The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-06-05
A FATAL MISTAKE.


Marian FeIlowcS tossed her head in q
pretty little way she had, and curle,l
her red lip in a manner intended to
convey her utmost indifference, if not
actual contempt.
"No, do not think shall p
81 don't care very much for plcnics,
anyhow"
Sybil Conyers, a tall, stately girl,
with grave, straightforward dark eyes,
looked wonderingly ut her.
81 thought you always cared very
much for picnics, Marian.''
81 am sure you always seemed to
enjoy YOURSELF"
''Do gO-it'S such lovely day."
"And Tom Lester will be there, too,
Marian," and dimple-cheeked little
Amy Proctor looked saucily over the
fence at Maran's now slowly flushing
cheeks.
"Tom I.estern'
"AS if l care Il straw where he goes,
or whether he goes at all or nOt.n
She flashed the words out angriy,
yet with certain coquettish suggestive
liess III her tone that made Sybil laugh.
"Of course, we forget that Il re-
markable gOOd-lOoking gentleman is
boarding with your mother, Marian.
"'The foreman of the w0rkmen who
are doing repairs and alterations up at
the Grange, isn't he?'
"ForenE,nr'
"Sybil, you're too bad.'
"Mr. Alter is no more Il foreman, or
anything Of that sort than you are''--
She hestated, spiiling and frowning,
and flushed mysteriously.
"Why, yes he is,'' retorted Amy
vigorously, "fOr / saw him with my
own eyes directing the workmen at the
Erunge.'
Marian nodded her head slowly sevc-
ral times. q
THAT is true"
"Nlr. Alter does direct the wOrkmen,
in the capacity Of superintendent, when
really he is the owner and master of
the Grange himself-Mr. Clifton"
a little duet of eXclamatiOns greeted
her astonishing revelation.
"Manma made the discovery" Mar
ian went on, in suppressed, excited
tones, "and you mustn't whisper it for
the world; for he would be so veXed if
he thought it was known; but mamma
discovered, very accidentally, that Mr..
Clifton preferred to oversee his own
renovation, incog., and so he came
here rs Mr.. Alter. "Isn't it charming-
ly romantic?"
GLOW did she find it out, Marian?"
Amy asked i'll awe-Stricken tones.
by his linen, for one thing, every
piece Of which is marked in full, +.
Clifton, and by other little Incidents"
Sybil looked gravely at Marian's
pretty, flushed face.
"And you have quarrelled with Tom
Lester because you have another all
mirer who is worth more in houses and
landS?''
81 broke our engagement because I'd
rather be mistress Of the Grange than Il
farmers wife, any day."
cts too bad" Amy flashed out.
"Tom Lester is worth dozen of
your high-toned aristocrats like Mr..
Clifton"
Marian smiled sneeringly.
"Of course, If you think so. Perhaps
you can console him, Amy"
IL will if l can," was Amy's ready
answer.
"Come Syhil, if Marian's not going,
let us be off ourselves"
"WOnt you reconsider your deci-
sionp" Sybil asked pleasantly as they
made ready to start.
But Marian bowed in quccnly way
she had affected Of late.
"Thanks, no, really don't care to
go, and besides, l am engaged for a
drive this afternoon with MI. Alter"
cts shameful in Marian," Amy ex-
claimed, when they were out Of ear
shot.
'Well, she always was ambitious"
And nothing more was said about her
NJ a. 1nfn 7 81
strolled up to Amy, sitting on the grass
weaving wreaths.
$50 Miss Fellowcs isn't here to-day2"
he remarked casually, as he threw him
self beside her--a tall, stalwart young
fellow, with bright, honsst blue eyes
and bonny face, that had made many
u girl-Amy includcd-not little jcal-
Ous of Marian FellOwes in the days
before Mr.. Alter came.
Amy went on weat & indllstriOusly.
''NO; she couldn't come in cOnSe
quence of a previous engagement.
81 suppose you miss her dreadfully?"
said Amy.
mot ut ALL"
"a month ago I should have missed
her, but to-day would not turn my
hand over to bring her here-nOr any
other girl who had Tilted an honest man
because lie could not compete with all
other with more money"
There was 4 healthy contempt in his
voice that made Amy feel that Marian
Fellowes had been detlr0ned most Of
fcctllally in this mans heart.
She swept him Il charming, sympa-
thetic glance from her pretty grey eyes.
81 think you are q very sensible man
not to make yourself miserable because
one girl out of all the world proved
herself unworthy Of your trust"
She spoke lightly, but somehow it