The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-12-25

answered sadly, ''but the property is all
In her own name, and she has never
offered me any Of it. Can't you see,
Bess, darling, that would rather die
than ask for itp"
Bess looked at him with troubled
eyes.
"What shall do?" she asked herself.
"Can I sit here and see him su fer for
the very necessities Of life?"
Just at that time came a letter to her
a letter from city friend who had
spent summer in Blooming Vale.
s'Darling Bess." wrote Mrs. Germyn,
Don't be amazed at what 1 am going
to ask you. But am to have Christ
mas party for my little girls--and do
so long for some Of those cream candies,
and sugared nuts, delicious chocolate
caramels that you used to make when
we boarded with your aunt at Blooming
Vale. l enclose q ten dollar bill.
Please send the goodies by express,
just as soon as you can possibly make
them, and oblige everlastingly.
Your friend.
LAURA"
The Joyful tears came into Bess Nor
watts yes as she sat looking at the
crisp bill neatly folded into the letter.
it was not only ten dollars greenback
1T represented health and ease for
Joshua 1T seemed to open to her the
gates Of escape from all the petty
tortures Of this poverty stricken life. -
"Why have 1 never thought of it
before2" she questioned herself.
She made haste to prepare the
caramels, the dainty cream bars, the
Walnuts enclosed in crystal garment Of
translucent sweetness, and with them
she enclosed the letter, begging Mrs.
Dare to open an agency for her with one
Of the prominent confectioners of New
York. And then she ordereded O barrel
of sugar, all manner Of dainties and
tiavors, and went up to the garret and
cracked all the butter nuts and hickory
nuts which were left from the last
autumn's store.
ITO be sure, it is only an experiment, :"
she thought. ''But I hope-I bel.evo.-
1t may succeed. The doctor says that
Joshua will not be strong enough to go
out doors until spring. Our expenses
are continually draining us, and there il,
nothing coming in. On, it must sue
ceedl''
cit did succeed. Mrs. Morwatt's
delicate home confections, in .'retty
hand painted boxes tied witt colored
ibbons, became the fashr>n. Every
body asked for them-eyAybody bought
them.
Bess was Obliged to hire assistants
and transfer Aer working quarters to
the old u~dsed wing OF the house.
Money aame in with promptness and
steoIy flow which seemed to the young
wife almost Golconda. There was no
lack of good refreshing fruit, and
strengthening food for the invalid.
The farmhouse was new, needful
was ordered for farm
new furniture came in, and
Bess even INDUCED in the-to her un-
heard of-luxury Of black silk dress.
'Bess, you're good fairy" said
joshua cxultantly, "a regular enchan-
tressl''
But one day b IS came in with a
sober face.
WHATS tho matter?" asked Joshua.
Has our new bank failed? Is the
maple candy scorched? Or has the
kitten tumbled into the kettle Of boil
ng chocolate?"
"Oh, Joshua, don't JEST" said Bess.
ITS your motherl She has invested
in the new rsilroad that was
% be cut Through Walton's Pass-and
ts a failure. A gigantic swindle. The
stockholders are men of straw. the
PRESIDENT has gone to Japan, and all
who invested in the concern are ruined
,otallyl"
Joshua grew pale. "What are we to
1o?" said he.
"There is but ono thing to do" Bess
1--WE must go to her. We
must bring her here. Our home must
lenceforth be her home."
"Bess," cried Joshua, in a husky
voice, "you are al angel"
"she is your mother, JOSHUA" said
Bess, gently, land being yours she is
nine."
Mrs. Morwatt half stunned by the
of the blow which had
:obbed her Of her all, scarcely knew,
where she was when she found hersel t
sitting in big armchair by tho fire in
,he farmhouse parlor, with her hand in
)oshua's, while Bess tenderly removed
her bonnet and shawl.
but have no right to be here" she
'aid, piteously. 81 refused to recognize
'our wife--I have withheld from Won
'our birthright, and squandered it
sway. Why don't you take mo whore
'elong--to the poorhousep"
Mother, don't talk So" pleaded
Joshua. ''Here's where you belong
low and hencsforwardI Here, by our
you are my mother now,n softly
whispered Bess, and the touch Of her
oft lips on the old woman's withered d
meek loosened the floodgate Of her tears