The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-05-24

NSSP oiuo CJCe-uiGlJuSu nllSS vance b
were decidedly the deeper blue and more
bewitching-and lovely, yellow-gold hair.
walter found himself admlring the style
Of Miss Vance's coi0eu,' before he had
known her an hour; and when he went up
to his room that night he felt as if between
the two, roguish Mabel and sweet little
Irene. he would never come out heart
whole.
"For Mabel is good little darling, "
thought he, "and will take Grcatunclc
Abah's advice and fall in love with her,
and thereby secure generous share of the
Cressington estate. Egad! that's happy
thought!
But the handsome young gentleman
went to sleep and dreamed, instead OF
MabePs laughing eyes, Of Irene's gentle,
tender ones; and awoke somewhere in the
middle of the night, unable to get asleep
again for thinking of her.
And the after days were not much better.
Despitc the golden value of Mabel there
was something about Irene Vance that
made this headstrong fellow very foollshly
Indifferent to the advice he had sworn to
follow
"Because, by Jove! fellow would have
to be made out OF granite to resist the sweet
shy ways of such little darling as Irene!
And I'll marry her if she'll have me- and
the money and property may 60 to the
dogs. pve a head and pair OF hands, and
blue-eyed Irene shall not sufferl"
1t was not al hour later that he met her
ip the hall, carrying great boughs of holly.
with which to fcsLoon, down the walnut
staircase.
"Give me your burden, Ircnc," SAID he.
"Why did you not tell me you were going
to gather it, and let me go with you2 It
is altogether too heavy u burden for your
arms to bear"
lie managed to get the lovely sprays
from her arms but it required al Immense
amount of tardy effort On his part, and shy,
sweet blushlng Oh hers.
"Answcr me, Irene, Why didn't you
let me 60 with you2 Wouldn't you have
liked it,"
He demanded her answer in the most
captivating, lordly way, anu she dropped
her eyes In great confusion.
eyes,"
''Then why were you 80 cruel to mc2"
Il am not cluel to anybody. Indeed |
must 60 now"
Walter placed himself squarely in the
way, and was looking down at her rose
tinted face.
''No, you can't go yet. Irene, you are
cruel, or you would never deprive one of
the opportunity to enjoy the blcssedness
of your society,"" His voice lowered ten
derby, and he dropped his head nearer her
golden curls. "You know think it cruel
III you to be 30 distant, and shy, and re-
served with me-don't you, Irene2"
She shrank away, her lovely form droop
lug ike NY, ner CHECKS hanging out their
signals Of distress and confusion.
"Oh, please don't talk 80 to me. Indeed
must gol Mabel is waiting for the holly,
and she-they won't like it if"
But she was prisoner i'll his tight clasp.
"If what2 If they find you and nc
talking so conhdentially togetherS"
"Nol mean If don't take the holly
at once"
Walter put his arm around her waist be-
fore she knew what he was doing.
"Irenc, look up. You shall not 60 un-
til yon let me see in your eyes if you love
me as well as love you'll Irene, my dear
little girl, do love you very dearly!"
She was silent for one second, and he
saw the quiver of her red lips. Then she
raiscd her head slowly, shyly.
"You love mc2 Oh, Walter, what will
they all eay9 Don't you know it is Mabel
you should say that tor am nobody,a and
Mabel is an heiress."
Walter had both arms around her by this
time, and was looking ardcntly in her glow
ing face.
.''"I know Mabel ls all hcircss, and nice
little girl, and i also know you arc dar-
ling, my darling-and the only girl l ever
asked to be my wife, or ever shall aslSl
Say yes, pet!"
His tones were low and tender, but tri.
'And you can deliberately give up so
much for only just me2"
Her wohdrous eyes met his bravely now,
and thrilled him with the love light in
them.
"Only just you, my, own darllngl Why,
you are more than all the world tc me.
Come, we will 60 tell Uncle Abian at once.
just one kiss tirst--you mustl"
And he had more than one or two: before
he led ner, blushing, with tears trembling
on her lashcs, like diamonds of golden
thread, to Uncle Abiah, who sat in his
library with Mrs Cornelia, industriousy
looking over receipt book. They looked
up in surprise as Walter marched in, Irene
on his arm, picture of confQson.
eff you please, Uncle Abiah, l want
your blessing and cordial consent to receive
this little girl for your niece. | love her,
and she loves me"
Uncle Abiah looked shrcwdly over his
glasses at Mrs. Cornelia.
"Wcll, sister. what shall VIC say to this
youths demand?" -..
A broad smile of perfect delight was on
her merry face. .
"Say2 Why, tell them yes, and wei
come; and let them know their Aunt Cor
nelia isn't a fool If their Uncle Abiah is."
Walter looked on astonishcd, and folt
Irene's hand tremble on his arm.
"What is it, dear2"
She smiled through her tears Us she look.
cd into his lnquiring eyes.
"Oh, Walter, am afraid you will be
angry. | am Mabel after all, and--and--
| "And you have made love to your cousin
the heiress, in spite of yourself, my boy.
So Hillcrest is a foregone fate, after all,
ch2" ..g
'Don't scold, please Walterl" Mabel
pleaded, in low voice, with her blue eyes
looking into his. ..... ...- .
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