The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-08-16
the care Of such frivolous creature as


|
Even as these reflections passed inco-
herently through her mind, Rosalie's
shallow laugh echoed in the hall-Miss
Hartley had once been told that she had
q musical laugh, and had ever after lost
no opportunity Of airing its sweetness |
Is tea almost ready, Mrs. Drayton?"
she asked, putting her pretty blonde
head into the room. "I'm to 20 out
this evening, and we are to be early ?n
"lt will be ready very soor," said
Mrs. Drayton, 80 coldly that Rosalie,
springing up stairs two steps at a time,
audibly remarked to her companion
that something had put the old lady
out -
Celandine Hall followed more quietly
into the large, airy room which was
dedicated to the use of the two factory
girls.
Goodness me - cried Rosalie, with
a start, ''what is that strange rustling
noise overhead ? Is the house haunt
ed ?"
Celandine smiled. "I suppose it is
nothing more serious than rats in the
gaTet |" she said. "Do, Rosalie,
hang your waterproof cloak UP, instead
of throwing it OH the foorl There, the
noise has ceased now ~
| Nor WAS it all strange. For Mr..
Harry Drayton, who had contrived to
| twist and writhe his six feet of humani-
ty into the merest Granny of space close
under the caves, in search of the leal1y
spot in the roof, was even then consid-
ering whether he had better twist him
self back again,-an undertaking not
quite 50 easy as it might at first appear.
or keep quiet until the girls should have
gone down stairs.
"They'll laugh at NO." he thought.
"They are always laughing, bless their
hearts. l think III preserve my incog-
nito. 1t will be only minute or two
before they 60 down to tea"
Rosalie gave tremendous yawn as
she twisted up the yellow luxuriance of
her hair, little recking that her allianc-
ed lover was separated from her only
by a trail thickness of lathe and plas-
ter
"How is that Greek knot, Celan-
dine ?" she asked. "I want particu-
larly to have it look nice tonight. Ru-
dolph likes my hair in the ancient clas-
sic STYLE"
Rosalie," said Celandine Hall,
gravely, "does Harry know where you
are going to night ?"
"No, you goose said Rosalie.
"Why should he ? shall tell HIM I
am going to a sacred concert with Polly
Wright and her sisters.n
but lie will want to go with you."
Then I shall find some prctext to
put him off,
Rosalie," cried Celandine, els it
right for you to 60 to party under
Rudolph Peckham's escort, when you
are engaged to Harry IIartley9 ?"
You don't suppose I 81! going into
nunnery, just because I happen to be
engaged ?" said Rosalie, pertly.
Rosalie---" began Celandine, i'll
dignantly.
"Now don't go OIL lecturing me-"
said Rosalie, waxing impatiant. CT
have promised to marry Harry Drayton,
not because I love him, but because [
am tired and sick of the drudgery of
this endless factory work. Harry
Drayton is country lout-not half so
polished and charming as Mr.. Peckham
but he's better than no husband at
ALL And Rudolph will be my lover
still. like those dear Platonic creatures
in the French novels, because, you
knOW-'
AAo oiAio iONCSCl, UilcLC was
a sudden crash from overhead. The
plaster of the ceiling came down in a
llmey shower of pieces, directly into
Miss Hartley's rouge pots, and balm-of-
beauty ; and Harry Drayton, who, in
the agony of his mind, had writhed him
self little further than he had intend
ed, descended most unexpectedly into
their midst.
Rosalie screamed hysterically. Celan-
dine looked as if she did not know
whether to laugh or cry. Harry Dray-
ton sat up and rubbed his elbow-joints.
Pm sorry to startle you, ladies, "
said he but upon my word, couldn't
help it,
And then he explained to them the
precise nature Of the dilemma in which
he had been placed.
II couldn't 60 forward on account
of the kitchen chimney" said he "and
when | tried to back myself gracefully
out, the ceiling gave way and down I
| came. And my collar is full Of rain
| from the leak in the roof, and I think
I've swallowed about pint of lime
dust"
Rosalie turned first scarlet then
white.
ou NcIc up Illele OPer our n6auS, -
she said, in the garret corner"
He nodded, calmly.
You heard all we said p''
'I am sorry to say-yes," he answer
ed. 81 regret to be considered a
country lout,' Miss Hartley, but as
don't approve Of the Platonic system
OF loye and lovers, must beg to ab-
dicate in favor Of Mr.. Peckham And
now, if you will allow me to retire, III
send up little Tim, the cowboy; with a
basket and a broom to remove some of
this superiluous dust and lime from
your floor"
Miss Hartley wept and bewailed her.
self stormily, but she went with Mr..
Peckham to the party, nevertheless, -,
and Celandine stayed at home to sew
buttons on the beauty's boots.
While Harry, as he unfOlded the
newspaper which had come by the
evening mail, remarked incidentally
"Oh, by the way, mother, that
engagement Of mine with Rosalie is
broken off ~
Mrs. Drayton's face lighted mp.
| Really and TRULY, Harry 20 cried
| she.
Yes, really and truly, mother. 1
don't think we should have suited each
| other at all But don't YOU want to