The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-01-19

must have been an old fool to let
them 60 off on that boating trip
to-day? But, if l had refused,
what then? 1t would only pro-
woke Frank, and make him more
resoIute than ever; and as for
Grace, she'd have cried all day, |
suppose. I'm in pretty plight,
l declare / might have foreseen
it-but | didn't-when l took
Frank into the Office, and let him
come here 80 much. ] don't
want him to have her; he's as
poor as Jobs cat-steady and
sure, and loves her, no doubt of
that. I'm not afraid she wouldn't
be happy; but [ wanted my pet,
my pride, my beauty to take q
place BETTING her. But, dear
mel if l say say no she'll run
away with him, or she'll 60 and
break her heart, perhaps. They're
all alike these girls
A look of intense pain passed
over the old's mans face, and be
murmured:
Maybe if I'd been different, An
ME might have been here now
Miriam, too-who knows ?
What makes me think of Annie
so tonight, l wonder?' be said,
moving uneasily in his chair. 4
wish those youngsters would
come home-I do. 1t seems as if
she stood by me this blessed min
ute. Oh, AnnieI Annie! don't
look so. haven't harmed them =
cried the old man, half-wild in his
excitement.
will you have dinner now, sir,
or wait for Miss Grace p asked the
housekeeper opening the door.
It's past your usual time
Dinner before she comes No
indeed!' was the instant reply.
But isn't it time for her to be
home!'
1t is g little late tonight, sir,
She'll be in soon no ooubt.'
'LateP The old man sprang to
his feet as if his years had sud.
denly rolled from him. Late ! be
repeated, as he hurriedly glanced
at the clock, and then walked ner'
vously to the window and back
again.
The door.bell rang. An instant
after Grace's merry voice WOUND
through the entries and up The
stairs, and in she came, radiant
with health and happiness, just
as she had parted from him in the
morning.
oh, grandpa, such splendid
| day we have had 7 she exclaimed
delightedly clasping her arnt
! round his neck.
Then you have had no accident?
No, indeed. What made yot
think of that, grandpa? Am
late? Oh, yes, I see,' glancinE
| towards the clock. 'We wer'
| talking, and l didn't think mucl
| about it, .
Happy child 7 thought Maurice
Greenwood. God helping me
I'll not break her heart-one
enough and the shadow grew
less than ever.
A year went by. Frank Shir
Icy had become a junior partne
in the firm Of Green wood & Co.
and in the old family mansion
bridal feast was made.
sAh!' thought the bousekeeper
as she herself fastened the whit
dress, and placed the orange bios
SONS on Grace's fair brow. IF
could have done this for Mis-
Annie! Well, what's past is pas
foreve., end she's angel crowne'
now.'
God bless you, my children
said the old man and the shado7
grew light, misty, and almost dif
appeared.
Ten years more. Grace had file
Annie's place; her gentle care an
tender affection making the old man
heart warm, and his home sunD.
Her husband had long been as
dearly-loved son her childen, tn
little heart 's-ease blossoms that brougt
comfort to his spirit. He is va,
worn and weary low, and the lovin
friends gathered around him kno
that be is passing from them swift.
but with peace and trust in his hear
For an hour or two be had sluu
bered lightly, Grace sitting besie
him, his hand clasped in hers, whe
be opened his eyes, and, looking