The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-08-25
A GIRLS HEROIC ACT.

A quiet country road, and u carriage
drawn by two spirited ponies, who
tossed their heads and arched their
graceful necks as if they were enjoying
to the utmost their own rapid motion.
Such was the scene.
In the carriage were seated two young
ladies.
The elder of the two was guiding,
with firm hand, the restless ponies.
She was not beautiful girl, you would
think, ut first sight; but her refined
face, with its broad, intellectual fore
head, and the proud poise of the small
head set upon an erect, finely moulded
figure, made picture very attractive to
the eye.
Her companion was perfect con-
trast
"Lovely p was the adjective which
would rise involuntarily to the lips upon
seeing her. Great silky masses of
golden hair swept back from a brow
pure as alabaster, while the dark,
lustrous eyes were in vivid contrast to
the peachy fairness of her complexion
her mouth was M incarnation of sweet
ness with it's delicious rose-red curves ;
while beneath, tho rounded chin was
cleft with rogl,ish dimple.
Nip and Tuck seem in good spirits
this morning, Annis," said May, as
they flew away.
"Havc you thought that if return
home when papa wants me too, that this
will be our last drive ?"
- Annis gnthored the rnins in one hand.
and quickly passed the other around
her friends slight waist, us she said
'I do hate to think of your going, my
darling I have enjoyed these few
weeks to the utmost. But know your
father needs you, and I must not be
selfish"
AS she spoke thus lovingly, sudden
resolve came into Mays face. She
hesitated moment, then drawing off
her glove she held her small left hand
up before .Anniss eyes.
On the third finger in its enamel
setting, cleaned large solitaire pearl.
After one surprised look, Annis ex-
claimed reproachfully:
Why, May, can it be that you arc
engaged, and have never told me of
it?"
A bright flush suffused Mays ex-
pressive face as she replied:
eyes, Annis, you have guessed
rightly. I meant to tell you long ago
but somehow it is hard for me to speak
freely of my own feelings, and it is all
so recent I hardly can believe it myself
yet. But do realize one thing-that
the one who placed this upon my finger
is the noblest and best of men, and you
will agree with mo when tell YOU who
he is--for you know him, Annis. One
day, soon after our engagement, I was
speaking to Mr.. Coleridge of our visit
I was going to make you at 'Greyhurst'
this fall, and when I mentioned your
name he said ut once that he knew you
well--had met You when you were ut
your uncle's."
AS the girls happy voice spoke these
words sudden pallor oversprcad her
listeners features. But not noticing,
May went on:
''I suppose you wonder how became
acquainted with him. Well, it happened
this way: Our minister was called
away by his mothers illness, and Mr..
Coleridge came to take his place, md
papa invited him to make his home with
us during his stay"
AS her friend shope Annis's thoughts
had flown back to tho past year. She
remembered how her interest had been
caught Of her first sight Of the young
Clergyman, whom her uncle had brought
home with him ono evening, and how
the oftener sho saw him the deeper that
interest grew, until suddenly she be.
came aware that unconsciously she had
given away, unsought, her girlish
heart.
1t was true that Ralph Colcridge Ind
never acted toward her in lover-like
way; but Annis could not help the love
which had so strongly cntwincd itself in
her heart.
Then had come the announcement OF
the death Of her fathers only brother,
and that he had left her his sole heiress
Then she had been obliged to lease the
quiet little home in which she had been
so happy to enter upon her duties as
mistress Of stately "Greyhurst. She
had had many suitors since but hel
heart yot remained true to it's first i'm.
preston. Now she saw that the future
to which she had looked with tho hope
fulness of youth had held no bright
possibilities. for her, Xxx.
As her friend paused, with strong