The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-04-22

e4tS-
9Ihere is one for whom Hfe.is Fortunate"
unused the artist. "How readily can picture
him attaining maturity, smiling and good
humored, and growing old in that charming
home, surrounded by friends"
The girl had clasped her hands on the young
mans arm, and gazed up into his face. de
responded to this thoughtful scrutiny by
touching her hair lightly, caressingly with
his lips, and then speaking with o careless
laugh:
"Weu, have consented to 60 to Minnesota
for the winter, May. Such nonsense rs it Is.
should prefer Paris or Italy. A mere tritie
of a cough and all the doctors looking so
wise and glum They rejoice to secure
case I suppose.
Nav disengaged her hands from his arm
and plucked cameia. Her face was as un-
troubled Us his own.
II shall return in the spring for our we'd
ding, dearest" he continued. "What
weather-roughened giant you will have for
bridegroom"
"Henry, take me with you," she pleaded,
softly. ADonot 20 away all alone, dear. Lot
us bs married tomorrow"
"Without the Worth trousseau, ma mig
nonne, and great receptionl" he questioned,
half mockingly.
'You should be gallant, and say something
about beauty unadorned, said May, tossing
the camelia at him. ,. ..
Then the brilliant eyes Of the young man
clouded, the rich color in his cheek paled with
the emotion which made bis lips trenble.
"My noble girl! My good little wifep he
whispered, folding her closely in his embrace.
Agnes Clement witnessed this scene without
divining all its significance, and tender smile
daSned on her own face The homely devotion
of Sister Anne to her husband in her cabbage
scented doruinions did not touch her. The
| meeting of the two young people in tho con-
seivatory moved her profoundly. Was not
heS artistic taste gratified by their beauty,
the light shed through the silk curtains be-
hind them, the rosy simmer OF the girls
draperies, and the shadow Of exotic plants
meeting above their heads? She remained
there motionless long after the pair had dis
appeared, her eyes fixed on the fallen plant,
which still rested on the ledge. The stone
work blanched, In contrast, the delicate white
blossoms to SNOW, and the moonbeans touched
each petal with silvery luster. The plant
had been cast out into tic frosty night, to die
aad bo forgotten In the cold purity Of tho
moonlight and beneath the cruel brilliapcy of
thu distant stars. If she could have rescued
it from such death, she would have done so;
but she was powerless to avert evil. Slowly
she returned to her room, extinguished the
light, and sought forgetfulness in sleep. The
journal containing the advertisement OF Lang
g. Co. remained on the floor where she had
thrown it down at an earlier hour.
Next morning her first thought was OF the
neglected plant. Had it survived the night?
What had beco. ne Of it! She hastened to see.
The conservatory sparkled in the morning
light, and the plant remained on the cornlce
ledge. Yes, it had perished during the night
Already tho leaves were shriveled and black
ened, the spray OF blossoms dropped wan and
ghostly in the dawn, retaining the rose tints
of a shell As Agnes looked at it, the early
sunshine, which smote the sparkling colors
from the glass dome, like the prism of crys-
til, also touched the dead flowers with
warm, golden rays. Thus the flower soul
might be absorbed in sunshine and waited on,
she thought.
Suddenly the artist put her hand to her
forehead, as II preoccrpied with thought, her
eyes dilated, and a smile impaired warm
glow to her usually pale face.
At breakfast she was silent, replying
vaguely to the conversation Of her brother
in-law. Afterward she went out, and was
absent two hours. Returning, she shut herself
in the studio, and spread about her recent
! purchases-sheets of paper, new brushes and
box Of water colors. Then she began TO
work, and as she worked q soft, grooming
song weled up to her lips unconsciously.
One Saturday evening, when the little
clerk had returned homo at an early hour
and was warming his feet luxuriously in slip
pers before the fire, he was surprised by the
hasty entrance of Agnes Her face was ami
mated, and she held sheet Of paper in her
| hand.
Humphrey, have decided to compete Tor
the prize of the Easter card" she said,
quietly. pTell me if you like my design,
Husband and wife fastened to inspect the
proffered sketch. They saw ON uprooted
plant caught on stone parapet, the blossoms
still tinged with rose even in death Above