The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-04-19
At Deaths S Door.

At Deaths Door.
Nothing but privatc-a common pri-
vatep
1t would be in vain to attempt to por-
tray the Lady hlacbethian scorn which
curved proud Harriet Deanc's lip as she
spoke the sentence.
John Hollis, albeit he was quite con-
scious of not deserving the keen edged con-
tempt, quai!ed beneath it.
But, Harriet
flush said the impcrious beauty, hold
ing upa warning finger, IL want to under
stand this matter. Gilbert Armour was
promoted to be second lieutenant, was he
no,2'
Yes
And you are his equal III all rcspcctsT
Might you not also have shared the
honor he obtained p
i might. l suppose said the young
soldier, fixing his calm, dark eyes upon
her far, flushed face, eff had chosen 10
DO 80 at the expense of poor Talbot, who
earned his shoulder straps long ago. They
should have been his by every right,
months since, but poverty and OBJ
scurlty are not the lest place. winners
l.
aside to see wrongcd man righted He
did not choose to sacrifice promotion to
scruple. did, Harrict--was l wrong"
oh, of course, it's nothing to me- re-
piled Miss Deanc. will you be good
enough to hand me that work basket2'
John Hollis looked at the pretty creature
around whom the love Of his strong ma
ture had been cntwincd with fervor rare
, enough Ill these matter -of-fact days. in
wislful pelplcxity
Shining auburn hair, parted from a low,
pearl pure brow, deep blue eyes, and a
mouth whose intense crimson was like the
inside leaves Of rosc-Harrlct Deane was
by no means disagrceable to look at.
Hollis was quite aware of the fact.
'HarrietS' he began.
Excuse me. said Miss Deanc; 81 am
particularly busy counting these stitches
please don't interrupt me-
Unversed as he was in the devious
wlndlngs of feminine nature, he felt that
this was intended for a dismissal
1'll try again tonight, he muscd walk
ing homeward.
The clear January sky was jewell d with
frosty stars stars, and the solemn OH
church clock had just chimcd nine from
it's dim belfry, when he entered the bright
room, with it's mossy blue carpet and hang
ings of azure silk, and Partisan statucttcs
hidden by vases Of vivid roses.
1t was not empty, however, as he had
hoped and expected.
Lieutenant Armour stood in the middle
of the apartment, decidedly conscious of
his fine new shoulder straps, and patronlZ-
ing dozen pretty girls.
lie nodded laughingly to Hollis, AMI
went on with a sentence which his en-
trance had interrupted.
Leap year--to be sure 1t is. And !
may as well state at once that Pm quite
ready to receive any propositions you
ladies may have to make.
Nonsense said May Elp-
hinstone, his cousin.
well, it generally is nonsense, but III
be considcrate and make every allowance
that is possible. think it's great shame
that the girls don't jump at the CHANGE,
when we poor men stand as ready and
willing victims-all bushes and timiCi
glances
He looked at Miss Deane as he spoke,
half in earnest, half jestingly.
John Hollis eyes followed the direction
of his, as if by fascination.
He saw the flush mounting impulsively
to Harrlet's check, and the blue eyes hid
den by their white lids.
How long Hollis stood there, with gid
dy pain surging through his brain, he did
not know.
He was aroused by the breaking up of
the little 'party---thc sound OF merry voices,
and playful adieux.
Harriet Dcane was standing under the
chandelier, one hand resting on the carved
back Of Gothic chair.
Gilbert Armour loungcd on sofa, where
the blue silk curtains swept over an On.
trance to bay window.
AS Hollis pressed forwasd 10 escape tile
hustle and noise, Miss Elphinstono laid
her hand gently on his shoulder.
NO, no, she whispered, archly, ''don't
you see it's on understood matter between
Gilbert and Harriet3 Give me your ,aafT,
and take me home Tor GllbeEt <,;;W
give me another Nodgn. '~.,ighs:N .,,n;,o
Hollis turned away silently "l'h "h'''
lips and clcnchcd teeth. ...., ,o,oo
Why was he blind to the wisltui g'ance
that shone through IIairiet's lasheS-- '''o
uncertain qui,fer of her lips.
He was gone ,..
ArmouT smiled with satisfaction
The T6>ahas clear. >,,.,,
HeIrssaaot~~S little nerVouslN(
" ~. "'T0ast aSsfteabs9,ssl'c,' she eon, ''s' into "a
'-. Ills noblsf ..,.-,...s:sso.s ~,
.pfpoot deliySal,e !
- ..f& 90 ~