Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-07-20
WALHALLA, SOUTH CAROLINA THURSDAY, JULY 20 1852

veping hop poles hid her; then went off
thougbtfuIly 10 the opposite direction
"Was King Cophe,ua an idiot or wise
maui" he poudcred. "Surely the beggar
maid was not so handsome nor so queenly Us
Janet Morris? 1 must see her again. And
he did, daily.
the sea being five miles of, it was not two,
and when work was over in tho twilight
she would hurry to the shore. Harry
Bridgnorth had discovered this, and not
an evening passed that he did not meet
her.
At first she had treated him distantly,
but conscious Of her power Of self protec-
ton, fiuully had yielded to his coming; in
decd, soon began to look forward to their
meetings US eagerly os lie. It was very
pleasant, seated with him on the sea shore
listening to tho break Of tho waves or to
his voice telling Of 30 many things, or won
into confidence by his pleasant manner, she
herself relating episodes in her own
wretched life, ignorant that her heart,
which never yet had known love, was ex.
panding now beneath its Influence; and
she, who had drawn back proudly, mis-
trustful of all who were her supcriors, was
confdng now.
Oho day Janet became aware of com.
motion among the gathercrs.
"W hat is it? Is anything the matter?"
she asked Of Que Standing by her
"Don't you know? All, forgot you
haven t been here afore. lis only the mad
lady"
"Thc mad iady?" calculated Junet.
10 10 rfn 81 in hot2
AiD't you never seen mad person, eh?"
1t was Bill Morris who spoke. lie had
come quickly to where she stood
''Tell yer what, though, you'd better
keep buck, or them big eyes of yourn,
staring like that, will hiritate the poor lady
They say as how if you stare at 'cm it
upsets 'em like scarlet do mud bull"
Janet shrank behind the poles, not taking
tho trouble to doub, Bill Norris assertion.
Her thoughts, Indeed were otherwise oc-
cuped, for just then advancing toward
them came the mad lady, a tall, handsome
woman, uttired in deep mourning, that
enhanced tho delicate fairness of her
complexion. Her years could not have
been much above forty, ye. her hair was
white as snow, with q tinge of sunlight
upon il. Her expression was mournfuI;
but it was only when you caught the vacant
look OF the clear, gray eyes you perceived
reason was wanting.
Who was she2 Gould she be Harry
Bridgnorths mother? for it was upon bis
arm she leaned, uEd the likeness between
them was great. Slowly she approached,
turning her gentle gaze on every side and
ever ard again murmuring with sud mo-
ton of the hcad, "iTot yct; not come YET!
Whcre-whcrc? Not hcrc!"
Thcn she passed on and vent slowly out of
sight.
"Who is she?" asked Janet. "Is she
Mr. Harry Bridgnorth's mother?"
"No; his aunt. Something long ago
sent her crazy and she allus comes once
like that when the hops is being gathered.
| don't mind; she's 'armless."
That evening Janet Morris learned the
truth from Harry B:idgnorth.
Years ago his auut, Mrs. Auckland,
young wife and mother, had her child
stoleo while staying with her brother, Mr.,
l}rdguorth The nurse had tukcu it out as
usual, and all that she had remembered was
that she had sat down under treo while
the child played about. Overcome BY heat
she fell asleep.
cit was lovely little thing" concluded
Harry Bridguorth. ''Thc only conclusion
Sc could arrive at Was that it had been
stolen by gypsies. My poor aunt would
have it that it was tho hop piekers, for it
was the hop-pickiDg season, and her train
gave way beneoth her sorrow. When the
hop gathering time has arrived, she walks
through the grounds that she shall Gud her
child"
"poor lady" murmured Janet. "It
must be hard indeed to loso one you love-"
Harry Bridguorth looked hesitaingly
down at her, rs, seated upon portico Of
rock, sho gazed seward Then, bending
nearer, he said, "Aud you have never loved,
JANET
Sho did not take the question in the
meaning he intended.
Shaking her head she replied, sadly,
"Never! who had to lovc?"
lie bent over her, his hand on hers.
but, janet, you arc capable Of love
surely, yes?'
She looked quickly up at him, waves Of
color dycing her check, and strove to free
her hand.
"You must hear mel must speak!'
proceeded Harry Bridgnorth, cxctedly,
passonatcly. Janet, l love you!''
tle etrove to put his arm around her
waist; but, preventing him, Janet Morris
rose. lnward!y she was agitatod, but her
voice, her manner, we're calm aud self.
possessed.
"Ilush, Mr. Bridgnorsh," she said; "you
must not talk 80 to me-"