The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-05-15

ii'foTth. .
"I didn't took it, Miss. Sus'n-'deed
and deed, and double deed neber seed
it, nor know'd nothin' bout it'll And
Mrs. Lane don't b'leeve me, and I jest
wish I'D git drowned or somethin'l''
by degrees Susan learned the story
al adormment, a heavy, old-fashioned,
solid gold watch chain, and the equally
fine massive brooch, had disappeared
from the box in the bureau drawer,
where they had lain in their nest of cot
ton-except when worn on grand occas-
iOns--ever since Susie could remember.
~ hate like p'isin to charge her with
t, but there amt nobody else knowed
where mothers julery was 'cept her,n
Deacon Lane said regretlully.
"YOu'd better tell the hull truth,
child, and if your sorry, and won't do
anything so wicked again, why-we'll
say no more about it.
But Topsy was firm as adamant in her
vehement protestations.
81 don't believe she did take them,
| MOTHER" Susan said.
Because there is burglar in the
Ylllage-don't you remember, the night
OF Mary Morris's birthday party, how
| the silver spoons and some money were
stolen?"
''I hate to believe Topsy took 'em-I
| amt agoin' to mistrust her no more
Father shall put some extry bolts on
the doors, and III have Savage to sleep
in the front hall o'nights.
"Deary mel to think such plain folks
as us should be burglaredl''
And when the picnic rode by two hours
later, Susie, watching them from the
front room windows, made the discovery
that Jack Horton and his rig were not
of the party.
For, disappointed and-well, yes, too
jealous to be capable of enjoying the out
ing, Jack had concluded to run to town
Oh Il little matter of business that need
Ell attending to-, never imagining his
presiding destiny ruled and ever ruled
his going.
But the very first person he saw, as he
got off the train-car in the shabby up
| town street, was Mr. Fairfax Hamilton.
And, strange to relate, that elegant
gentleman went straight into Il pawn
brokers' shop.
Upon my wordl
"What business should such q fine
gentleman have in such place?
"By Jupiter, if Susie knew it ! And
will?"
So he quietly entered the shop, and,
with friendly venetian screen COM
pletely concealing, him, he deliberately
and with malice aforethought, listened.
"Only fiverl" he heard MI. Ham
iltOn exclaim.
"Why; man, they are worth twenty,
See for yolrself-they're such gold as you
don't come across nowadays.
"Ya-as, good-pooty good.
81 gif you thirty shillings.
"Where you git'em, hey?"
"From my mothers family-as if the
old things possessed any sentimental
value to me.
"Come now-be generous, be just.
Make it two sovereigns."
"'!Oh, Moses you would sphoil my
pisineSs in no time.
"You let me see dem sphoons- maybe
l gif you more.
"Ah,h Dot letter on 'em. ish NJ,
a-i-nt it2
eyes M-mv own initial. WhatM
you do, old sLinilnt2 There's the chain
and the pin, solid, and the silver-come,
what's your best?"
"Fifty shillings, and it will be de
ruin of my pisiness. Oh, Moses, who is
dish !"
1t was no wonder the pawnbroker's
voice suddenly changed to intense alarm
and amaZement, for two strong relent-
less hands fell heavily OH Mr.. Fairfax
Ilamilton's shoulder, and a savage voice
tilundered in his ear
$50 it was you, was it, who stole Mrs,
Lanes jewelry, and Mrs. MOrris' silver
spoons2 Thief, villain, impostori YOU'RE
caught in your own trap at last, though.
Officer, arrest himl''
And the owner of the other cruelty
heavy hand, the police officer whom Jack
had silently signallcd as he passed the
shop, the same minute Jack had caught
Il glimpse Of the chain and pin he had
known all his life, snapped Tho bracelets
Oh the elegant Mr. Hamituns wrists,
and led him away to the poiice station.
While, hispersonal business to the city
wholly and entirely forgotten, Jack made
bee-line back to Farmingdale, armed
with the missing valuables.
-" You must not cry and grieve 80,
Susie" Jack coaxed tenderly.
The rascal isn't worth one of those
tears from your dear blue eyes. Don't
waste 'em on him, Susie, don'tI
It isn't for him. Susie sobbed pit
eously. He may 60 to prison for all I
| Aoi '1hi3 liftSC DCcll t"-
fully cross and cruel to you, Jack, and I
don't dare say l will be engaged to you'll
L am not half good-goOd- 70
And her sobs were SO pitiful and num-
BILE and repentant, that somehow Just
| the very thing to do seemed for Jack to
gather her up III his strong, loving arms.
q" I'm the best Judge Of that, grille!
! You will make me the proudest, happiest
man il the world if you will only say
yes, darling. Say it, won't you, Susiepn
lie lifted the sweet, flushed, tear-stain-
ed face to his, and waited just little
second; and then faint sound came to
his ears that thrilled him from head to
foot.
And then he kissed her until she laugh
ed and begged for mercy
At ten O'Clock it all happened, and at
three, Jacks wagonette stood at the
farmhouse door, waiting for Susie, in
her pretty white suit, to come down and
60 to the picnic.
And at five o'clock, there wasn't a
daintier, happier girl at Fawn Woods
than she, nor q prouder, happier fellow
than handsome Jack Horton.