The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-04-24
AT LAST.

AT LAST.
DON'T you know me 20 said Marths
Minkley.
The Rev. Paul Blossom was digging
up bed for late peas, under the pink
clouds of the apple-boughs, with hi,
straw hat tilted OH the top of his head
his linen coat tluttering in the wind
and his brow beaded with prespiration
One little Blossom was following al
his heels with toy rake, smoothing
down the Jumps of fragrant earth
second was building houses with oyster.
shells, in the angle of the garden wall
While two others were engaged in the
wholesale manufacture of mud-pies, at
the Kitchen door-step-all four dirty.
happy and demoralised.
MIR. Blossom looked hard at the trim
figure, with it's neat, cheap hat, black
and white checked plaid shawl and
hounced alpaca dress.
He was little near-sighted, a little
absent-minded, and yet-surely this
sweet-voiced, cherry-cheeked woman
was none OF the sisters of his flock.
NO" said Mr.. Blossoms; 'I can't
say that do.''
Miss Minkley smiled and colored a
little y
'"Try and think back,' said she. eto
the days Of the Wesleyan Seminary. on
Rose River, where we recited Roman
history in the same class, and old DR..
Dodge heard us in rhetoric and English
literature-old DR.. Dodge, who wore
green spectacles and talked through his
nose |"
hlr. BLOSSOM dropped his spade.
IT'S Matty Minkley," said he.
But, dear me, how you've changedln
u haven't grown any younger, I
don't suppose, said Martha, biting her
lip. ''But that's q complaint that is
common to us all, Mr.. Blossom :"
Eyes, l knOw-I know ~ admitted
Paul, turning red to the very roots of
his hair as he realized what an awk-
ward mistake he had made.
>'Time doesn't spare any of us.''
And then feeling that he had not
bettered matters, he made haste to ask
And how came you in Toppleton
village ?"
"My Cousins husband, Hiram Dodd,
keeps the hotel" said Martha.
"l've come to see about situation
as housekeeper for gentleman that
Mr.. Dodd knows for Pm not above
earning my own living, MI. Blossom. :"
t|ho CpohC " lClA q slC(1C luluCSS Ill llSI
throat, for she had somehow cherished
Paul Blossoms memory kindly since
those boy and and girl days, and now
he had never even asked her to Come
in !"
"He might have introduced me to
his wife, at least" said Miss Minkley
to herself, as she walked swiftly and
lightly along the green path.
'"That wouldn't have been too much
for old acquaintance sake.
but II he chooses to forget old times,
can only follow his example.
81 wouldn't have thought it of him,
though"
And the waving pillows of the dis
tant apple-orchard swan in the disks Of
two big tears, which momentarily OBJ
scured Miss Minkley's bright black
eyes.
And Mr.. Blossom mechanically dug
the pea-bed up, planted the "wrinlSled
marrOwfats," and went into the house,
where his sister, q middle-aged spinster
OF Il care-wOrn aspect and very uncer-
tain temper, was engaged in single COM
bat with the children.
81 declare, Paul, "she croaked, catch
ing sight Of her brother, ssthem chill
dfen are enough to try the patience of
Job.
''All washed clean this morning, and
mended and darned-and now look at
'om Why, a gypsy gang couldn't be
more discreditable in their appearance. "
Mr.. Blossom looked feebly at the
chubby, rosy, dirty flock.
'It never used to be so when Mary
was alive" said he.
"Well, and that's just what I am
SAYING" said Miss Blossom tartly
"and what l say every day in the week
YOU ought to marry again"
Yes" said Mr.. Blossom, with a
sigh, 81 suppose I ought" .
And by some curious link Of ideas
he thought of Martha Minkley, stand
ing out there among the apple-blossoms,
with the delicate pink color on her
cheeks and the old Sognish. sparkle in
her black eyes.
Certainly you ought" said Miss
Blossom, thinking Of Hester Hender.
son, the village dress maker, who had
money i'll the bank, which ought fairly
to compensate for her Gorgon-lke severi
ture age and ripened Judgment
"Of course, of course" said the Re
verend Paul.
"Who would beht her position as
clergyman's wife, and keep your house
for You In model manner, as it should
be kept" went on Miss Blossom, "ant
govern your children with discretion
and mildness."
Yes, to be sure," said Mr.. Blossom
"Ihelieve l know the very person t.
realize all these IDEALS"
g., 80 do l." said Miss Blossom oracu
lariy. And not a hundred miles away
either.n
I'm this very Village" said Paul.
EXACTLY" nodded his delighted sis
ut Is certainly my duty" said MI