The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-03-01
How He Read II.


imposing stone front and its rows of plate
glass windows, against which the almost
priceless lace curtains fell in foamy grace,
into paradise that should not be a bach
elOr's paradise.
Everything was faultlessly handsome
inside, furnished with an exquisite finish
of detail that denoted the refined taste of
the owner.
People wondered-and had been won
aering for twenty years-why Mr.. Cole
man did not marry.
Forty eight found him portly-not too
portly-gentlenran, with q fine frank face.
adorned by thick, dropping white NOUS
tache, bright laughing eyes, as dark as well
coNld be, and thick luxuriant gray hair
a handsome, independent gentleman,
who had all his life liked his bachelor life,
and his bachelor home that was 80 grace
fully presided over by his widowed sister
who liked the ladies remarkably well, but
who had mover been convinced he could
love any one as he believed q wife should
be loved, unless we except little May Lean,
whose blue eyes had once or twice been
lifted to look at this wonderful rich, hand
some, gentleman, who was Mrs. Anderson's g
brother, and Mrs. Anderson was one of
those genuine high. bred ladies who was
lot ashamed to condescend to be a warm,
true friend to May Deans mother, even
II Mrs. Dean did do her plain sewing for
her.
May had several times seen Mr.. Coleman.
and once or twice ho had taken especial
notice OF her, rather enjoying her uncon-
scions awe of him, and very much admir-
ing her undcniable gentle sweetness of man
ner, movement and voice.
He had come to find himself thinking
frequently about her, so frequently that he
had been obliged to bring himself to ac-
count for presuming to give seconds
thought TO the insane probability of a
little blossom like blue-eyed May Dean
caring for him-old enough to be her
father.
Mr.. Coleman sat in his library alone
such magnificent, imposing room it was,
with its high ceiling, it's inches where
statues of all the great scholars and states
men stood, its rows of shelves reaching to
the ceiling, its long central table, it's other
tiny tables where low, pleasant looking
chairs were drawn up, its sweeping green
damask curtains, its carpet like huge bed
OF emerald moss.
Mrs. Anderson had gone out that night.
and Dir. Coleman was thoroughly revelling
IN the prospect OF long undlsturbcd even
ing, when servant raped at the door,
with note on silver salver
MIR. Coleman took 1t rather abstractedly,
for notes were Of such common occurrence
with him, and, besides, lie was already i'm
patient to be In the dry details of some
projected improvement in one Of his big,
houclshlng factories-an improvement that
would be appreciated by the hundreds of
girl operatives he employed
80 he took the note rather indtfferently
until he saw the name subscribed in full
Nlay 4. Dean"
just little look of surprise came into
hls eyes, and there was just the lnercst pos.
siDle acceieration in his steady pulses, not
enough 10 make pereeptible tremorin his
hands-as he read the communication
''DEAR MIR. COLEMAN Il have no doubt
but that you will be very much astonshed
when you find have taken the liberty of
writing to you; but what wanted to say
thought had better write. Please do
not be angry with me for vcnturlng as I
have done. ! am not sure that am doing
right in telling you all do; but / have
thought IL over and over, and have come
TO the conclusion that l will. Of course
you Know how poor mamma and l are
how She has to sew, and how have been
employed in Mrs. Emmett's family with
the children from nine till three but she
has discharged me and sent the children to
regular sohcol, and, MIR. Coleman, can.
not Imagine what Is to become me .un-
less you will have me-"
lie paused point blank, and read the long
sentence over again, q curious expression n
coming into his eyes and smile creeping
under his moustache.
unless will have her | Can 1t be DOS
slble that she. has really cared for me-
cares for me enough to lay aside all con-
vsntionalities, and so gracefully, scnsibly
offer her precious sclf2''
Ills eyes were tcnderIy solemn, yet tr-
nmphantly happy, as he went on, touched
10 the heart by her artlcssness-
II Know am very, very bold IN daring
to ask such favor of you. / am almost
sure you will be yexed and refuse me; but
90 not mean any harm. | must not let
dear mamma be weighted with me, and |
know You are very good and kind; and IN
deed, l will try hard to please you in every
way, Please, Mr. Coleman, let me come.
will you not But, if you would rather
not have me, 10 not be afraid of hurting
my feelings by saying so. Unless you
really 90 want me l would rather You said
no than take mo just because l have ven
turcd to ask. If you will write to me ,usL
word | will bc very much Obliged.
Yours,
MAY Il. DEAN"
There were moro suspicious of emotions
in Rowland Coleman's Dyes than had been
there for many long year as he folded up
the letter, and put 1t in his pocket.
There was no thought of the projected
Improvement In the huge silk mills now
no thought of the details his very soul
loved to struggle with.
He walked up and down the library, his
eyes fixed on the floor, his head dropped