The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-12-29

for her sake as my own, for there was
an mdescrlbable something about the
young man that made me fear he was
not proper associate for the ladies at
"The Ems.' "
How uncertain are the events Of the
morrowl The sun rose, bright and
beautiful, in cloudless sky, but before
noon the day grew bitterly cold and
occasional clouds chased each other
across the heavens. Towards evening
the sky was entirely obscured and light
flakes Of snow began to float in the at
mosphere. Mr.. Crofton predicted a
severe snow storm, and before dawn his
prediction was verified. The Leverings,
instead Of taking their departure. were
likely to become fixtures for some time.
Sleet and snow continued to fall with
out cessation all the next day. It was
not until evening that the clouds rolled
away and the full moon shone out in an
azure sky, shedding its pale light over
the thick, white carpet that covered the
earth, and giving a brilliant luster to
the ice-clad trees and shrubbery.
Although everything without was so
cheerless, the drawing-room presented a
scene Of loveliness and gayety. The
ladies employed upon their embroidery
or crochet work were exchanging re-
partee, while Henrietta was playing
brilliantly on the piano, attended by Mr..
Levering, who bent over her to turn
the leaves Of her music and utter low
whispers that brought flood of bushes
to her face. He replaced her at the
instrument, and she stood by his side
while he ran his fingers over the keys
and sang love songs to her with his mag
nlficent tenor voice until the whole
room was filled with the melody.
sat beside Nanette, with book in
my hand, full of hatred for the man
who had usurped my place. Henrietta
would not look toward me. Icould not
catch single glance of her eye; at last
l saw her leave the drawing room and
follwed her, meeting her in the hall.
''Have l offended you, dear cousin2"
l said, extending my hand to her, but
she only looked in my face with pain
full expression i'll her eyes as she whis-
pered to me: ooh, Rob, how could you'll"
a sob was in her voice, and she turned
away without another word and left me.
Something had evidently made her un-
happy, but was guiltless.
The party at 1.-THE Elms" were be-
ginning to grow restive under the mo-
notony of their snow-bound exist.
ence, when Mr.. Crofton said he was
desirous that the city girls should
see what was meant by genuine coun-
try sleighing frolic. He further in
formed them that he had sent word to
the Red Cross Hoeel, about ten miles
distant, to provide music and good
supper for our party, and to see that the
house was thoroughly heated; he added
that enough horses were III the stable,
but as he owned only one sleigh he
would leave it for the gentlemen to
supply the others needed from the neigh
boring town
ALI was now merry hustle and confu-
sion; the girls were delighted at the
prospect Of participating in this new
pleasure and began to look up their
warmest wraps, while Mr.. Levering
and myself went to Everton to procure
the required sleighs. was not anxious
for his company, but as 1t could not be
avoided submitted as gracefully as
possible.
We found but two sleighs procurable
IN the town, and these would hold only
two persons each. This delighted mo,
for, being accustomed to drive with
Henrietta, l thought at would surely
fall to my lot to have her for my COM
panion. But I reckoned without nv
host, for when I asked her to accom-
pany ms she said, with smile, that she
was already engaged to go with Mr..
I4evering.
OF course, the sleigh-rlde at once lost
all attractions for me, and would gladly
have remained behind had it not been
for an underlined feeling of uneasiness
Tor Henrietta that possessed me. There.
fore | invited Miss Crosby, and when
we started it would have been difficult
to find merrier party than ours.
The road was splendid, and the snow
creaked and whistled beneath our run
ners. The horses were soon covered
with flakes of congealed moisture, and
flew over the road, their hoofs keeping
time to the merry jingle Of tho many
sleigh-bclls. The moonlight on the
snow turned the night into a brilliant
day, and the ladies enlivencd the ride
with merry songs and jests.
At last our destination was reached
and the girls, thoroughly warmed before
roaring hickory fire, were shown to
the dressing room, from which they
soon emerged to be escorted to the dan
cling apartment, q large hall decorated
with evergreens and lighted up with an
immense number Of candles in tin soon.
ces fastened to the walls. The floor
was white and smooth; the music was
furnished by a negro violin player and q
colored assistant, who banged away on
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