The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-05-31
HIS RIVALi


The pearl-grey clouds were sailing
and piling themselves lazily above, and
behind these were ''lepths beyond
depths" OF clearest azure.
The crickets chirped drowsily among
the dropping grasses, now and then a
bird uttered faint protest against the
heat, and dropped into silence again.
Dell Irving trippcd down the garden
path with its fringeS of fcathery ferns
and pale, sweet-faced violets.
She was looking as cool as if the day
were filled with delicious sea brcezes.
The golden hair, piled on the dainty
head in tho indescrbable manner fash
ion dictates, was shaded by a huge chip
hat.
what picture she made, us, scissors
in hand, she stood and contemplated the
sweetly-bloOming flower-bcds before her,
filled with their old fashioned favorites,
as we'll as newer, rarer flowers.
a small, yet perfectly formed young
girl her every action and gesture poem
in itself, SO unconsciously graceful was
it.
But when you noticed the pretty arch
mouth, you were somehow compelled to
believe that Miss Dellswas not quite so
innocent as she looked, and that she had
will Of her own, if she only chose to
use it.
Another figure fitted up the garden
path-that Of young man, tall, dark
stalwart and handsome.
The "dark, dark eyes" lit up when
he saw Dell, and he waved his hand
gaily to her.
"1Sn't it warm tO-iay?n
Rick said this with profoundly wise
look, as if afraid Dell might not yet
have discovered the fact.
Then he famed himself vigorously
with his straw hat. - ,5'~
EDO you really think SOP" with sar-
casm. "Why, was laboring under the
mistaken impression that it is rather
cool. Pm glad you came to undeceive
me-" gratefully.
Don't be ritiiculousn' said Rick An
dertOn severely.
Then Won't you give me Il flower,
Dell?" with an insinuating smile.
Here is the last rose of SUMNER >
said Dell, cutting the Cast rose' off it's
stem with vicious snip Of the scissors.
Its rather faded and old, but, of course,
you don't mind," III tone impossible
to translate.
mo, indeed" said Rick provokingly,
while Dell pinned it to the lapel Of his
coat. s'Of course [ don't mind if it is
a trile faded"
ie was looking straight into Dcll's
eyes as he said it, and as he was her
lover, Dell took an unfair Interpretation
of this last remark. ..
dell, where did you get that ring2"
Rick Anderton took Dells snowflake
OF hand in his own great, strong one.
and gaZed at it, a frown, half playful,
half real, in his eyes.
ooh, somewherci" said Dell, in q
manner as eXasperating as it was vague.
but which one do you mean, Rick2
Inns oneT Why, you gave it to me.
Don't you rememberp"
II don't mean that one," said Rick,
the froWn III his eyes growing more
ominously dark, the playful expression
entirely gone.
'"This one, thenp Aunt Belle gave it
to me on my last birthday.
you've seen it ever SO many times
before, Pm quite sure"
II don't mean that One!n
And Rick's voice was so harsh, and
stern and jealous that Dell almost
skipped out of here dainty slippers.
Dell heaved a reluctant sigh.
There was only one ring left-a deli
cately-cllaSed gold one-so she SUD-
posed she would have to tell him all
about it.
She meant to teach him lesson,
though, for being SO jealous without a
cause.
"rhls,' she began, with charming,
as well as exasperating, air of reluct-
ance, 'er-Jm sent me yesterday. Isn't
II TOO lovely?" gazing up at him with
those bewitching blue eyes.
Rick made no reply, but held her hand
tightly crushed in his own, dspleasure
and pain in his eyes.
you hurt me, Rick,n said Dell
plaintively, gently essaying to withdraw
her hand.
She was rather enjoying TIC scene,
but she had no intention of permitting
her hand to be broken to bits.
With an impatient gesture, Rick
dropped it.
"Who is Jim?n he said abruptly,
"a dear old friend of mine, Rick!n
with enthusiasm. "I only wish you
knew jim. You would be perfectly de-
lighted with 10y
81 beg leave to differ with you," said
Rick frcezingly, "I would not be de-
lighted with him.
Dell looked snubbed.
"But isn't the ring prettyp" she said
at last, holding it up tantalzingly.
And see what's engraved on it," :
''To Darling Dell, from Jim."
AS Rick read, tho passionate jealous
pain at his heart became almost lmen-
durable.
He dared not trust himself to speak
SO ne turned abruptly on his heel, and
strobe rapidly down the garden path.
Dell laughed, though Just q little I'M
easily.
He will come back tonight sho
thought, "to ask to be forgiven for