The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-08-21

Had stayed at home should have
gone mad.
Alice and Mr.. Sidney went with me
to the train.
l had bade her goodbye, and tho
train was just about to start, when he
put his head in through the window.
You will let me come and see you?
he said.
And I only had time to answer-"No,
no-you must not comep'
Only time for this, and to note the
swift look, so like pain, which swept
over his face, ere we moved away, and
my last glimpse was of them both
standing side by side, as they would
henceforth stand through life. Not
withstanding my injunction to the con-
trary, he came. 1 had been in my new
home fortnight, and some Of the col
or was stealing back into my cheeks,
when ono afternoon, as l sat alone
upon the piazza, dreaming as dreamed
all my idle hours away, u step sounded
on the walk, and looking up saw the
face which a moment before had hoated
in my fancy. For al instant | was
liappy--supremely happy-and, spring.
ing up, l held out both hands with Il
rapturous cry of welcome, then sank
back, cold and stern again. But that
cry had brought him close besine me,
and my hands were so tightly held in
his strong clasp, while his great brown
eyes looked into the very depths of
mine, that | trembled and was still.
Mcrclful Heaven! what was it that |
read there? Could it be that he loved
me, and that he had wooed and won
Alice for her gold2 should have said
before that my sister was All heiresS
l had no power-not even that of
beauty; but Hart Sidney, would have
sworn. was not man to be bought or
sold, to buy or to sell. Idon't know
just what came to me in that hour, that
moment, but though | realized, or
thought | realized, his basenesS yet
could not snatch from my lips the cup
whose sweetness slakGd their thirst. We
spoke no word of love, but every day
found him by my side. | was no longer
listless; | was brilliant even merry.
laughed and sang as one might laugh
and sing at the feast OF death. These
few days were all that were given TO
me to satisfy the hunger of long,
drelry, empty life. Once he was about
TO speak to me of Alice. But | stopped
him. | would not be reminded of the
wrong | was doing her, for day by day
and hour 10y hour told me that, though
she would share his life and have his
name, she would never share his
heart, That was minel Another fort-
night passed, and still he fingered. But
ms return was liked for the morrow. On
the last evening we wandered down
upon the beach, silvered by the moon
light. Standing in it's rays, he turned
and faced me, clasping his hand over
mine us it lay upon his arm.
"Aline," he said, 81 love you, child.
You are but child and | am man
who has outstriri,ed you III the race
OF life by twenty years. But will you
give yourself to me, dear? Has it been
my own blind fancy winch has given
birth to the sweet hope that alone
might make your happiness?"
Hepaused then, waiting for my an
swer.
Only a minute passed, but I had
wakened from my dream. had not
thought his baseness ever could find
wous-had not thought my sister would
know his perjury. Her goodness to me,
her loving kindness to the child who
had been her pet and playthiEg always,
and who thus requitted it, Only n
minute; but l had torn out my heart
and trampled it beneath my feet. |
turned upon the man with hot, fierce
passion. l forgot that 1 had led him
on | forgot my own business, my own
love, as | hurled my scorn at his de-
fencelessncss. What burning, scathing
words | used l know not, but when /
had finished he offered me again his
arm, from which / mad Withdrawn my
clasp, and he walked back in silence to
the house. Yet as lie left me, still
without word, | felt, strange to say,
only my own guilt. lie had not borne
himself like one convicted Of Il wrong.
The next week | went home.
Alice was the first to meet me. and
that night she crept into my room and
knelt down beside me as she had done
before.
Darling," she whispered, "noxt
month am to be married, and you arc
to be my only bridesmaid
81 cannot % l answered, "Don't
ask me, Alice, it would kill me -
" DO you really love me so we'll, dear?
But you will not refuse me this? 1t
would mar all my happiness, Aline, and
| am 80 happy. When you have seen
Harry when you learn to know and
love him for himself-you will better
understand.
Harry ~ gasped. "Who is he 2''
"IIarry-IIarry Stretton; the man
am to marry. Why, Aline, you told
me you knew it all. Is it possible you
did not know ?''
And thon she told me of the engage
ment which had been entered into dur
ing her Christmas visit-.an engagement
finally ratified and approved by her
guardian whilst ! was 80 ill. 1t had
been this she had been about to tell
me-thls | had refused to hear. Oh,
the burning shame with which | listened
at lastl And then a wild impulse
seized me to tell her all the truth She
should not believe me better than was.
She should know how mean, how pitt
able had been, even though bought
her hate and contempt, as doubtless |
had bought Hart Sidney's. / did not
spare myself rs | told the story. In
silence she heard it through, and then
she sealed my lips with the kiss of love
and pardon. All night | battled with
my misery and rcmorse.
Alice expected her lover the next day.
felt | dared not meet him. In tie
afternoon she came into my room.
"Some one WISHES TO see you in the
library, DEAR" she said. "Will you 90