The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-05-03
A Lucky Sovereign

and the fragrant odors of the tea roses and
the w0odbine, and the budding grape vines
fingered around them as if the tender scents
were fitting tributes to them.
Two fair young girls, the same age to an
hour, and as unlike as sisters could posi-
bly, be, and each perfect type of her own
style of loveliness-both of them peeresses
in their royal dover Of beauty.
Rose stood leaning against the railing of
the vcranda, her naughty eyes, that could
melt from the cool, brilliant gray they now
looked, into such liquid darkness when oc-
casion equired--splendld, calm, cold eyes
were roaming away into the gathering
dust, that was falling in purplc-gray veil
Of tissue over wood and lawn.
She turned her face toward her compan-
ION. Her Dyes suddenly recalled in their
wandering, listless glances and showed a
half-vcxcd, half-amuscd expression.
''Bell, how much longer are we going to
stay here Pat least, how much longer do
you want to stop2 1 am sure shall die OF
ehntH if l have much moro of it.'
''Oh, don't think OF going back to town
yet, ROso l wish we might never have to
CO."
Never 60 back2 Why Bell, is it pos
sible you are so infatuated with the coun-
try Us 10 actually wish that2 Child, for
three months 1t ls very well to bury ones
self rs we fire buried, and pvc no donbt
that mamma will feel much better and
stronger for it; but to stay longer-in a
hired cottage, with only one half-grown
girl to assist in the work, aud no amuse.
ments CT any sort, and our joint stock OF
earnings exhaustiDg itself daily tell you,
Bell, prefer our own suite Of rooms at
home, with chance of occasional enjoy
ment."
II dare say your right, dear. .ButI do
love the country, Rose"
$50 would l If, for instance, l lived in
the mansion over yondsr, Fcrnlcy Court,
- T6t; S6H know. where the stately hcYvek ccpcr
showed us through, and descanla On thu'
many qualities Al.ei>vast Wealth of It's Owner,
forgot TO tell you, Bell, there will be a
grand reception given a week alter he gets
back, and he is expected hourly"
Bell lifted her eyebrows in graceful lit
tic gesture of surprise.
"a reception Oh, Rose, and OF course
there Ii bc Il dance. Oh, dear, how l'd like
to gol"
''Of course you'd like to go. But do you
think Tor moment the aristoclatiC fam-
lies around here would condcscend to asso-
ciutc with us2'
Dall's tacc grew stern.
''We arc ladies born and bred, if we do
work fur a living
"You foolish child. / can tell you our
faces and our handsome dresscs-it we had
thenl--would take us where our family
name wsuld not. And cun tell you some
thing else, Bell-"
The little gate at the roadside opened at
that instant, and the sound of tagging foot
steps coming toward the house interrupted
Roses remark, and then dusty, travel
stained man paused a. the foot of the steps.
and touched his diney hat-rlm to the
iris.
lie was evidently one of the many re.
spectacle, discouraged disheartcned men
one SO often gees lramping through the
country i'll search Of work.
Rose drew herself up.
500 away. We have nothing for yon.
We don't encourage tramps here"
He touched his hat-thc rim was deciC-
ediy battered and dusty.
Il beg your pardon, laeics; but if you
will give me d"
Rose swept across lhc floor angrily
'Nill you march oil, or will 1 have the
dog set Oh you2 Bell 90 tell Jane to un-
fasten Rover"
Tho man turned away slowly, as if to
An impulse OF lcmonstratiye protest
'Rose how can you be so heartlessp He
Is pale as death, and only see how he drags
himself along2 You might have let him
sill down minute, and at least have given
him kind word and a piece of bread and
butter"
contemptuous laugh pealed from Roses
rcd lips.
Tired and ill Drunk and thief, you'd
better saya A piece of bread and buttcr!
Absurd, Bell" I"
Bell raised her finger warnlngly.
'Oh, Rose, don'tl He'll hear you
Rose raised her voice key higher.
''Lct hun hear, thea! Perhaps you had
better sit and watch that he docs not faint
and fall"
She swept haughtily into the house, lcav-
ing Bell with her checks flushing, and a
compassion born Of the sweet, womunly
womanly sympathy glowing in her blue
eyes rs She watched the man walk slowly,
painfully along, and finally malt at tho gate
ns II III utter ulscOuragcmCnt at the long
stretch OF road between HIM and the next
house, where he might find what Rose had
ludcly dcnicd-lhe magnificent country
seat OF Llon,l Granville, from whose doors
no bcggar was ever turned away hungry.
Bell saw him, aud her quick instincts
old her What she imagined his manner
meant.
Quick as a bird, she dashed up stairs to
her room and snatchcd her poltcmonaic
from the bureau drawer, ana was down
again with sovereign in hcr hand, as she
ran Softly after him, still leaning against
tho gate post, and still looking with that
same strange expression on his pa1he. face at
the towers OF Fcrnlcy caurt. -S'-
Here. please 1t isn't much, but IT'S
all | have to spare. Take it, please. n".sz5Ee
tic looked surprisingly at her, -aslss
at the money. then
"1oS l'' are very kind. d.~bht you are mi.