The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-05-03
TWO LOVERS.


High time declared the gossips of
GrayVille, that Mamie Williams made q
choice Of husband, and gave to the
other girls, who doubtless would make
better wives, if they had not as much
beauty, some chance.
Utterly absurd that the men followed,
one after 8lother, like sheep in q drove,
wherever her caprices led.
They were like u hive OF bees con :
tending for one flower, and blind to all
the gardenful besides.
But Mamie only smiled when some
whisper OF this reached her, and let the
gossips talk.
Full we'll she knew her power, this
simple country girl, who possessed no
dover save her beauty, and right royalty
she used it.
Besides, it was not quite as the gos-
sips declared.
There was no such butter in all the
county as that which came from Mamie
Williams farm, and Nanme's fingers,
white and tapering as they were, moul-
ded; no cream was SO thick and yellow,
and Nanny had sole charge of tue dairy;
no house was more neat and tidy, with
nameless air Of feminine grace about
it, and Mamie, since her mothers
death, reigned sole mistress.
No wonder the young men felt the
race we'll run, with such prize rs It's
goal.
True, she had saucy word ever
ready, but ono readily torgave Its harm
lessness for the sake of tho sweet brilll-
ant smile which lent her pretty face it's
rarest charm, and seemed to mutely
plead her pardon.
However, when it WAS least expected,
Mamie made her choice, and it fell upon
Sydney Riohards
There was nothing to be said against
him .>....a-,- ..r-.----.----- -,.---...--
He was q good-looking young fellow,
with farm of his own.
He and Mamie would make hand
some couple, and doubtless would sue
ceed well in the wcrld.
But for all that it was surp1 ise to
many OF them, and one or two of the
more discerning ones said that she had
strong, and that quiet MS he had ever
been, he had grown more 80 since the
betrothal was announced.
Mamie did not hear this, however,
nor had she seen Dick since her engage
nent. until one evening some three
weeks after.
She had wandered down to the little
gate opening on to the road, and stood
leaning llstlessly against it, when
quick, firm tread broke the stiffness.
She knew the step we'll. and flush of
crimson rose to her face, then receded,
as q tall, stalwart figure came around q
sharp turn in the road.
He gave quick start, too, rs he per-
ceived her, and would have passed on,
merely raising the straw hat from the
close-cropped blond head, but that her
voice, little tremulous, detained him.
"Dick" she said.
He halted then, but made no move
ment to approach her. until she held out
towards him small white hand.
'Dick,' she repeated, "of all my
friends you are the only one who has
not congratulated me-"
"lndeedl'' he answered, with q
strange, hard smile.
IT hope it is not too late"
And touching the little fingers for an
instant only, he turned away again as if
he considered all his duty done.
Hot tears rose to Nannie's eyes.
though from whence they sprung none
could have OWNED.
''You are cruel, Dick" she said.
mo" he answered, 'I am kind, but
believe me, Mamie, 1 trust you may be
happy. Good night"
She spoke no further word to detain
him, but stood anu watched him walk
away.
Her eyes still followed tho direction
he had taken long after his figure was
lost to her sight.
''He never loved meI' she murmured
to herself.
'He would always have been exaoting
and jealous, and he never asked mo to
be his wife.
"What right has he to complaint
But the glrl knew that she silenced
only her conscience, and no voice OF
his, when she thus spoke.
He had uttered no reproach.
Dared she to her own soul say he
! could haye found no cause for doing soP
Sydney Richards found something
amiss with his pretty betrothed that
night.
She shrank from his somewhat too
demonstratiye caress, and turned upon
him almost angrily when he asked her
to name the day for their wedding-in
foot to let The banns DO read at once.
"You see, it'll soon be harvesting
time, Mamie, my lass" no pleaded, by
way OF argument 'and there's no deny.
ing that the farmneeds woman's hand
and q womal's care.
Its all ready for its mistress, and
why shouldn't it's mistress be ready for
it,"
"Simply because she isn't your maid
of-all-work, Sydney Richards, to be
hired when the season is most convent.
ent and the demand for her most press.
ing" was the girls hot reply.
But her lover bore it good naturedly,
and just as he was leaving she penitently