The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-03-03

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/ OF street whore dark, gloomy, public
! building stood-and realized that, in
falling on the treacherous ice. she had
sprained her ankle and was faint with
pain and terror-with terror at the sound
Of mans voice, rough yet hushed,
ornel and ourt-iust around the angle
of the building, into whose door she had
crept.
II thought I heard somebody.
"Didn't you?"
eyes, but it wasn't him; he hasn't
come along yet.
III was woman.
II saw her turn off at the corner.''
"There isn't any doubt but what he
will take the diamonds with him, sup
pose? If he should have changed his
mind it will be bad job for u.s.
"He'n take them, you may be sure,
IL heard hin tell Joe so myself.
"Said he.
"Juet send the paroor up to Rolfe and
Sons some time before six O'Clock, and
Ill take them to Miss -Miss"-.I forget
the name myself"
"But maybe he won't go this way"
"Maybe he always do them"
eff he shows fght-''
''If he do, I'll show him.
"Got your slung-shot handy, haven't
you Bob2
"Golly, but its freezer to night"
and little Emmie Horton heard every
syllable of it, and comprehsnded at
once that they were lying in wait to rob
perhaps kiIl-Frank Rolfe rs he was
taking home the diamonds for his gift to
his bride.
And he was coming in q
minute perhaps not quite 80 soon, but
certainly coming that way-wlth the
precious jewels in his possession.
He must not come-she must some
how save him, somehow warn him, for
all he had broken her heart, ruined her
fair young life and, dizzy with terror,
pale and anguished with acute physical
pain, this brave, grand little girl got
herself along somehow, crawling, dragg-
ing herself by area railing, hopping on
her we'll foot, through the almost inter-
minable seven blocks back to the store,
where the lights were still burning, aud
when, she dragged herself in, by the
aid Of counters and stools, Frank Rolfe
and his father-a courtly, handsome,
grey-headed gentlemaM-could not con-
oeal their astonishment and dismay at
sight of her--pale, excited, evidently
suffering, as she told her story in eager,
yet coherent words, and then-sank in
a deep dead faint on the office floor.
'"Hhe splendid little creaturel
"Frank, this is what call true hero
ism. Ring for the keepers wife to come
there lift her gently, and we will lay
her on the sofa-poor. brave, grand
little girl! She has saved your life,
Frank"
And as he stood looking at her, pale
as snowdrop, curious thoughts were in
Frank Rolfe's mind.
The keepers wife came, and hack
was telephoned for, and while Emm1e
was being conveyed home, her foot and
ankle as comfortable us possible, there
was telephone consultation between
police headquarters and Rolfe and
Sons counting-room. and-in u half
hour more, as Frank Rolfe walked past
the corner, revolver ready, couple of
policemen who had approached the spot
by another route, sprana upon the men
aud arrested them IN the very act of at
tack.
The next day was New Year's-bright,
calm, with diminished temperature, and
full Of rare promise and beauty, only
this wo,nanly, brave little Emmle of
mine was not brave and heroic, but 81
lently crying as she lay on the crimson
carpet lounge in her room, trying not to
think and yet never thinking of any
thing else than--to-day was Frank
Rolfe's wedding.day, and that never
more was there any hope, or JOY, or love
for her.
And then some one knocked OF the
door, and Rolfe and Son and Miss Bes-
sic Payne came In, and great lovely
flush spread over Emmie's face as she
greeted them, and when Miss Payne
knelt down beside the lounge and kissed
her.
''You are little heroine, my DEAR
she said sWeetly.
"And 7 have come to bring you the
reward for your splendid courage.
"You know am to be married to.
night to Mr.. Roller
"Yes?n
"Well, yon are to let us take you