The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-02-06


Years Day persistently brought p
II really believe will accept your
charming invitation, Dell.
eyes, I will go, and thank you a
thousand times, only l. never can repay
you."
Dell gave her hand loving little
squeeze.
"You are darling r.
"Grandpa is to meet the seven-t thirty
train with the big sleigh, and we'll have
five mile ride TO begin with.
ooh, we'll ENJOY ourselves immensely,
Isabel
"And don't you over say another
word about paying anybody back.
"lt's an honor you pay me, Isabel. "
New Years Day, clear and sparkling,
and frosty and exhilarant, and the Amber
farmhouse. warm, and sunshiny, and
low. ceiled, and odorous with the plenti-
full preparation progressing for the
marvellous dinner.
And grandma Amber. portly, happy,
merry as girl, big apron tied around
her comfortable waist and her spectacles
Oh the top of her thick grey hair, the
very ideal of the hostess while grandpa
Amber hale, hearty. and jolly, was like
a grown up boy, all that lovely day,
when Dell and Isabel thoroughly en-
joyed every single moment.
AS, Isabel had thought, there was
almost absolute surceaso from stinging
memory, amid the delightful novelties
nll around her, and only atrare intervals
did she find herself allowing thoughts OF
tho one above all others to creep in.
cit has been grand, good day, so
far" Dell declared with q happy sigh,
ut three o'clock of the bright, cold
afternoon !; "the best is to come yet.
"What do you think, ,DIademoistlle
Isabel?
1.-THE big folks oyer at the big house
otherwise the st. Clements, of the
Hollies-have inyited you and me over
to dinner. and to assist the young ladies'
in receiving.
"lmagine us.
"Two of Macy's sales ladies receiving
New Year calls.
"I don't know what to do.
"Do you ?"
A cruel little pang smote Isabel, but
she represscd all sign OF it.
"We can be rs agreeable rs we know
how 1 imagine that is tho secret of all
true entertainment.
"But our dresses, Dell.
I'D, you really want to go?"
"Do really want to go2
"Well, I should say SO.
'It's just too lovely for anything.
"Nlr. st. Clements driving oyer to
ask lis, with Miss st. Clements and
Miss Mabel's compliments.
"But dear-our dresses" began
Isabel, looking deprecatingly at her
well-worn black cashmere.
'"They won't expect us to be dressed
stylishly or expensively.
"a bit OF bright ribbon and Iace-the
ribbon off our hats, Isabel, and I know
where grandma has some lace."
But Isabel was hard to be persuaded.
81 would 80 much rather stay here
and talk to grandma, while you go to
the Hollies, Dell.
"Let grandpa drive you over, dear.
I won't mind your going in the least."
But Dell was obstinate.
Unless Isabel went she would not 20,
and when Isabel saw the disoppoint-
ment Dell would not express, she re-
Ionted, with n desperate little curb on
her own inclination and consented nor
did she permit Dell to gain the slightest
idea Of tho cruel stab it was to her to 90
to tho splendid house, where everything
reminded her so painfully of the very
thing she had como away out hore to
escape.
Mrs. st. Clements was the very i'm
personation of refined womanliness and
erect graciousness, and she instantly
recognized tho nobility of Isabel jeffrey
as she saw her pure sweet facc-her
grave, sad. yet interested attention ; her
quiet reserve and ease of manner, while
tho young ladies were friendly and
social, as only the real oristocrat can be.
"Our friends are nearly all to come
from tho city, "Mabel explained, when
they were all soated in the parlor.
ga few of thom have been and gone,
but the majority of those we expect are
yet to come.
"And the first arrival, grandma" she
added, with little laugh, as slci gh
load Of gentlemen dashed up to the
door.
"And the very first ono to enter the
room was Jack Meryino-handsom OLE
giant rs ever, and tho first persoe he saw
wos Isabel Jeffrey.
For one little awful second she
thought she should faint or dio, because
Of that sensation that overwhelmed her.
He saw she inclined her head coldly
as n duchess might have done.
"Mr. MerYinc."
But her repolling tono, proud as icy,
did not freeze him.
Utterly ignoring Mrs. st. Clements,
who really was busy with tho other
gentlemen and Miss st. Clements, he
went staigkt up to her.
"Isabel. whore have Won been Q"