The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-03-17
SAVED IN SLEEP.

ohfEO In SLIfSP.
A clear, sweet voice was singing Il
senseless ditty, with many mockine
variations, and operatio triIls.
A young man swinging indolcntly in
hammock. underneath tho open win
dow, laid aside his book and tossed
away his unfinished cigar, as he LISTEN
edl to the merry trills md quavers.
He has come down to posterity a
model OF wisdom; the euro was as sue
cessful and complete as it was unique.
'1," said he, twill arise and do like
wise"
He arose slowly; tho VOICE and its
lovely owner had uprooted settled pre-
JUDGES, and overthrown firm convictions.
Moreover, nh underlying fear that he
was about to commit the second great
folly Of his life caused his heart to trcnl-
bic and his feet to lag.
Nevertheless, straight as the needle
to tho pole, tended his steps towards
that upper room, and he musical dis
turber of his peace.
She was minding Mrs. Latrobe's
baby, as usual.
Mrs. Latrobe was n presumably young
widow, somewhat wan and faded as to
beauty, which must once have been re-
markable-somewha scrimped rs to
worldly posses 'ions, yet strongly bent
upon making the most of her second
chance in life.
In pursuance Of which design she
displayed the vlgor and tireles sness of
sixteen leaving her infant, meanwhile,
either locked up in the profound slum-
ber born of soothing syrups, or to the
tender mercies of somo obliging fellow
boarder.
1t may have been the latent mother
liness in her nature, or something she
saw in the pitiful drug -darkened eyes OF
the chilli, which made Marie Devoll
often care for tho neglected little one
during the absence OF It's mother;
Harry Raymond was not the man,
having made up his mind, to brook any
unnecessary delay,
He went straight to the side of the
surprised singer, who had supposed
him dozen miles distant, and the,
baby being somewhat in his way, caught
1t from the arms of its surprised foster
mother, and, with dexterous fling,
sent it flying through the air into the
very middle of great, soft Persian rug,
lying before the window.
Miss Devoll uttered startled cry of
protest.
The child, contrary to all precedent,
nlighted from his airy flight, shrieking
with laughter, and lay clutchng Mt the
sunbeams, jewel Of baby in a golden
setting.
''M,ss Devoll," said Harry earnestly,
"you know, as do all my friends, the
story of my carly folly.
Years ago, l loved all unworthy
object, and ever since L have walked tho
. earth blind to all womanly goodness,
purity and truth
''Through beautiful woman ! lost
my sight; through beautiful woman 1
found it again.
"Tell mo, Marie" his voice trem-
bling with earnehtness, 'if this love is
to be the crown and glory of my life, or
its second folly?
81 wish that might bring you clean
hands and pure heart.
IL can only otior you an unworthy
ono, but full of love that is true and
abiding-that shall last for ever.''
There was no need Of words; he read
his answer i'll her sweet, downcast face,
and tender eyes; he sealed it on her
quivering crimson lips, and was con-
tent
The baby laughed, and with n great
crash of whocls, and iuttcr of silks,
the bnby's mother returned.
so these two, as needs must. came
back to all everyday world, that looked
oil the brighter and better to them for
their brief journey INTO the beautiful
land of love.
Marie Devoll settled her face IN un.
breakablo calm. and Harry lounged
about with even moro than his usual
nonchalance.
Nevertheless, the widow, who was
wise i'll her day and generation, saw more
than they supposed, and picking up
her neglected offspring, left the room.
W1th sigh for the dreams Of lost
youth.
Sho had returned from her drive be-
trothed but instead Of the raptures and
radiance OF first love, her soul was filed
with vague doubts-an uncertainty az
to whether she might not, by longer
waiting, have done even better for her
self.
But no such doubts disturbed the
youthful lovers.
Their days passed as happy dream;
the course Of true love ran smoothly
towards the delightful contamination
OF an carly marriage in the fall.
One night Harry, grown strong in his
new love, determined to destroy every
reminder of TINT first mad passion of
his youth, SO letters burning with ar.
dent devotion, costly keepsakes and
trinkets were ruthlessly destroyed.
@ Having once belonged to that false wo.