The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-07-14

very likely the young gentleman was
prepared.
"IIe has very noble-lookin' counte-
nance.
"1Icavcn help his mother, if he has
one," finished jimmy, with a sigh, for
she had lost her only son, and she a
widow, not many years before.
Jimmy hung up the broom and turned
her sleeves down over her hard worked
hands.
''Now the question is, who is going
to sit up tonight, for his folks can't be
got here till morning.
"Diek's gone over to Lowbrdgc TO
carry the news.
'"The hands are all tuckered out with
the extra work, this powerful hot wea-
thor, your grandfather'S done-up with
the cNcitement-an' well he may be at
eighty years old-an' Pm too old to
lose my sleep.
"There's nobody but you, an you
are--n
81 will sit up, jimmy.
II am not afraid"
''NOt afraid"
No, she was not.
That she should ever sleep again
seemed impossible to her, and she was
averSe to attempting it.
1t would be torture to lie, painfully
wide awake, upon her pillow, and she
did not need rest.
Her Srandfather's room and Jinny's
were upon either side OF the chamber
where Doctor Richmond lay, and in
deed there was nothing that was aught
put prepossessing in that quiet face.
,,-1,n l.: - ,l>,
heard the men whisper among them
selves, as some one remarked the COM
posure of the dead man y countenance.
1t was al unusual circumstance,
truly, but 80 it was that this young
girl sat up all night in the death-cha NJ
Der.
ALI the doors were opened upon that
floor on account of the heat. and "Chat
Phebe might not feel lonely" as jimmy
said.
The chamber WAS large and cool, with
lights and flowers.
The scent Of the pinks apd lavender
was peculiarly refreshing to Phebe, and
she thought would assist her to keep
awake, il at last she felt inclined to
sleep.
The great hou Sc-dog, Nero, came
stalking up from his station upon the
door-mat III the hall and laid down at
her feet, as she sat by the little stand
between the windows trying to read.
She could not read very we'll, for she
found that her head 'ached, and at last
laid the book down.
AT the opposite side Of the chamber
the dead man lay upon the bed.
There was nothing awful in his ap-
pearance, nor was he shrouded in the
white OF death.
Ills face, with its calmly-closed eyes,
was turned little towards the wall,
but Phebe could mark the pale perfec-
ton of the profile.
At twelve o'clock her grandfather
called her to bring him some wator.
She went, filled the glass, turned his
hot pillow, for he complained of not
feeling well, and returned to his post.
One-twOl
How slowly the hours went.
Her head continued to ache.
She went to the basin, Dathed her
temples in cold water, and began to
gently walk the floor, for at last she
felt the Eeaviness OF sleep 0pprGss her,
She stopped at last at the bedside,
and bending a moment over the still
face, wondered at death so like happy
sleep, and involuntarily, with a Thought
she hardly realized, put hor hand upon
the pale brow.
No icy touch shocked her.
"The heat Of the weather prevented
that dreadful chill, l suppose" said
Phebe.
"What soft, beautiful hair about his
tcmplcsl
II hope shall look like that when l
am deadl"
And thon she went away with sigh,
and sat down wearily again by the
little table, where the book and flowers
were.
The chair was quaint, high-backed
one, and as Phebu rested nor head
against it's faded embroidery and turned
her face to the open window, from
whence seemed to come the fresh air
OF dawn, a spell she could not resist
seized her.
Phcbe fell asleep.
After long, silent hour or more she
woke with start
She sprang to her feet, and we'll she
might stand petritied, with her gaze
upon the bed, for the face upon the
pillow was in profile no longer, but
turned full upon her, with wide, brown
eyes,.
my little guardian angel, don't be
frightened.
II am only better"