWill you have another
cup of tea, Alice2'
Teal flashed out the girl; 'as if one
could drink tea when ones heart is break
ingl Oh, aunt, if hlr. Errett were gen
rleman lie would release me from this
calling engagement
sYou promised him, my dear p said Mrs.
Ford.
Yes; but hadn't met Arthur Kelham
then; and have written to MIR. Errett, and
implored him to release me from this hate
ful bond,' cried poor Alice. Il have told
him that since our engagemcnt-an en-.
gagement that was your doing, aunt
4 know It,, said Mrs. Ford, and l am
proud of it.
THAT since that engagement went on
Alice, Il have discovered that NY heart is
not my own; and he mas written back that
he sees no necessity for altering the origi-
nal state of things, and that if it is agree
able to me-agrecable indeedl-thc we'd
ding may still take place on the sixth of
October. Horrible, cold hearted, calculat-
ing Old
Good morning, ladies'; hope see you
WE'LL
And Alice's TRADE was unexpectedly cut
short by the apparition of MIR. Bartholo-
new Errctt. She had scarcely uttered a
disjointcd word or two of greeting when
the maid opened al opposite door and
announced:
please, Miss Alice, MIR. Kclham.'
And Arthur Kelham came in, young,
handsome and debo1nuir, as unlike his
mature rival as is blooming May to ripencd
September.
Mr.. Errett put up his eye glass at Arthur
Kclhan,, and Arthur Kclham stared MIR.
Errettf full in the face with wcll-brcd amaze.
ment.
Sir, said Mr.. Errctt, Il am at loss to
imagine what brings you herel'
Sir retortcd Mr.. Kclhan, Il suppose
have as good right to visit my friends as
you have to call on yours!'
you mistake said Mr.. Errctt; 4 am
engaged to Miss Ford
DO you mean to say rctortcd Kclham,
hot hat hn ot,
against her will9 Why, you might as well
be Turkish slavc-drivcr at onccl'
'Sirl' gaspcd Bartholomew Errett, turn
ing livid pallor, Il am at loss to con-
ceive what business all this is of yours!'
Alice stepped between them.
you shall not quarrel about me-, said
she, with dignity that would scarcely
have been expected from one SO small and
slight. Arthur, have carved out my
own destiny and must abide by it. Mr..
Errett, beg you to remember that you
are in the presence of ladics!'
'Am to stand here and sec you insul-
ted2' demanded Kelham, with flushed brow.
4 have promised to be his wife, said
Alice; 'and until he himself absolvcs me
from my word, have no mower to assert
my freedom
DO you then bid me go1'
Yes, the girl answered, almost inaudi-
bly,.
And Arthur Kelham turned and left the
field In triumphant possession of Mr.. Bar
tholomuw Errett.
MIR. Errett!'
'Eh!' said the middle-agcd swimmer; is
1t you. Kclham2 Boating, ch?'
Yes. Do You think it's quite safe for
You to be hore, so far from land9 You
are not afraid of that shark, thcn2'>
'Of the-wEat2' said Mr.. Errctt.
3 Haven't yot hcard2 There has been a
shark along tins shore since yestcrday;and,
by Jingol believe he is there now. Don't
& you see something that shines white through
the spraya'
Mf. Errett reared himself up in the