The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-12-22

I'VE DO not know what day he may
come home" was her invariable re-
joinder.
But the winter was gathered to the
numDerless winters which had gone
before spring swept on with chill, and
rain, and breaking buds, and still to one
Woman's gentle heart, 80 generous in
It's patience, came no word or tiding Of
the exile. -
Over the mantal in the library a
great portrait Of him hung. Occa-
sionably she went and stood before it.,
looking up at the grave, kind face with
the soulful eyes and firmly sweet mouth
linen she would turn and 60 half-guilty
away.
Summer clasped hands with, autumn.
Wef$ Vee rs&pf in SS rsoa$ Sp s5 svSE aa$Easf @
tie had coms on Brlght M sYi; biade5 Itassi ia5hed
as swung by strong arms the scythes
moved down the sunny seas of grain.
One, day Miss Edgerton, driving down
the country TOAD, feined in her milk
white ponies, and leaned forward to
watch the reapers.
The day was excessively warm. but
she was attirei in the coolest and air.
lest OF India lawns, and held above her
head parasol of snowy satin. ~
Quite suddenly she sprang from the
hpton, and leaped the low stile with
frightened cry.
One Of the workers had reeled and
fallen heavily. They were all around
him In mOment-his co.laborers.-
They fell back and male way for Miss
Edgerton as she approached.
"What is lt?" she cried. "What is
the matter? Is he dead?"
mo, miss; It's only the heat. He's a
new un-only come this morning.
Seems as if he amt been used to the
business. Seems kind Of delicate like.
He's oming to. It's only the heat.n
The PROSTATE man raised himself a
little and looked up. He had a thin,
dark face, still young but heavily beard
ed, and with tired look in the sunken
eyes. .'.
Just a second Rose Edgerton regard.
ed him, speechless. Then she fell on
her knees beside him, and caught his
hand in her own slim, kidded fingers.
'Maurjcel' she cried. "You have
come home, Maurice" t
But once more his head dropped, his
eyes closed. They bore him to Silver
Cliff, and there for many weeks he lay
almost within the valley Of the shadow.
When he aWoke to consciousness it
was to find kind, old face bent over
him, and strangely familiar all his sur
reund:ngs.
',Rochel" he whispered
Sci" You mustn't talk" The other COM
manded sternly. s:'Go to sleep, and I'll
tell y0Tallfby-and by:n 4sbB
And ''by-and-by" there were mutual
explanations. {.
!. l GOULD not succeed, ,, Maurice said,
with one OF his slow, sad smies. 81
tried little of everything, from teach
ing Ill school to work before the
mast. But L tell YOU a boy who grows
up With q profession, taste or course
or busines training is very easily worst
Ell In competition with those who have
been in harness all their lives. l did
not dream Of stopping here, you know,
but happening to be passing through
the village, 1 heard there was demand
for laborers up at Silver Cliff. So, be-
ing penniless, and-I suppose you have
guessed it hungry, presented myself.
[ did not dream of recognition, so COM
pletely one year had altered me. went
away strong lad I have come back
.weary;man, \ Imust get strong and try
Once, when he had lain silent for
some time, he looked up suddenly.
''Strange how she, and she only knew
me-wasn't 1t ?"
Roche nodded.
God bless her |" he said, huskily.
But the, day came when Maurice,
coated and capped, APPROACHED his
faithful nurse, and held out his hand in
farewell.
''Good.byi" he said.
She sprang to her feet startled and
erect.
"You shall not gol" she cried, pas.
sionately. "The place Is yours-your
home, by Gods lawl If either must; go.
it Is I.'' ''N"o'
He had fought battle far more
bitter than she could have dreamed.
And he had conquered. Now, at one
word agian, he felt unnamed.
DON'T make it too hard for me-" he
pleaded, hoarsely., II mustl Rose,
Rose! You know whyl" }
The void, the tone, the look in his
eyes was, u revelation.
Her face dropped. SHE spoke no
word, but her, scarlet cheeks had
grown brilliant as scarlet poppies.
Five minutes later Mr.. Roche pop
ped his gray head into the cherry
library. 90.
''Coming, Maurice-readya Car
riage Is waiting. Why, great Jeru-
saleml not, going after ALI There
therel cllil(lrcnl don't We mind me-