The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1888-04-24
TRI- w EEKLY EDITION

mission to win me for q wife?n she de-
manded, quickly. 2"
"Well-no-not exactly" he answer
ed, hesitatingly. "His father visited
me, and we
Thought it might be q good thing
to unite the families, suppose" inter-
rupted Jessie. 81 thought that was
the way Of it. Leon has been a brother
to me so long a time thatwe shall never
think Of any closer relationship. But
you spoke Of fifth one. Who was
thatr'
''That2 Oh, that young Lee, you
often see go by with a tin dlnner-pail in
one hand.n
And John Wilmot looked the disgust
which he could not speak.
'"What did you answer himp"
Jessie's voice was ominously calm,
like the hush before a tempest.
81 let Sam answer him with the toe
of his boot. I had no words to waste
on such-such a person, and Sam kick.
ed him out"
And by John Wilmots face one would
have thought him the injured party.
''Kicked him outl" repeated Jessie,
Indignantly, as she arose and stood be-
fore her father with flushed cheeks and
defiant eyes. "Isn't such a person.
worthy of consideration, papa2 Isn't
Harold Lee honest and manly?"
81 suppose so, but-BIess my soul,
Jessaminel believe you have a fool
ish liking for the fellow. If really
thought SO, I'd" and John Wilmot
gasped for breath.
81 will never marry without your
consent, papa" said Jessie with danger
Gus sweetness. "But you know you
just said that I must decide such an
important affair myself. I surely do
like Harold Lee, and I5surely shall not
marry until 1 marry himf'
"Got to your room, nlissl' shouted
John Wilmot. "You can stay there
until you come to your senses"
"Thank you, papa. You will think
better Of this, and keep your word,
know" answered Jessie, as she moved
toward the door. 81 will go to my
room, but ! will not promise to stay
there"
And she did not stay there.
'G'Sile moved restlessly back and forth,
picking few valued trinl1ets into
small leather travelling bag, together
with one or two of her plainest dresses,
clothed herself in a close-ftting riding
habit, and then waited until darkness
and silence fell over the earth.
Then she stole out into the night,
caressed the house-dog moment, roll
ed the stable-door noiselessly back, sad
died her own pony with nervous haste,
mounted and rode down the village
street, along the bank Of the noisy
stream, and Unto the mountain road
that led to the popular summer resort
twenty miles away.
She did not clearly know what she
intended to do, save that she intended
to frighten her father into acquiesc-
enCe.
In Reading she had an aunt whom
she but dimly remembered, but who
she felt sure would aid her IN her
cheme.
Jessie patted the poney's neck en-
couragIngly, as they entered the dark
woods and hummcd tune to quiet her
own fear.
How dark this mountain forest wasl
and how still only the weird, long cry
of some night-bird, and the beats of her
pony's feet, broke the stiffness.
She could almost hear her own startl-
ed heart throbs, but she would not turn
back.
Four miles were speedily covered.
She was now half way to the top of tho
mountain, but the other half was steen
and tiresome.
On the other side the descent was
smoother and more gradual. She was
becoming used to the strange ride, and
rather enjoyed her freedom.
But harkI Away down the noun
tain, from the thickets she had Just
passed, came q dismal sound-a long
drawn slgnal-the eager howl Of the
hungry timber wolf when it has scent
ed preyl
The pony heard it and leaped convul
slvely forward, while Jessie shrieked
aloud.
Some one else heard it, too, and the
cry for help. Harold Lee, indignant
and enraged, had resolved to shake the
dust of Bingham from his feet, and try
his fortunes elsewhere.
His employer wished to send a new
road-sprinkle to Reading, and tho ten
dollars earned by driving it there was as
acceptable to Harold as any other hon.