The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1882-11-23


bawled-
"Say, Trixie, come down h.ro.
"Fred Douglas has been a-waitin'
over SINCE Tom went away; say, 'ryou a.
comin'2"
Trixie came-no signs OF tears on her
freshly-bathed faco, no sign OF ohagrin
or defeat visible in hor uucrimpled
rutfles, OF the braids of her amber gol-
den hair.
But only q ouIious little light in her
"Well?" she said, cheerily, as Fred
tossed his cigar out III the srubbery.
II think not,,' he answered, so
gravely chat it touched her.
"But it can't be helpod," she went
on.
Its shame, downright shame
that you can't h,lve Maud.
''FrcdI' and Il sudden defiant look
sprang up jn her eyes, "why do you
submit 60 t;.mcly?
"They can't make her-force her, you
know to mar y anybody"
He looked dolcful enough.
Perhaps they couldut't forco you,
Trixie, but Maud, you know, she is such
II dependent, gentle, obcdient little
soul. She'll do precisely rs she's told "
Trixie pulled IL spray Of honeysuckle
! off, thoughtfully.
fred, consider yourself in tho wit
nessbox, under oath.
"Do you think grandma Drnyton is
doing right to separate you and Maud?"
"Right2
"WeIl should say not rather. Nor
you and Tom"
| Erred, hush!
"Would you like to marry Maud,
yotrself?'
Would u follow like to go to Heaven
when he dies?
''TriXie, can you doubt it ?''
| And there WIS 10 quest on of his
rapturous assertion in his handsome
eyes.
Every well, then.
"Now, Fred, darcsay you know-a
-little-about Tom and me, and the
solution Of this riddle will depend II pon
| you and me.
erred, you and mo must fail in love
with each othor, not really and truly,
you rogue" she added, flushing like
wild rose.
"But it's just here.
Tom Drayton and Maud Fleming
submit too tamel y to their fate, wretched
enough they feel they will be.
I'm ashamed to say it, but they
want little moro stirring up.
"They want to be made jealous and
! get their g; oyos open il, ti"S
NlH you do as say, Fred?
eff you will. L will take al tho re-
sponsibility.
"Only remember, you are not to
make love to mo only when Maud or
Tom IL around"
And two or three hours afterwards.
when MIR. Drayton drove Miss Fleming
over III hor pony carriage, as Trexie
had suggested, they found Fred Douglas
: : just passing through the gate, looking
very happy, inded.
And he turned to throw q kiss to
InXlo standing on tho piazza, who
answered with bewitching little smile.
And then he raised his hat to Miss.
Fleming very cordially, but not an usual
somehow.
| You don't know how perfectly de-
| lighted wo all aro,' Trixie said, as they
all sat III rustic rockers on the piazza
| "lt seems really as if fate was doing
! her very best for all Of us, tor so long
as you have confided your charming
| secret to mo L have Frcd's permission
to tell you L have followed suit.
"See?"
And she held up little slender hand
on whose finger a solitaire cleaned in
the sunshine.
Indeed. Drayton said in desperate
attempt TO appear nonchalant.
You have certainly surprised u.s."
"b'red is n dear fellow" Maud said,
as she stopped to pick rosebud of her
dress and lifted II face pnler than usual.
They didn't stay long after that, al-
though Trixie was in her most hewitch-
ing, most sparkling, mood.
For month the play was kept up,
tho farce on one side, that was q daily
decpenlng heart tragedy on the other.
Day nitcr day Tom aud Trixie would
sec each other, under some circumstnn-
ccs, from which Draytol would go
away moso furious than over, while
Ficd md Maud grew almost like
strangers to each other.
And the two consplrators looked tho
happiest people in the world. and all
the countryside gossiped over their do
votion.
81 cannot stand this sort of thing
much longer" Fred said, one bright
autumn day to Trixio, when Maud
l. ioiiiiIP HUI JttSb puSScu CllCln III her
carrlage, hcrsweet face pale and trou-
blcd, her blue eyes hoavy and wearing
the look Of a stag being hunted doath.
''It is killing her." Fred added, al-
most tiercely.
''Don't be senti tal," sho said, al-
most sharply.
Just reserve your forco for ono final
effort, and tho battle is yours.
eff you will oboy mo just this once
moro," she said.
u will always obey you," ho said,
pcnitently.
"You have boon such good IittIo
friend. Irixio."
She laughed, and Drayton, stepped
upon tho piazza that moment, heard
the sweet, joyous mirtn, and saw tho
sudden look + red gave her, and down
III his heart wished that no might choke
him.
u certainty beg thousand pardons
Tor lntruding upon such chuirming
tctc-a tcte, but have been commission.
cd to invite you to Moonlight Falls at'
Blk this evoning--a carriage drive in
couples"
Trlxie looked up in Fred's face with
a look that made Draytou's hoart thrilI