The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-10-11
WAS 1T FAIR OF HIM?

A lovely day in September. The
rays OF the sun are tempered by Il slight
haze that lies over the sea, while the
air is 80 calm that the flag ut the end
Of the per has hung motionless the
whole morning.
At the foot of the cliffs, among the
boulders, sits a girl sketching-a girl,
who, III her pretty pale tinted dress,
relieved by a bunch of poppies at the
neck and another in the becoming little
sailor hat, makes a fair picture herself.
She has a sweet, earnest face framed
with curly dark hair that falls softly
on the white forehead, which is just
now prettily puckered in the earnest
ness of her task,
length of his TALL, athletic figure, re-
clines an equally fair specimen Of the
opposite sex, his thoughts apparently
far away, Juggling by the absent look in
the handsome gray eyes which are
looking out to the sea.
Suddenly he rOuses himself and
pushing his hat a little further back
from his broad white brow, turns laZily
on one elbow, and says, penitently:
Il am awful sorry, Miss Grey. You
must think me Il very dull companion,
l am sure, but the fact is, that from
being alone 50 much when was abroad,
have acquired Il very awkward habit
OF going iutO day dreams without the
slightest regard to time and clrcunl-
stances; so please accept my most hlim-
ble apologies" he concludes, looking
pleatlingly into his companion's face.
"A S'olt laugh answers his words, and
Dora Grey, says, gently, without rails
ing her eyes:
PRAY don't apologize, Mr.. Carelton.
L an afraid must plead guilty to tho
weakness OF Observation-Disclosures myself
occasionally, and at the present mo-
ment was so engroSScd at this difficult
piece of sky that had almost forgotten
your presence"
"Oh," says Frank Carelton, blandly,
under his breath, while the girls sweet
voice resumes, unconscious OF the i'll
terruption:
II always think that one Of the tests
OF true friendship is being able to he
with a person, and either talk, think,
or keep silence, as long as you choose,
without the expectation OF giving Of
fence"
''Oh," says Frank, resuming his old
attitude, IL suppose you 20 in for that
sort OF thing; most young ladies do--for
d time"
81 don't know what you mean by
going in for that sort OF thing but |
certainly believe that there are such
people to be met with as real, sincere
trends in every sense of the word"
NATURALLY enough at your age, Miss
Grey; but pardon. me, when you have
lived u little longer you will find people
are not always what they seem, nor are
their protestations Of friendship much
to be depended upon"
'llowever old 1 may live to be, "says
Dora, II hope shall always have us
much faith III my fellow creatures as [
have now; and firmly believe It posi-
ble to meet with those who will,
through riches and poverty, good report
and evil, be steadfast and unchanging
friends" And blushing at her own
earnestDess Dora resumes the brush.
which she had been neglecting for the
last few minutes.
Frank smiles under his mustache at
the grlish outburst, but turns and looks
grayely enough into the charming, shy
face and says with a sigh:
'Ah, Child. you don't know what
yon are talking about, just put it to
yourself a moment, and tell inc, do you
think you could be such a friend if need
he?n
81 dol'' is the quiet, earnest answer,
and something in the pure face makes
Frank take the little bare hand nearest
him into his and kiss it reverently.
Then, letting it go, lo says gently:
II suppose, Miss Grey, your theory
would not allow friendship between two
Of opposite seX?"
"Certainly it would" replied Dora.
81 can never understand why the re-
gard which may exist between a man
and. a woman should not be dictated
by feeling of true, earnest friendship,
and, as such, be frankly shown before
the world. l dare say you think ne
very foolish, the sweet, girlish voice
i ;;ssconcludes, little hastily; "my sisters
ut home have often laughed ut what
/. they call my peculiar notions.'"
There is no reply for a moment, for
B Frank is looking earnestly over the
s sea; then he turns with an air of having
4 made up his mind to something, and
Asays, quietly:
q Dora, will you be such a friend to
sme?"
30 The girls cheeks flushes, and she
turns TO meet the expected smile; but
8the glance which meets her is grave
sand earnest, and the clear gray eyes
sglook honestly into hers. "
There is a mcmentary pause, then
gslle lays her pretty white fingers gently
Amto the hand Outstretchcd to meet
them. and says, steadily:
ss IL will, Mr.. Carelton, as far as IL lies
IN my power, il you wish it.''
s3E IL do wish it," says Frank concisefy,
bis hand closing firmly round the
sStimid little fingers, over which he bends
Islns handsome head before releasing