The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-10-04

whether he's handsome or homely.
"l'm going to be all old maid," re.
turned Elsie, buttering a roll.
"Well, Pm not, if 1 can catch Archie
Lowell" averrcd Miss Bell, slipping her
chocolate.
Mr.. Lowell was dropped, Just then;
but Elsie, two or three times that day,
wondered if he were really so very
handsome, or 80 rich, or if she would
ever see him.
Elsie, herself, was a pleasant thing
to see, If she was not a beauty, az she
stood upon the platform ut the station,
ready for her journey. Her face was
SO bright and sweet, and her manner so
wlnsome that no one would fail to turn
for second look.
The Carl iages were well filled, and
the only vacant seat was very near the
hot stove. Here Elsie bestowed her.
self and her belongings, and began to
glance about at her rneighborS. a fine
looking fellow, and a poOrly-dressnd
little girl just in front of her, attracted
her most.
The gift of Il golden orange from hor
lunch-baSlict won the little ones favor
and Elsie was soon chatting merrily
with her, and had learned that she was
on her way to live with her grandpa,
because her mamma was too poor to
keep them all in the city. After a
While the heat grew OverpOwcring, and
Elsie tried to raise her window; but it
was fast. She tugged hard with her
soft fingers-soft and white in spite of
her kitchen work-tll in vain, until II
Dlack-SleeVcd ann was reached over
hers, and a pleasant voice said, ALLOW
me, please. My hands are stronger
tlan yours"
Elsie looked up, and met the gaze of a
line pair Of dark eyes, belonging to her
neighbor.
The window was quickly raised, and
Elslo thanked him, as the welcome air
rushed in. They chatted Il little now,
polltely, as travellers may do, and Elsie
decided that he was very pleasant for
a passing acquaintance.
Before long the girl in The next seat
fell asleep, her little curly head bump
ing about uneasily. In Il twinkling
Elsie had unstrappcd her shawl, and,
rising, slipped it under the small brown
head.
els she travelling under your care?"
asked the stranger.
"Oh, no! l never saw her before.
''BuC she is so little to be all alone,
and her head did bump so!
"She can rest easier now.'
The stranger said no more, and as
Elsie was busy folding up her shawl
straps, she did not see the glance of
earnest admiration which he gave her,
nor know that the outspoken thought
OF his heart would have been.-
You good, kind~hearted little girl"
When they stopped for refreshment,
the stranger nelped ElsIe out and es.
corted her to the room. AS they were
leaving their seats, he said to her
''Suppose we take your little friend
here, too?"
ooh, yeS!" ;ssented Elsie, flashing
him blight glance of approval.
So they took the little thing, and
brought her back warmed and fed, to
resume her journey. And 1t was pity
some good angel could not have whisp-
cred to the anxious mother, who, in
the distant city, feared for her child's
lonely journey, what kind Of hands the
little one had fallen into.
On ratified the train, until, about the
middle OF the afternoon, there WAS a
heavy jar, Kissing, crashing noise,
and the train, il perfect wreck, lay over
an embankment, with its living freight.
at first Elsie was SO stunned and start
led SIZE was conscious of nothing, heard
nothing except means and cries mingled
with the jingle Of shattered glass and
the sound OF escaping steam. Then her
senses seemed to return, and she was
trying to raise herself to her feet, when
strong arms lifted her, and the voice
OF her stranger fricLd said:
"Steady, now! think | can got you
out safely. Are you hurt?"
mo; think not. l don't feel any
injury"
"Arep-ohlyou arcl" as, looking up,
she saw that his forehead was bleed
ing.
"Oh, that is nothingl a mere scratch
with bit Of broken glass;" he said,
smiling at her horritied tone.
81 hope it will prove So" answered
little Elsie.
"Ohl-our poor little girl! Where is
shc2"
81 don't know.
s'Thank you for remembering her.
We will find her."
PUT Inc down, please | can walk
now.
LET me help you," pleaded Elsie.
AAc OpcJCl Hcl, allu Clloy lOtlll Viz
little creature lying upona broken scat,
moaning with pain. The stranger car
ried her out, and laid hor upon Il spot
Of dry grass, and after slight exami-
nation, told Elsie that her arm was
broken, and one side bruised. There
Glanced to be two or three physicians
in the ill"fated train, and they gave
their best. skill to the wounded, our
little girl among the rest. Elsie held
her in her lap while the little arm was
set and bandaged, and then laid her on
the hastily-prepared bed in the station,
near which the accident had happened
and watched over her, assisted by the
strange gentleman, who seemed now
like an old acquaintance. When tho
train which was to carry them on ar
rived, Elsie said:
~ shall not leave this littlo thing un-
| til she Is with her grandfather. She
has told mo where she was going. 1t Is
a little off my route, but / am going
| with her.'
$50 am ]" added the stranger, with
his pleasant smile. Humanity allows
me to do as much as you can, in spite Of
i conventional rules. II appoint myself
! tO tokp cara Of hoth nf yo, and yo,,