The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-04-30
In the GlOaming.

In the Cleaning.
''Ycu are the best judge of your own
healt, but l do not think your future
promises much happiness as the wife of
Godfrey Hill. Remember who and what
he is.''
These were the words over which Alice
Hill pondered as she walked slowly through
the grove at Bellows Falls It was her
favoritc walk, when she wished for solitude,
though 1t lay at some distance from her
home, the stately house that crowned an
incline stretch of ground overlooking the
village.
Remember who and what he is
Mrs. Hill had said these words very
slowly, aud with due emphasis only few
hours before, when Alice had read 10 her a
letter, in which Godfrey Hill had asked her
to be his wife.
Who was he, then2 He was the second
cousin Of Alice, man of about twenty
seven, who had been brought up by his
grandfather in the house upon Bellows
Height, aud had supposed his inheritance
of house and fortune assured
Alice and her widowed mother had never
entered the stately house while old Mr..
Hill lived, but had supported themselves
by keeping school for young children,
after Godlrey's cousin, Alice's father, had
died.
1t had never crossed their widest i'm
agination that the old gentleman ut Bellows
talls would remember them by even a
trltlng legacy, and they were inclined to
think they were the victims of q pI actical
joke, when they received The lswycr's let ter
informing them that Alice was The heiress
of the entire estate of John Hill, of Bellows
Falls.
1t was like dream, to come to the
splendid home, to know there was to be
no more weary struggles for daily bread, to
wander through magnificent rooms and ex-
tcnslve grounds with the dellciousy novel
SENSATION OF ownership.
And IL Lust be confessed that Alice at
first thought tut little of the dispossesscd
heir.
But he introduced himself soon as a
cousin, and visited tho house as a welcome
guest.
For, in answer to the second clause of
Mis- HIPS question, what was he2 Alice
could Lave answered truly that he was the
most fascinating lnan She had ever seen.
And Alice Hlll though a bread. winner
III the busy world, had moved in good
society. hav;rg aristocratic family con.
nee ions both Oh .hgr fathers and mothers
side.
She was no novice to be won by a merely
courlly manner, but she had never met a
man whose intellect was so broad, whose
courtesy was so winning, whose face was
30 handsome as were those Of Godfrey
Hill
And yet there was letter in her writ
ing utsk. written by the dead man whose
hclrcss she was, warning her That because
he Is unworthy, because he has botray ed
the trust put IN hun, [ haYc dsinhclitcu
Godfrey Hill"
There WAS no specific charge, no direct
accusation, but tho young helrcss was
warned against her cousin.
Yet, in the many long conversations the
TWO had held togelhcr, Godfrey Hill had
cLacavorcd to convince his fair couslr that
his grandfather had been influenced by false
friends TO believe statements to his dis.
credit utterly untrue.
Lie had almost convinced her that he was
an innocent victim to unfortunate circnm-
stances, victim to mistaken sense OF
honor.
She was young, naturally trustful, and
her heart was tree; 30 it IS not wonderful
that Alice Hill was inclined to restore the
dlsinherited man to his estate by accepting
the oEcr of his heart and hand. Absorbed
III her reflections, Alice did not notice that
clouds were gathering, till sudden sum.
mer shower broke with violence above the
tree tops.
The rain came through the branches sud.
denly, drcLchlng through her thin black
dress, and she ran quickly to the nearest
house for shelter.
lhe nearest refuge proved to be the cot
tagc where Mrs. Mason, who dd the
washing Tor the great house, lived with
her daughter, Lizzie, one of the village
beauties
There was great busting about when
Alice presented herself at the door.
Mercy sakes You're half drowned, .
the old woman cried, hurrying her unex.
pcctcd guest to the kitchen trc. you're
wet 10 the skin, dearie. Now amt it 9
blessing there's u whole washing in til,
basket to 20 honor You can 20 into LIZ
zie's room and change your clothes, ant
IN 40 up them you've got on. Dear, dcal
Your hot is just ruincd--crape won't beal
wc;tlng-anu you've no shawl. You nus
just put on dress of Llzzlc's to 60 home
I'D. It's neatly dark anyway"
where Is Lizzle ?" Alice asked,
sewing at Mrs Gorham's, dearie. Shell
DC coming home, soon. alters make tina
part OF the bargain that she's to be lc
hoE-c afore dark, and it gets dark now b,
six-fall days are shorter than summc
ones. 30 She'll be here soon. It's clear
ing up"
IL was clearing up, and 1t was also grow
lhh oarR, 81 promising TO send home th
borrowed drcssin tho morning, Alice starlc,
for home.
Sho smiled at herself as she stood befor