The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-04-12

IHaG nlSnG Cnero was to be O party
at the house OF Judge Mills. They only
gave one q year. on the occasion OF
Meeny Mills birthday. Poor Meeny!
A homeller girl never liven, but the
Judge was rich, and she wore all the
latest fashions, so perhaps she never
realized how plain she wes. had been
busy over my only white dress, taking
tuck out here and adding bit of lace
there, wishing, fora wonder, that
could have something new to wear. AT
sight of Ned and the team, however, all
my troubles vanished into air, and I ran
downstairs laughing.
81 do wish you'd be a little sober
minded" said my father in his fretful
way. 1T seems kinder heartless to he
Laughing when there amt cent in the
house, and robody, knows when there
will be-
"Why, father, there's always potatoes
and meal, was my merry rejoinder.
"Yes, and there's always cares and
troubles" he answered lugubriously.
Il don't seem to git ahead like other
folks, and I've pretty much about given
up trying. IT you girls was only boys
nowl'
'"Think what you'd have to lay out Ill
boots alone" said, still laughing, at
which he frowned and turned impatient
ly away, while ran out to be helped
into the handsome carriage.
"What glorious day it was! The
vines lining each side Of the read all
seemed dripping with sunshine. The
shaded valleys, the dancing brooks and
the highways bordered with naples and
elms-and then my escort begulled the
hour with odd and merry fancies, talked
about his farm, his hopes, his aspira-
tions, and if had not willfuily turned
the subject once or twice." said the
pretty old lady, with prim little ges-
ture, "I think ile might have proposed.
But wasn't ready for that yet. In
the quiet of the homc-going, Il said to
myself, Il will listen to him perhaps
cat last we reached the water fall.
which, with its accompanying heights
and charming scenery, repaid us for the
long ride. 1t was hard to tear ourselves
away, and when we did turn the heads
OF She spirited horses Ia the direction of
home it was very late.
"We shall never be In time for the
party" l said, as the twilight deepened
into dusk. Must you pay ut the toll
gatep The old man is haIf-blind, and 1t
will take him an hour to hunt up change.
Run the toll, just for the fun Of it-you
can pay him afterward.'
''That won't do" said Ned, It'll have
to set bill changed though. Just take
the reins second. BY the way-sI
never heard the end OF the sentence. At
that moment the spirit of mischief
seized me. snatched the whip and
touched the near horse. Then only
heard the thunder of hoofs and the whlrr
Of wheels, saw Ned's eyes flash fire in
the semi darkness and his face grow
pale. Before he could take the reins
from my inexperienced hands, we had
run the toll in good earnest, and the
horses were flying oyer the bridge as
only frightened horses can. It was rs
much as Ned could do to guide them,
an twice we we're in deadly peril.
On they sped, young Hamilton stand
ing without q hat, his teeth set, his lips
white, his frame rigid, while the veins
Of his forehead stood out like whip cord.
I just sat back and held my breath, too
frightened to cry out, and catching
whatever was nearest to steady myself
rs they raced down the long, hilly street
to the village. at the foot OF which they
slaokened their speed and we're soon
uuder control.
''That was mad freak of yours, was
all the young man said. as he helped
me out at the door; and L knew by the
expression OF his conntenance that I
never should be asked to ride behind his
grays again.
II went to the party, seemingly as
gay and ight-hearted. as ever. IT any
feeling Of regret lurked under my care
less speech and manner, Ned should
never know it. In the midst of the fun,
when I was holding my little court, and
the laugh and the Jest were going round,
who should appear upon the scene but
my father, in his homely, patched
clothes, quite regardless of the figure he
out in the midst Of that brilliant com.
pany. He walked straight up to me,
his hair in disorder, his face as pale as
death.
Jack" says he, did you run the toll
to.day?'
'"The horses ram" said, with touch
of levity, though ] trembled from head
to DOT. What did they know about
tolls?
"Well, tile bridge keeper has been to
the house, Jack. He told me the young
man was getting the money when you
caught up the whip and set the horses
to running. Now, there's q fine for
that, an I've got to give him $5; he
won't let mo off, and amt got five
cents to my name Tears stood in his
poor, weak eyes, and, regardless Of the
surroundings, he took out his handker-
chief and wiped them away. Imagine,
II you can, how 7 felt.
"Allow me to pay, SIR" said Ned,
coming forward; and that capped tho
climax. could haYe screamed with
modification. I just ran out of that
room, without waiting for wraps or any
thing else. and flew homo so ashamed
that I think hardly knew what / was
dong. Al you may suppose, cried
pretty much oil night, and it was long
time before I recovered my spirits.
'I have no doubt it lost mo Ned
Hamilton, too," said the old lady, with
q queer little toss Of the head; .'but that
didn't matter much. He left and took
Mary Bean, old Deacon Beams daughter
the pink OF propriety, and who would
no moro have dared to say her soul was
her own than she would have dared to
ride wild horses. It was little morti-
flying at first, but after his marriage
All. 4. 4. - a