The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-06-30

CaSily
But, although the dear old house was
unchanged, its inmates were new and
strange to her. A stout midtllc-agcd man
in white summer suit, with u broad
brimmcd hat and cigar, sat on tho steps
of the piazza, reading a newspaper. A ia
sionably dressed lady, some years his ju-
Nor, swung in hammock upon the lawn,
lost in novel.
Several children, in broad -brmmcd hats
and brown Holland blouses, were making
the lives of two nurses a burden to them,
further down the lawn. among the elm
trees, where swing had hung from time
.immcmoriaI.
'City" was stamped On every face and
figure that she saw.
Had Maurice sold the place to some re-
tired merchant, who would ovcr-ornament
and disfigure 1t in the modern villa style2
'If one could live their lives over after
they grow older. and are taught by cXpc
rience what is best for thcm!" thought
Hester in her sadness, once more.
She would.have gone up to the house
and ask lvave to rest aud look around if it
had remained in the care of old Farmer
Williams and his wife. the tenants of the
upper farm.
But she could not face these prosperous,
happy Getty people," who loo kcd at her
with their cold curious eyes, and wondered
almost audibly, "what she could want"
even if they did not absolutely mistake her
for a "tramp."
II wish l could have gone through the
strawberry pasture once more" shcthought
as she turned back toward the railway
station, tired, hungry and unrcfrcshcd.
At the foot of the lane a gentleman, in
summer suit of silver-gray, stood leaning
up against the bars, with his straw hat
drawn over his eyes so far that he failed to
sec the strangers silent approach.
evil! you let me pass, If you pleasc'
said Hester, at last, after waiting some
moments.
lie wheeled round. as if she had struck
Inn, and stared doubtfully in her face.
She uttered a great cry.
"Maurice! Mauricel heard that vou
had 'old the farm and gone to Colorado!"
''IIesterl Can this be you2" he answer
ed
SIS your husband with you, Hestcr2"
''Nly husband2"
"Why, yes! l heard that you were
married very soon after you went to the
city,"
"You heard wrong, Maurice! 1 have
not beer marriod. ss-,o nevor ovon
.I~..siit Nf s...l. q. tlnns. -.
'But why did you 60, then, Hester?
Why did you leave Deepdenea Why did
you refuse to marry me, lf-f there was
no one else in the way9"
Poor Hesterl
She thought Of the hot garret, of the
dream OF fame that never had been realized
of the unlucky book that was lying in the
black trunk, Of the little burial hoard so
hardly earned and saved.
The tears came quickly to her eyes, OBJ
scuring the honest, handsome face on
which he gazed.
Don't cry, Hester" said Maurice Bless.
ing, taking her hand. "And tell me why
you did not marry nc. dcar2"
"Bccausc was a fooll'' sobbcd Hester.
''ls the folly endcd2" asked Maurice,
hiding smile as he bent over her. "Can
not you give me different answer now,
iicstcrf If you can, we will be just tho
happicst pair on earth, here on the dear
old farm"
''HuL you sold Land went to C,lorado,'
said Hester, wondcringly. CAT least
heard So"
II was fool, too, Hester; for I went
TO Colorado, and Was quite ready to sell.
But my brothcrn Law, from the city,
persuaded me to rent 1t to him for one year
till had time to think the matter over.
When | came to my senscs---although had
not forgotten you, darling-I was very
glad that the poor old place was mlne still,
and L came back, some six weeks ago, to
see it. My sister and her husband and
family 60 back to the city next week,
stopping at the mountains on their way. |
shall be left alone, with good Mrs. Will
liams for my housekoeper, and her husband
as head hired man just as I was before
Hester, won't you take pity on me, and
come AMI share my homer l have never
cared for any one but YOU"
do not know In what words Hester
answered him: But see her daily in the
cream colored farmhouse, the very model
OF an active, bustling, good tempered far
mcr's wife.