The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-01-16
TWO HON ES.

TWO HOMES.
There was trouble on certain morn
ing in two homes at opposite ends of
the otty.
The homes were very different, and
70 was the nature Of the trouble; never
iheless, the latter was felt with con
siderable keennessssby the RESPECTIVE in
habitants of both.
The first OF these dwellings was on
the south side of Merton Square, q
loodlY mansion, the abode OF wealth
and luxury.
The lady to whom all this belonged
sat disoonsolate in the midst of her
rich surroundings.
Books and embroidery were on the
dainty little hower-decked table at her
side. but they were untouched; and q
restless, troubled expression was on her
iuce while she neryously clasped and
nnclasped the jeweled hands lying idle
i'll her lap.
The door opened. and footman an
uouncel visitor.
"Oh," she exclaimed, rising to greet
her, "you got my note"
"How kiud of you to come |"
81 am i'll suoh distress.'
And for what? asked the friend.
'"Fell ME all about it,"
You remember my cousin Laura
Nlerrihew2"
"Of course
but no one has seen her for years.
''She has shut herself up in her
country-place ever since her husband
lied; has she not3'
Eyes; she is still prey to grief"
Before they married, her husband
gave her, as her engagement ring,
valuable jewel that had been in his
FAMILY from time out of mind, and had
come to him for his mother"
1T was diamond, single stone of
great size and the purest water.''
"Of course she valued it immemaely.
us indeed she would have any glit OF
IAan to whom sno was so devoted"
"Sinoe his doath this ring has been
hmply estimable i'll her eyes 49, the
earnest Of happiness ruined SO soon.
'Ilatterly, she has fancied that the
ntone was becoming loose in the setting,
ahd spoke of sending the ring to me to
lave it examined by jeweler, but
could never mako up her mind to part
with 1t, even for few days.
''At last, however, the stone cnme out
"f the setting"
''She sent 1t Immediately to me, and"
here the speaker broke down-"I
have lost 1t p
You hnve lost the stonep'
''How very unfortunate p
"No wonder you are 50 wrotched."
''Tell me- how it happened.
The lady told hor story, pouring the
details of her misadYenture into sympa-
thetic ears, -.
The means that had been adopted for
tho recovery Of the lost treasure wcro
discussed by the two ladies, and fresh
measures suggested.
At last the visitor departed, leaving
tho owner OF these gorgeous drawing
rooms with an anxious and heavy heart
under her "silk attire"
The other home was in q different
quarter of the CITY.
It consisted Of one room in a house
let ont as tenements.
: The house was habited by extremely
poor families, and situated in dirty
and dark back street.
Lying outside tho bed, partly dressed,
WIS man--the wreck of fine, stal-
wart, broad-shouldored young fellow.
He was day-laborer. and had lately
left the hospital after o long and heavy
lit Of illness.
Two small children wero playing
quietly IN corner; and the wife, her
apron thrown over her head, was sitting
beside the firoless crate, rocking her.
self backwards and forwards, sobbipg
bitterly.
''1f / could get work, wouldn't fret,
said the young woman. th ~
We might struggle on, and keep the
life In us till suoh time as you were on
your feet again. lt..
''Bnt can't"
'1ts o poor case to be able and Nit
ing to work and not got it to do"
"The last job Of needlework Mise