The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1888-04-05


como to think, I can borrow o little oil
stove, you Gun furnish the batter and
the frying pan. and tonight we will 60
down and take hlm some. hut perhaps
you are afraid to go with me, as I am
a stranger to youp"
Mary looked shyly at him and hes
itated for q moment. Then she said:
"But l have seen you in the restau
rant. haven't IP And I think you eau
bo trusted. You don't look like a
very bad man. You bring the oil
stove around Tonight at 6 O'Clock
when the restaurant closes. aud will
have the batter and the grIddle ready"
All day long Mary sang at her work
and smiled to herself In anticipation OF
the meeting. Sometimes, however, she
became grave when she thought of her
father. But her recollection OF him
was very indlstinct and associated only
with oaths and blows. at 6 O'Clock the
restaurant was closed and Mary
stepped out upon the walk with tin
pail in her hand containing batter, q
small griddle wrapped in paper under
her arm, and o nice piece Of salt pork
to grease the griddle in her pocket.
Jack was already there with small
oil stove. He was walking up and
down the sidewalk impatiently. They
went across to Centre street and from
thence to Pearl. They said very little,
and were content to know that each
was near to the other. On reaching
the tenement they felt rather than saw
their way up the dark stairway. Mary
was frightened at the dismal look Of
her fathers room, but Jack cheered
her. Mr.. Rogers was awakened by the
opening Of the door. Jack turned his
back on tho meeting between Mary
and her father. but he beard feeble and
broken acknowledgements Of past
weakness and promises for the future.
When he turned ana came to the bed
side he saw two wet faces, one soft
ened and repentant, the other hopeful
and shining,
Do you think you could eat some
pancakes, fatherp" said Mary.
"Oh, dear, could av I had some lv
yer mothers maxim, Mary. Pm feelin'
better already since ye kem,n and he
raised himself on his pillow to show
his strength.
"But, father, 1 can make you some,
and I'll warrant mother never made
better,'' said Mary, looking archly at
Jack.
And 80 the pancakes were made.
Jack lit the wick In the stove and
creased the griddle, while Mary poured
out the batter, and the savory smoke
arose like incense In the dismal room
and made Mr.. Rogers sniff cheerily.
He sat up In bed, bolstered by pill
lows. and ate two Of the cakes. ALI
the time his eyes followed the trim
form Of his daughter Us she tidled up
the room. The lovers remained with
him until late into the night. Then Jack
took Mary to her boarding house, and
the wicked young man actually kissed
her at the door. She ran up stairs and
looked In the glass to SEQ If his lips
had left mark on her cheek. The
next morning she ran down to see her
father and make him comfortable for
the day.
Under the watchful care Of Jack
and Mary the old inan slowly became
stronger, and III q few weeks was
about again. He did not return to his
old habits, and forsook tho tenement
for two rooms In moro pretentious
locality, where Mary went with him to
keep house. The other day there was
a quiet wedding, at which Mary anu
Jack wore the principals and few
choice friends the spectators. The
chief dish at the wedding feast was a
big plate Of pancakes baked by the
bride.
Now the many persons who pass the
restaurant daily look In the window,
but they look in vain for the cook.
She is baking pancakes for only two Of
the hungry persons.