The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-02-08

ing about the ncighbOrhood of the Home
stead, undecided whether to call and make
it up with Katy or not. lie had loved her
for a long time, and had only waited to
have some settled income before asking her
| to be his wife.
The rector had early taken a fancy to
the intelligent lad and had dcv,ted many
hours to the improvement Of his mind.
Harry Amory was consequently better ed
ucatcd than most of his class. His good
friend had not stopped ut this, but had rc-
commended him to the squire, who, find
ing him useful, had employed him in many
ways. lie was often called upon to per-
form the duties OF the steward, who was
old and inllrm. No direct promises had
been made by the squire, but still enough
had been said to lead Harry to suppose that
upon the death of the old man he should
I'LL his office. All in the village looked for
ward to his then asking katy to be his wife,
and installing her as mistress of the stew
ards lodge.
$50, Amory. l nave to congratulate you
on your rise in lifc," said Churchill. Well,
my good fellow, make haste and find a wife
to keep you company in your pretty cot
tagc. Shouldn't mind living there myself,
and fancy know one who would be glad
| to 60 with me" and he nodded toward the
Homestead farm. "Katc Langley is not
SO far amiss-eh, Amory2 and deuccd fond
of your humble servant. Well, ta.ta; shall
DC glad to hear just such another has taken
fancy to you.'
'sThc hcartless coquette! So this is the
foors game she has been playing with mel"
| exclaimed the iratc lover $50 that is a
| fellow she prefers to me, who has loved her
| 50 longl Let him have her, say; but
| won't stop here to witness their courtshp.
| So this is the end of all my hopcsl Just as
| my desire Is accomplished aud l can offer
her home, nm balkcd of my greatest
treasure. l will he Off to the squire aud let
Inn know have changed my mind about
| accepting the stewards office. Ned Glover
will be glad enough to have it, 30 l will be
dong no harm. So goodbye, Kate Lang
leyl' he cried as he waved his hand toward
his Homestead, "May you be happy with
your ncw-found lovcr"
-
"Katy, child, What is this hear2 Giles,
the plowman, has just brought the news
that Harry Amory has thrown up his new
situation and is gone to London Wonder
If the lad is mad? But what is the matter
with the lass2 Here, Martial hurry! Why,
the child has faintcdl"
Katy nuu not tainted; she was keenly
alive to her sorrow. So Harry had taken
her hasly words in earnest, and was gone
forever, perhaps. Should she never see
him again2
Taking the weeping girl in his arms, her
fond father soon learned the particulars OF
the lovers quarrel. He saw his child was
to blame, but could not understand Harry's
not attempting to sec her again. He did
not know Of his meeting with Frank
Churchill, and the wrong impression that
had been made on him.
Poor, poor Katy! She was indeed Sc
verely punished for her petulancc.
Three years passed away, and she only
heard that Harry was in merchants office
III London, and doing well. All this time
he had never once visited his native place.
She hated Frank Churchill 80 thoroughly
for beng connected with her quarrel with
Harry that even he could not mistake her
sentiment toward HIM.
lie soon ceased to notice her. and often
remarked to his female admirers that "Katy
Langley was getting decidedly plain"
Katy passed her time chiefly in attending
to her old father. She seldom Joined her
companions in any Of the village gayetics,
and was entirely changed from the hasLy,
| coqucttish beauty who had smittcn so many
hearts. Many were the offers she had, even
now, but she turned deaf car to them all,
vowing within to remain true to her love
for Harry.
"katy, there's to be grand cricket
match next week; SO get your tinery ready,
child, and we will both 60 to see it," said
Farmer Langley. 81 was good hand at
| bat in my young days, but l hear they
have some new-ianglcd mode of bowling,
| which should like to sec.'
Katy remembered with sigh, that
Harry had been the best bowler in the vii
lagc, but she quickly smothcrcd it, and
| promised to be ready.
Very lovely she looked on the Saturday
| afternoon when she went with her father
to The cricket field. Her complexion was
still as purely white and her checks rs rosy
as when, three years ago, she had parted
| from Harry. But now, added t. this, was
| more sensibiity-morc heart in the express
sion Of her face, and her soft, blue eyes,
though bright as ever, were more often cast
down. Not n word had her father said as
| to who was expected to join the crcketers.
| Harry Amory, after 50 long an absence,
had come on Il visit to un aunt in the neigh
boring town. His old comrades of the
cricket club had soon looked up their best
bowler, and upon his play they chiefly lc-
pended to beat their antagonists
"Ah, Amoryl glad to see you againl"
| The voice was Frank Churchlps. Just
married, you know, and spending q few
weeks with the old man before settling in
London. Deuced slow hole, this, to pass
ones days in. Got the old fellow to advance
me enough money to purchase practice.
You know my wife, l thmE9 viii go and
bring her to speak to you."
"Ah, Harry! how are you, my lad? Glad
to see you again! How long do you intend
to stop among us2 But | must not keep
you," said Farmer Langley, "for there's
the umpire calling you to play. Shall see
you again presently"
Harry's party were very nearly disap.
pointed of their victory. lie played so
rccklcssly at first that the Ainsworth Club
was delighted. All at once no seemed to
brace himself for the struggle, and one after
the other threw down their bats to make