The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-06-21
BY THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN.


There was a tiny circular garden,
filled to overflowing with mnsies, ge-
raniums and roses; house which look
ed like a magnificent pepper box, COM
pletely hidden from view by masses of
hop vines, honeysuckles, and the red
blossoms of some flower beans. The
noon sun poured its-hot beams over
everything, making the dusty leaves
sparkle as if some benevolent fairy had
powdered them with diamond dust.
In contrast to the outside heat and
glare, Ruy Blasmont, sauntering along
the shaded piazza in his spotless white
linen suit, seemed a perfect miracle of
GOODNESS. lie was Il slim, handsome
man, about thirty, with regular feat
ures and Il light olive complexion. His
hair and the small black mouStache he
wore We'd with hiseyes in intense black
hess. Such eyes! they spoke when their
owners eyes were silent, and expressed
whatever he intended.
lie putfed lazily at a cigar, and taking
his stand where the shade fell dark,
looked out Oh the sun-beaten road.
"Parbleaul" he muttered. "What
care I for heatp Heat is my element.
1t Is well-for doubtless I'll have enough
OF it some day." And he laughed sar-
donically. II think I'd rather enjoy a
war with his Satanic Majesty" lie
paused an instant. "Al'VEMereN lie
comes-the young farmer. What brings
him at this hour?'
~ young man had just rounded the
corner OF the nearest house, and was
coming toward the Blasmont garden.
a stalwart, brown-faced man with q
frank, open look. He nodded slightly
to Ruy BlaSmOnt, and said:
''ls Miss Rose at homer"
'N1ademoiselle Blasmont is not at
home," her brother answered, slightly
raising his eyebrows and playing with
his mouStache, to show the large dia-
mond ring that glittered on his right
hand.
John Brightly hesitated. He did not
believe Ruy Blasmont's assertion. He
distrusted him too greatly to credit any
thing he might say; besides, he did not
feel inclined to rctrace his way through
the hot fields without accomplishing the
end for which he had come.
His hesitation did not last long. A
petite figure, clothed in some airy fabric
Of pink andaWhite, came hastily through
the French window. 1t was Rose Bias
mont.
'Oh, Mr.. Brightlyl" she exclaimed,
smiling and Offering her hand. 81
thought l. heard your voice."
81 understand from what yCur bro
ther said that you were not at home. "
"Why, he knew"-she began, but
she had too much tact to continue.
81 meant" said Ruy Blasmont, with
lnSOIant ~ lnh, RriI ri, A lIY
that my sister might not be at home to
Neutrality-suspicious."
John Brghtly's face flushed, but he
Rose laid hand on his arm, and whis-
pered:
''Poor Ruy isn't well. lie is-what
do you Americans call it?"
"lnsolent," John Brightly could not
help saying.
"Oh, no, no, no. Only little vexed
Gross. Come into the parlor 1t, is
much cooler there. Quo vout etes
bon! Ces tlcurs son magnihquesl' she
exclaimed, catching sight Of the largo
clusters OF water-Iilies that Brightly
carried IN his hand.
''You forgot that don't understand
FRENCH" he said, smiling for the first
time, as he followed her into the parlor.
"Ah, Quill What pityl But I am so
thankful to you. / must sing at Mrs.
Moreland's garden party tonight, and
these are the veritable flowers l love
most to Wear."
stYou told me SO last evening"
"And therefore you walked through
the hot sun to bring them. How good
you are ~
''It is not such sacrifice. This is
my dinner hour you know. We far
mers arc extremely busy just at present,
80 l snatched sufficient timo to pay YOU
a visit.''
'"Thcn you will lunch with us. Elk.
cuso me for one instant, and will pre-
pare"
mo, wish to speak to you."
"Strawberries and cream Can YOU
resist the temptation2" she said, laugh.
ing, and trying to escape. 'Besldes
you never tried my sponge cake. -,
'Rose, he said, gravely, "give me a
few moments. have something to say
to YOU"
Ruy Blasmont drew near the win,
dow. and arranged himself in a com.
Portable position for hearing all that
might be said.
Rose resumed her seat, her eyes cast
down and the color varying in her face,
II have q question to ask yon, Rose
Viii you be my Wifep"
Ruy whispered through tile lace cur.
tain a sibulant ''no.n
Rose heard the word and turned pale
TO her, her brother's will was lazy.