The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-04-26
SWEET CHARITY.

Mr.. and Mrs. Malcolm Blythe were
seated ut breakfast
The steak was broiled to perfection,
and the aroma from the steaming coffee
urn sent forth m appetizing odor.
But as the young wife watched her
husbands enjoyment of the daintiIy-
cooked vlands, her face wore look Of
abstraction notjusually seen upon it.
AT last Mr.. Blythe noticed it; and
also that she was not eating-but mere
ly toying with the bit Of toast upon her
plate.
whats the matter, Letty2" he asked,
with look of concern.
"Are you lll?"
mo, Malcolm, I was only thinking. 1"
Malcolm gave long low whistle to
emphasize his surprise.
'Thinkingl my bright chatty little
girl, stopping her merry nonsense long
enough for such an unusual operationl
what can it be about?"
Lefty drew herself up with an assump-
tion Of injured dignity; but her eyes
and smiling lips bore witness that she
was not deeply offended.
"You treat me 80 like child, NAL
colin, that I have almost grown to think
that, though married woman, l can
still avoid all trying responsibilities. and
make life ono grand holiday.
"Bu5 1 am beginning to see thin rs in
q new light.
81 may have but the one taleEt-stiii
L have no right to waste it. feel thor
ough]y ashamed of myself to be such an
idler IN this busy world"
Malcolm looked into the earn est ayes
with q mock seriousness OF expression
III his own brown orbs as he said
"Well, Puss, I am sorry if I'm going
to lose my pleasant little companion,
and have loug-faced reformer take her
place."
Lefty smiled.
mot SO bad as that, I hope. Is it
not possible to do something to make
other people either better or happier,
without being 'long-faced' or disagree
able MYSELF"
BY this time Mr.. Blythe was ready to
put OH his overcoat,
Lefty, as usual, helped him to getinto
it, then put up her lips for kiss.
She looked very winsome, with the
seriousness OF an awakening soul cloud
ing her innocent eyes, and giving q
somewhat plaintive droop to the lips,
oieur-cut iii their outlines, yet red and
pointing rs a cleft cherry.
Malcolm kissed her fondly; then
pinching her cheek, playfully said
"Ill give you mission for to-day.
Put Oh your pretty things, and 60 ana
Duy some presents for your little sisters.
Then come homo with such q bright
face that l can warm my heart in its
sunshine"
Lefty felt q pardonable glow of pride
md pleasure i'll her handsome husband
as she watched him stride off, turning
now and then to nod another "good-
bye to her, until the tram chr came
along which was to take him down to
his Office.
He had bought neat little pi acton,
iuI Ier use, r.:cctt .:ccttt sa'dnm stepped into. 1T
himself.
She sighed as she turned away,
though, feeling disappointed that NAL
colin had treated the matter so lightly.
But with an effort she threw Oft the
transient cloud, and went TO her room
to dress and cary out his suggestion.
She was the eldest daughter of large
family.
Her father lad never been able to
, ahord his children the Iuxuries of life
out of hisaiinltod salary.
SO it was n novelty to her to own q
purse 30 plethorio with bank-notes that
she could buy present for every one
OF her sisters.
AS she had been married but a few
months, it was her first shopping expe-
dltion and she soon forgot the serious
thoughts III the excitement OF selecting
something to please each individual taste
among the dear ones ut home.
Malcolm Blythe was q wealthy, rising
young lawyer.
Ho had been captivated by Lofty g
pretty modest face, rs he listened to her
graduation composition, delivered at
the closing exercises Of the free school
OF which she had been IN exemplaly y
pupil Tor several years.
lie obtained oil int oduction, and to
tlle surprise Of tho gay world of which
he WAS considered oil ornament, six
months after their first meeting Lefty
was installed mistress of perfectly
orpolnted mansion in ono of the pleas
antcst streets in town.
Dear Malcolm," she thought crate
fully, as she stepped into her pletoI
aha was whirled away. 1T isn't every
husband who would give his wife leave
TO spend money for her family"
Her destination wag an extensive es-
tabilshment whore nearly every wan
could be supplied-from u lady's outti
to child's simplest toy.
AS she walked through the dlfferen
departments she found herself attracted
ny one face, amid the passing throng.
1t was so young, yet 80 sad; with (
AtfAInnI -