The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-02-08

We1l, little one, have you made mp
your mind which one of us you'll takc2''
"Ralph, you know that can't leave
Rick"
cts him or me-" said Ralph, stub
bornIy.
''He has no ono else" pleaded Daisy.
Have II There's no use arguing, it's
got to be ono thing or the other. want
wife III my home, and if you won't have
me maybe there are others that will.
Sweetheart, say that you care too much
for me to send mo away"
"Oh, Ralph, you must wait"
Nn!ph muttered nh unpleasant word,
and flung away without n goodnight.
An unsteady stop came down the
path.
Looking for mo. Rick?" Daisy tried
to speak cheerfully.
''No; get awayl'' Rick spoke wildly.
"Yonvo been out with Ralph you'll 20
off with him next. You're tired Of me,
and 1 can't do better than to make M
end of myself. I'm going the straight
road
Daisy threw herself before tho gate:
she clung to HIM, pleaded with MIN.
Halt cruzed rs he was, Rick was in no
condition to go back to the village inn,
and the rough crowd which would be
gathered there at that hour. But all of
drunken mans obstlnacy was aroused,
and while they stood thus, there came
again the roll of wheels TINT were
checked suddenly, and DR.. Lloyd sprung
down as he took III that scene at q
glance.
go into the house. Richard" he
commanded, and Rick, without q word.
obcyed. ON give him powder" SAID
tho doctor to Daisy. "You must sleep
yourself tonight. He stood talking
with her after he had seen Rick safely
Ill his room. $50 he has had the pistol
again. Well, don't think that need
alarm you; Rick isn't one to do himself
any harm. He has been sly enough
to hide it again, or I would take posses
sion Of it. He is never violent towards
you2"
ooh, no, never"
"Not quite brute enough for that"
muttered the doctor, as he took his leave.
and Daisy slept peacefully after her
trouble.
She did not really believe that II R,lph
meant what he said, but he seemed de-
termined after that to visit his displeas-
ure npon her. Miss Winter came back
from her walk next day with her hands
iull Of ferns.
$50 MIR. Armstrong isn't your engag-
ed lover after al2" she remarked to
Daisy. II would have been Hirtinp with
him before this If l hadn't supposed he
belonged to vou."
Thinnst Oh Miss Wintc-,.''77 '7-z' -
"He isn'ta tad hand ut tho pastin. 2,
himself, " remarked Miss Winter, coolly.
She understood the situation much bet
ter than she pretended, aud liked Ralph
none the less because he seemed on the
point of DESERVING his little white Daisy
Tor her.
Rick had avoided the lodgcr from the
first. It was revelation to Daisy when
she came upon him one day holding
crushed flower which Miss Winter had
worn. He had not been near the village
for days. Languid and spiritless he had
crept about the house or lain Ill the long
!, ,rass with q look on his lace which welt
to h,s sisters heart. She understood 1t
now as she Saw him lift the fallen flower
and just touch it with his lips.
Il have been mad enough for that,
Da'sy-to fall i'll love with her. And ii
hao not thrown away my OWL manhood,
j.
the bitterest thought of ALL"
It is not too late to be true to yourself
yet Rick"
She had little hope that this new
feeling might work some good in him,
but before the week was over, he hnd
broken bounds again, as if determined
to bury regret in oblivion.
Meanwhile the time camo for Miss
Winter to return to London, and She
sent Tor Ralph, who had promised to
drive her to the station. He cur.e with
his light carriage and mettled horse,
looking neither sorry nor cast down,
Daisy observed with throb of the
heart.
"Ho isn't false, then; hell come back
to me again when she is gone.
Rick had been ut tho village. He was
on his way home when, Mt some distance
away, he saw the carriage standing at
the parsonage gate. Ralph and Miss
Winter were just taking their places in
it, the minister stood on the steps, and
the curious face of maid looked down
from garret window. AS Ralph settled
down in his seat, his glance fell upon
that shamblipg figure by the roadslde.
and he gave vicious cut with his whip;
the spirited horse started with pluuge,
Il buckle snapped, and then the next in
staht the driver had lost all control over
him,
Rick had taken in tho scene which his
eyes rested on, and sudden stillness
went over him.
"They've been getting married." he
said to himself, aghast. "Bcen gotting
married, and he has cheated Daisy. But
he shan't get away so easy as that"
His brain was olouded with liquor;
some blind impulse Of rage and revenge
moved him, and his fingers olasped and
brought out the weapon which he some
times carried. They were close upon
HIM now; he lifted his hand and fired
ut the horse, there is every reason to be-
lieve, for there was q dangerous ON.
bankmcnt near, toward whion the run
away was heading, But ls missed his
mark. and the next Instant the steol-
shod hoofs were trampling him down.
A little further on and tho carriage
was wrecked. Ralph Armstrong was
picked up bruised and sense!ess; his
newly made bride was dead, q bullet in
her heart, and further back was bleed.
ing, pulpy mass beaten down in the
dust, that groaned when they touched
| it, but was beyond human aid.
The horror of that time was yeal
old when Ralph opened the rackoty
cate and made hig woy ooain tn tha old