The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-12-22
IN HARVEST-TIhIE.

oliSleIeu,, WlCi'lu. was dollghtful cool
ness and tgreenish bloom. But with
inswas also the silence which follows
a shock, and the shattering of staunch-
ly.builded hopes.
IN the great, library two, men faced
each. other, one bent, gray-headed,
small of stature, the older tall, and
strong as a young gladiator, with a
handsome. olive skinned face, just
now very set and grave.
my dear boy, it has been no easy
task for me to come and tell you this, y
Mr.. Roche said, speaking slowly.
"You have all your life been consid-
cred, and have been taught to con-
slider yourself, master Of Silver Cliff.
lt IS hard now, when for two years
you have reigned as such, to be ab-
ruptly deposed. No one ever dream
ed that Nicholas Edgerton had left a
daughter. Indeed the fact has been
discovered by the merest accident.
Ihe% proofs are, however, flawless.
They have been thoroughly investiga-
ted and authenticated. You are cou-
sins, you know, three times removed.
Of course you would never have sue
ceeded to the estate had there been the
least suspicion Of her existence
a. lie paused to take out his handker-
chief and wiped his forehead. He had
been the Edgerton's lawyer for many
years, and, as he said, it came hard on
him to be the bearer of ill news to the
boy he had loved from babyhood.
w hen is she coming-homo?'
Maurice Edgerton asked. quietly, but
choking little over the last word.
Naturally, this sudden information
was blow to him. To be dashed from
wealth to absolute pennilessncss, with
out a profession or the priceless expe.
rience OF those who have learned what
the bare struggle for existance implies,
was, in truth, appalling, I.
II am not positive" Mr.. Roche re-
piled. lit will certainly be some day
next week. In regard to worldly
matters she must be quite a child.
having never in her life been without
the walls of that old Belgian con-
vent" g
!, Next week2" starting slightly,
'"Ehat seems-so soon.''
, And then he excused himself and
went away.
August blushed to joyous being; and
With Its pomp Of birds and flowers, and
tender dawns and rare white nights,
the new heiress came to Silver Cliff.
Mr.. Roche met her at the depot and
quite forgot to dislike her, as She had
resolved to do.
She stepped out on 4he platform and
looked around her bewilderedlY, a. slen-
der girl, gray-clad from head to foot.
And how pretty she was, to-be surel
Stately and a tall lilly, with a fair, pearl
skined face, lit by brown eyes, clear and
gracious. ...@
On the homeward drive she turned to
Mr.. Roche.
''Where Is Mauricep" she asked.
HE has gone away. do not know
where"
He spoke shortly, his lips tightening,
remembering why lie had gone away.
"Gone away" she cried. "Not for
goodp" .,..... ....'t .O,, -.
He's gone, anyhow" he answered,
sturdily. More like for bad" :
She did not heed the grin, joke.
lit Is not fair, Or right, OF justI'' she
went on, excitedly, her pale cheek flush
Ing hotly. HE cannot surely think
that mean to accept all; to rob him of
what for years he has looked on as hisl
| have never expected good fortune, 50
for me little>will suffice. The rest l.
shall hold IN trust for him. /
my dear young lady," the old man
exclaimed, testify, but touched in spite
Of himself, what Quixotic schemel
Maurice would never agree to that
which you propose. The property is
legally yours"
"Yes, legally" she admitted. quick
ly, "but not morally. l hold my slen.
der claim secondary to his"
il The dayswent swiftly blythe sweet
scented summer days.
All the people Of note in the neigh
borheod Of Silver Cliff called on its
young mistress, and voted her charming.
she VAS Eps tair and graceful, and
withal 80 charmingly original, they
sad. They gave balls and dinners in
her honor. till she became quite toast
to asbelle. 4
September came and passed-Octo-
Der, November, and at last the dreary
December.
But this year there were no blithe
Christmas festivities up at the grand
house ON the Hill.
II hardly care to have much merry
making while the master of the house
Is away Rose Edgerton would say to
her friends.
you expect your cousin back soon
thenr" they would question.