The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-01-11
mo, let me 60 to him. ~

'It's the first room to the right oi
tho stairs, miss.
"He's tho only lodgcr 1 have, md
you arc his first visitor"
But the girl needed not the words.
A strange vision she surely was o.
she stood all Instant outside lis doors,
clad i'll costly velvet and rich furs.
Then she softly turned the handle
and entered.
He did not hear her.
He had thrown himself upon his sofa
md buried his head in Its cushions.
He was SO still, SO motionless, she
thought ho must be sleeping.
She swiftly crossed the room, and
laying her hand gently upon his shouI
der, called his name.
"HcaveDs - he cried, and would
have started to his feet but ti,at she
held him back, falling on her knees be,
side him.
"Chestor," she pleaded, "you would
not como to me.
"My pride is less than yours.-my
love greater.
II have ccme to you.
"Did you think that my heart uttered
the unworthy words for which you have
punished me all these years
II have tried 30 long to find you-so
long und so hopelessly.
And she bowed her beautiful head
and sobbed outright.
"Hush, dear, hush.
"You should not have come here,
Marion.
. 1t might compromise you"
'Compromise me- with my future
husband?
"Sce, Chester" and she held up the
hand Oh which cleaned tho ring.
II have never had my freedom"
"N1y own brave GIRL" he said, his
voice softcnlDg even while he girded
himself up to the strength of which he
stood in such noed.
''But the heaven von haye opened to
mo cannot be.
Il nm foreman in the works where
you saw me to-day, Marion,
"My knowledge and love of mach
inory stood me in good stend.
81 heard Of this opening and secured
''To-day was adjusting some diff
Quit piece OF work J. dared not trust to
the worknicn.
s'l am Ill receipt Of liberal salary,
which nm laying aside, dear, living as
poorly as 1 can, hoping one day TO buy
al interest in the business.
Zone or two improvements l have
made are rapidly advancing me towards
this gaol but it is still far off. 1 can
not ask you to wait, nor to forget the
years Of labor which have helped me
reach it,"
81 havo waited already too long, Ches-
fnr hn Il or
to become your wife"
His tace grew deadly white.
do not tempt me-" he said hoarsely.
ooh, Chester" she said. "When
have so much money, why are you SO
cruel and SO proud2"
II cannot go back to life of ease
and dependence, he 'even
with you, dear love, to brighten it.
Bless you for coming to mo Marion.
Bless you for showing me all that no.
bic woman may be. The memory of
this hour will Tighten all my 1uture
years"
"Chester, you do not understand me. 3"
She persisted.
81 ask you to return to no life of
dependence.
''I will forget THAT have single
shilling in the world except what you
give me. / will share whatever homo
you offer me-evcn this.
''For better, for worse. darling. we
pledged ourselves, as sacredly as though
already we had stood before Gods alter.
In Gods sight L am your wife.
81 claim my right to share your dark
days, rs well us those on which the sun
of prosperity may shIne.'
lie strove to answer her, but his
voice broke.
She had conquered but woman-like,
she gave to bim the glory of her victory
as she sobbcd out her happiness upon
his heart
month later there was q quiet we'd
ding, ut which were neither flowers. nor
bridesmaids, nor music but Marion
Wlllonghby missed nothing.
1t was after the ceremony had been
performed that Chester showed her q
document which had been his wedding
gift from the firm he had served so FIJI til
fully, and which admitted him as o
Junior partner from that date.
But she smiled half-sadly rs she look
ed at it through mist of tears.
''You said once, dear" "she whispered,
"that flowers, to liYe, needed sunlight.
"My darling, had not then made
tho wonderful discovery that loved
makes sunlight everywhere.
with your heart my home, be it's
outward adornments what they will, /
envy no king his palace, no queen her
throne."