The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-05-17


speak to Col. Reave. but he had sud-
denly become almost unapproachable;
he accepted scarcely any invitations; he
seemed in bad spirits, ard were if not
that he was seen oftener than usual vt
the grave of his lost sweetheart, his
acquaintances might have believed that
he was piqued Mt Eunice's preference
for Bonnarton.
AS Tor the merchant. his personal ap.
pearance and spirits improved STEADILY,
and those Of his nei9hbors who were
familiar enough with him to drink his
wine said in confidence to other init
mates that when rallied about Gliss
Perrang, the merchant would smile as
ii no had every reason to be satisfied
with his prospects, and when asked
hypocritically. how the Colonel was
getting along with Miss Perrang, the
answer generally was that the Colonel
had almost ceased calling, for whenever
he camo the young lady was almost
sure to be entertaining better company.
On one of the rare occasions when
the Colonel allowed himself to accept
an invitation, he aud several other
gentlemen were taking wine with tho
host, when one OF the guests, who had
taken something stronger than wine be-
fore arriving, said:
81 heard to-day that Bonnarton had
bought Martins place at the Ridge.
It's charming little most, but it's two
miles from anywhere. What do you
suppose he wants with lt?''
"Noboby could guess; those who
might have done SO saw Col, Reave
frown, SO they thought it best to re-
main silent.
Don't you understand" persisted
the informant, with n half tipsy lecr
that was nevertheless significant.
"No," said the host hurriedly, TAX
ing the fellows arm, "nor you, Robin
son. Gentlemen, suppose we join the
ladios?'
All acted on the suggestion but the
Colonel, who begged to be excused for
the remainder of the evening. All old
wound was troubling him, ho said, and
he would rather be no company than
bad company.
But instead of going to the cottage of
an old soldier servant, where he was the
only boarder. the Colonel strobe in the
opposite direction. DR.. Morsely, who
had been fellow guest. and had heard
OF what had been said, begged his host
to let HIM escape from the house unseen
and follow the Colonel, for he feared
something might happen should the
soldier meet-well, he would mention
no names. The host understood, and
smuggled Doctors hi,t and cane
from the asSSSssing room, and tue 1eyer-
end gentlemen escaped by side door
CO lxy hat ln 7 i H.
almost as soon as the Colonel. By
walking on the sodded portion of the
sidewalk, he followed readily without
making any noise.
But the trip did not progress exactly
rs the Doctor had expected. Instead
OF going directly to Bonnarton's house
or to the Perrang place, the Colonel
went to the village cemetery.
The Doctor promptly became
ashamed of h1msolf; although he was
glad to have the Colonel as regardful as
himself Of Eunice Perrang's reputation,
and was rather sorry that the Colonel's
abrupt departure had not been caused
by the insinuation he had heard, the
errand upon Which his military friend
was now bent seemed Of far higher M.
ture than chastising an old prohiQate.
The old man was about to retrace his
steps, when it occurred TO him that the
Colonel had been in such bad health
and spirits for month or two that he
might not be safe company for himself
Mt time when he preferred q lonely
graveyard to cheerful feast. He had
heard of middle-agad lovers killing
themselves ut the graves of their dead
sweethearts; so ho felt it would not =,
indelicate il he were to watch the Colo
mel for few minutes. The grave was
near a hedge that separated the Gene
teIy grounds from the garden of tho
Doctors parishioners; SO tho old man
tiptoed through the garden and close to
the hedge just in time to hear the Colo
mel say:
cit Is not for my sake, Agnes, but for
hers"
Then the Colonel arose from his
knees, passed out Of the cemetery and
walked rapidly towards Miss Perrang's
house. The Doctor followed rapidly,
his head i'll whlrl. Tile Colonel Oh
tered the house. and q moment later tho
olerg gymun peering in the parlor window,
saw that only Eunice and the Colonel
were there, and whispered:
'"Ebank GodW
The Colonel complimented the lady
on her appearance and was told in reply
that Miss Perrang had never seen him
looking better. The assurance seemed
to please the Colonel, for his eye bright.
enened as if his mind had been cleared
in some way. He answered quickly
that no man whose heart was 80 entirely
and worthily filed could help looking
his best.
"Oh, COLONEL" exclaimed Miss Por-
rang, playful]y, that sounds very much
us it you were i'll love. Do tell mo who
the happy woman is?"
"May tell you in confdence?" asked
the Colonel grayely; he extended his
| hand rs he added, 1--WE are old friends.
you know. You won't laugh at me if
you don't approve my choice2"
"Laugh at you, Col. Reave9" ex.
claimed Eunice. mo woman could do
that. The woman whom the one great
catch of Mayport is in love with is"
"You, Miss Perran9," interrupted the
Colonel. "Forgive an old soldiers
bluntness if ask plainly will you marry
me2"
Ihe lady's self possession forsook
her; so, apparently, did her tongue.
All she could do was to stare blankly.
''Have I offended your" asked tho