The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-11-22
wards her and knew what they were

IAlIlhluS. buC---
She was over it little, Renle Endi-
colt had thought; she had run the Or
deal brayely, was all she could congrat-
ulate herself, that hour it was over.
And to one thing quickly she made up
her mind. She could not-she would not
look moro on the man she loved in
his first flush Of happiness with anoth-
or. She must, she would 60 away.
II need change; I will go to Bon
ton for the winter" So, quietly, the
next morning, she said 80 to Aunt Endi-
cott and Jacques, and two days later
she was on her way to the little western
town which in past time, she called her
home.
1t was Il long journey; she always
dreaded it. and this time it seemed as
though it never would reach its end.
She turned surprised as one in the car
remarked that they were travelling at a
brealneck, dangerous rate OF speed.
For her the train logged on ali too
slowly, whatever it's rate might be,
She was so forlorn, SO lone amid all this
chatting crowd of people; she had not
even that absurd fancy which other
times had borne her company. She
had
!. Only ghost, she thought.
1t was a relief when a man entered at
a station and took the seat beside her.
1t seemed not quite so drear, 50 lone,
though through the stilllong Journey he
never once looked at her, nor Youchsaf-
ed a word. She had dreaded most he
would, yet she could but wonder he
did not; she could not forbear an oc-
casional fieeting glance Of curiosity into
his grave but handsome face.
1t grew u fascination: it grew-a
terror. For the thought suddenly
seized her it was all a fancy-that the
man beside her was simply vision her
imagination had conjured up. A fresh
thought flashed she could not endure;
quite beyond herself, she stretched. out
her hand to touch and know what this
strange thing might be.
"Only a ghost-her ghost2"
The cry was on her lips, almost the
words were pouring out, when sudden
ly-a crash, one dreadful little moment
Of shock, OF horror, and she found her.
self sitting amid a mass Of debris close
at the waters edge. She was too stun
ned, too daZed TO remember what had
happened. Lacking the consciousness
that she was unframed, and impulse to
extricate herself, she sat duly listening
to the cries and groans around her,
most fancying it dream.
Suddenly, looking downward, she
saw the face of the man who had sat
beside her Ill the car-upturned, white,
motionless, at her feet. The eyes were
closed, little stream Of blood trickled
down from the forehead; he was surely
dead, she thought, as the dreadful fact
Of the accident came back to her; but
quickly she bent and stanched the now
as best she could, dipping her hand in
the near, blessed waters, and bathing
the llfelesS face.
Might it be that he should live! So
She queried, looking with an all absorb.
ing interest and anxiety down at him,
with II strange growing feeling of right
and kinship she never thought to ques-
ton. A cry Of Joy burst from her lips
when, at last, the lids trembled, and
the dark eyes opened slowly.
Just he looked at her, and then a
smile broke on his face. 1t was a
smile men had not seen on that face fol
years.
Dear" he said, family. .''is it you
after all this time? l am glad-so
glad.''
lie groped weakly for her hand, and,
all naturally, she gave it to him. A
pang thrilled her as suddenly he drop.
ped it, with fading smile and another
look in his face. But it was kindly
still.
81 thank you," he spoke again; "you
are, very kind-'
The voices Of helpers interrupted.
AS ii Dy impulse, iio stroYo fol ii card
III his pocket and handed it TO her.
She simply glanced at it, and
Her hand dropped; she fell backward
in a swoon.
"John Renniman."
That was the name upon the card.
" X u
1t was days ere Kenie Endicott was
herself again. Uninjured save a few
trihing bruises, she was able to travel
the little distance to Benton by herself;
but, with the reaction, fever and deli:
rum set in and waged q brief but
mighty war against her.
Her first clear thought was to the
strange event of that last moment, and
it absorbed her through the days. AT
times 1t seemed all a dream, a wild
fancy born of the excitement of the
! moment and the white face she looked
upon. Again and each time surer, ii
was u simple, rational fact; this was
only another John Renniman whom
she had CHANGED to meet.
She stroye to forget it quite, 80 sure
the latter grew, and somehow 80 much
pleasanter seemed her weird. But she
could not; each day 1t filed her mind
the fuller, each day she saw moro clear
! ly the rare, fond smile, more distinctly
heard the mysterious, tender words this
John Renniman had spoke to her. She
| was lost in it still the day this little
note was brought to her:
inlay have the pleasure Of seeing
and thanking you again for your kind
ness ut Raven Forks?
"JoHN RENNIAAN."
The gentleman was below, The scr.
want said. She went down confusedly
with just the clear thought that She
was glad. Glad for whatP That h,
had recovered from his injuries, she
quietly said to him. But as the dark
eyes smiled down OH her, and tho deep
rich voice responded, the realization
flashed that, though she had forever
lost her weird, though this was but {
new John Renniman, she was glad fol
! something elaa.