The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-08-11
LABOR LOST.

There is scarcely anything more un-
fortunate for man than the absence Of
loving women around his childhood and
youth. Mark Ripon had never known
such women, and offer this fact as some
palliation for his want of faith in them.
He was ignorant of his pnrentnge; he
had been found one morning OH the steps
of the Foundation School in Bnxtcrgate,
Ripon; and as it was on the festival of
ST. Mark, he had received the name of
the saint and the name of his native
city, and been adopted by the institu-
tion Wholesome food, stout clothing
and n decent trade had boon given him
by the foundation, and in many respects
he was felt to have done it honor, for
after fifty years creditable citizenship
he was ono of the Cathedral vestry. sat
in the Common Council of this ancient
city which had adopted him, and was
said to be worth ut least ESQ.,
But there is success which the world
sees little of that Of the heart-and i'll
this respect Mark Ripon was the veriest
pauper. OF the nurses and matrons who
had been around his earliest years he
had not ono tender memory; none of
them had fed the hunger of his heart.
He had no home, no mother, no sister.
The school had been simply place in
which to eat, sleep and learn.
Unfortunately, when. the lad fell in
love, it was with pretty flirt, infinitely
more hoartless than himself. But
Marks love had been deceived and
mocked, md, when he had come out of
his chagrin and sorrow, he had q con-
tirmed belief in the general and natural
unfaithfulness of women. Popular max
inns and jests confirmed him every day
in his idea, and, Like most Englishmen,
having once avowed this as his opinion
every reiteration of his own 'idea was
fresh confirmation of it.
But he had many friends among his
own sex. Men generally spoke of him
as crusty old bachelor, bat otherwise
as a well-to-do, shrewd and honorable
old fellow. Chief among these was
young George Dewnes, tho child of the
only companion his boyhood had ever
known, his own godson. IF Mark Ripon
loved any human being, it was George
Downes, though the latter, rs he grew
to manhood, gave him q great deal of
anxiety, for George preferred the society
of women, md would not credit Marks
positive assurances of their universal
falseness and unw0rthiness.
One moonlight night, as Mark was
coming from q vestry meeting, he mot
George in the cathedral close, and on
his arm was a very beautiful girl The
old man looked very angrily and doubt
fully ut the pretty face lifted to his ia
vorite's. The brightmoon-benms touched
hor long fair curls, and made the veil
round them like a glory. Mark rcmem-
bered just such lovely, innocent face
to his, md he had no doubt That this
girl would be rs false to George as pretty
Fanny Maltby had been to him.
George, however, would not be per-
suadod to doubt her. Then Mark offered
to pay his expenses if .ho would go
abroad and travel for two years; but
George said he had got situation in
bank, and preferred to stay at home.
The young man, in Marks eyes, was
bont on running himself,' and in a: few
weeks ho celebrated his wedding, with
an elaborate rejoicing that reused the
old mans bitterest contempt. '
George fully expected that now he
would bo ignored, and probably lose. any
chances that he might have had of in
holiting his godfather wealth. But
Mark was unlike the generality of men
in many respects, and in none more than
in his behavior to the young man who
had 80 hagrantly disregardcd MI his
adviccs and ollireaties. ..
He redouSled his care over him, and
watched all his rlovements with con-
stantly increasing interest. In fact, he
did not biamo George ut oil; he regarded
him as ono who, in an unfortunate hour,
had fallon into the hands OF q power
which was too gront for him. He pitied
the happy bridegroom, and resolved rs
soon rs possible to release him from the
tolls of q woman who had charmed and
enslaved him.
In vain Georges wife smiled upon and
entertained Mark Ripon. He visited her
house, indeed, for it was necessary to
watch her movements; but neither smiles
nor songs, nor attentions moved Mark.