The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-01-30

~ am not dog to lick the hand that
has struck me.
Marry you, and continue to he q
slave-a pensioner Oh your bounty?
'Neverw
Defiance rang through the girlish
voice, and without word or sign Will
liam Black, pale as death. turned away
and descended to the stables, and, in q
few moments the rocky road around the
cliff resounded with the pounding of his
herse's hoof- beats.
Cleo Lynn knelt before her picture
Offering up a fervent prayer to Heaven
to sanctify it, then stood o minute bid
ding the dear old loft, where she had
spent the few happy moments of her
life. goodbye, and ran across the back
garden barehendod. an unwonted bril-
lianoy Ill her eyes, flush on her pi-
quaint elfsh face, into the great, clear
odorouB, kitchen where Mrs. Black
awaited her, angrily, impatiently.
'"Inke these pals and be off with you,
you lacy, cqreless-"
"Madamp
1t was rot the tone nor the word that
made Mrs., Black jump with q slight
shrek, but the flash in the eyes that was
almost uluEderous. and so out through
the glaring scorching noon sunshine
Cleo LynlI went-for the last time.
~ am $50 tired of this struggle for
fame and h crust OF bread"
II Thought long ere this to wear q
crown of laurel, but, instead, it is one
OF tborns and cypress"
1t was b poor room.
1,nl> -
squulid houses, without warmth, cheer
comfort, though it was bitter weather.
"a woman's form with arms outflune.
the gesture OF despair, the same figure
last seen fitting across the hot drv
fields back OF Mrs. Blacks farmhouse,
though thinner, moro poorly clad.
Lifting her face at length against the
grey streak of twilight at her one win
dow, the once round cheeks were thin,
the hair dishevelled. and the eyes
strained and unnatural in expression.
destitute, frendless, almost blind. I"
Slipping her hand into her dress she
drew out vial OF darkish fluid, holding
it up between the light and dim, dim,
vision.
There came sound of steps up the
rllckety stair, then II rap, Arm, quick, at
her door,
''Come -
The door swung wide, and n man,
tall, muHed i'll great coat, entered,
and half crossed the bare floor.
Hislng, tie girl leaned hcr clasped
hands OH her chair waiting.
Miss Lee2"
She bowed her head the white hands
suddenly olutching the chair-back, 10y
cold.
II saw one of your paintings at the
Academy and wish to purchase it, the
one called the ''Cow Boy"
"What are your termss"
Ille girls voice rs she made answer
was 80 hoarse and unnatural that she
scarcely knew it herself.
"What you are willing to give" leah
ing forward little in the dim light,
with numb chill fingers intcrlaced.
while the tall naughty figure seemed
dancing wildly, undigniHedly.
'Three hundred dollars for the "Cow
Boy" or say six hundred dollars for
the two-"My Studio" as surprise
for my wife,
.'Ehe room, the bed, the chair, every
thing swan wildly before her eyes.
"Sir you are LIBERAL" was all she
could m,lrmur.
Counting out the roll of notes the
man handed them to her.
Then bowling and saying, rs he gave
her street number
Order them to be sent around to
my house," he withdrew, and. as the
door closed behind him, Cleo LYNN
iell forward prone on the floor with the
bunk notes clutched desperately in one
hand and shattered vial of dark fluid
in'the other ono.
''Oh, Viii, Will, and I loved you 80.
yet was too proud, too hateful to con-
fe1s it even to myself.'
'Oh, what madness has gOaded mo
on to my well earned misery@"
1t was II tastily dressed figure in
grey cloak and hat that stepped out of
the rambling old stage in the village OF
Glayson, passing swiftly toward the
dark ugly Black farmhouse.
The hall door was open that led INTO
the cool tidy parlor so we'll remembered.
anu entering, the stranger beheld O
mails figure bowed before table, his
head in his folded arms, while directly
above him hung q pretty rustic paint.
ing, her woIk, under which stood
glass OF fresh-cut flowers.
Passing softly up, the glrl laid hor
hand OH the bowed head tenderly.
timidly, Oh hair streaked with grey.
"Wiilr
Tho bowed head was lifted eagerly.
the black electric eyes seeming to
tighten as they rested on the fair face
before him.
"Llttle Cleor'
TYou-back here againp" and he
trembled as he spoke.
II have como back to the old home
to BEE you all once more"
II have won fame, and shall win
wehlth, for the money you gave me, in
the hour of my deepest despair, lifted
me- into prosperity,
owe it all to you."
L do not understand, be replied
drdamily.
II only know you are back again
when | never thought to see you here
mdte."
Cleo looked wistfully around as If to
SEQ expectant faces, as she asked
And your sister2"
fshe is dead, and am oil alone,
Geo"
tSeven years. Cleo-and and RACHEL