The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1888-04-21
Evans Sweetheart; or, How She
Loved Him.

II seemeG an Qua answer for
golden-haired child to give when We
asked her name.
II am Evan Routh's sweetheart
She was only the child Of his early
she had received that nickname,
Oddly enough we found ourselves
in Llylworth fifteen years from that
time, and we asked If Evan were mar
ried.
married. Dearl Ma'am, he'll,
never be married; He loved once; he'll
never again.'
''And Winiep Is she still as prettyp
| La she married?'
''Prettyl She's Just beautiful,
ma'aml Her mother was nothing 10
her; for she is so good and sweet and
true. Married. Oh, no; she's had
lovers enough for any girl to pick
from, but she refuses them ALL"
That evening, however, sudden
and fearful tempest broke over Llyl-
worth. No one could sleep. Those
who were IN bed got up again and
dressed.
Mark and I went down to the shore,
for the sea was "a sight to behold.
Among the crowd saw Evan Routh,
and Winie leaning on his arm, while
he protected her from the fierce wind.
Bronzed, weather-beaten and hand
some, he looked certainly more like her
father. They didn't look like lovers.
Suddenly, through the gloom and
] under driving wrack, there appeared
an object which made every woman
utter cry and every man sharply
draw his breath. 1t was a ship-a
'doomed shlp-being driven on the
rocks.
Soon she showed signals Of distress,
seeking help from Tie sf0To. ;.
One man alone answered the appeal
$50 Evan Routh.
Striding forward, facing round to the
others, he cried:
| Lads, who's ready OF you to 20
| with mo to try to saye yonder shipp
| Think, mates, there may be women
and children on boardl"
I There was silence.
"Whatl" he cried, sis there not a
man among your Am I to 30 by my
selfp"
mo; not If can be Of any use."
uttered a cry, for the speaker was
Mark.
"Thank you, sir" replied Evan
Routh. You've got the courage, but
not the skill. YOU'RE not used to the
you've shamed these fellows into
pluck"
Three or four had stepped for.
ward, and soon they began to run
the boat down.
The slip had been hurled upon the
reefs with an awful crash. There was
momentary mountain Of foam. When
1t cleared away the sh,p had gone-not
a vestige remained III view.
What Of the boatp
We looked back to the spot where 1T
had been.
1t was not therel
We waited for it to start up from
the dark trough of, some billow.
1t never camel
"She''s gonel' calculated the crowd.
l locked toward Winie; her stony
face was still turned to the sea. but
she had dropped on her knees.
The men were down at the marge. |
with ropes ready to rush In and try to
save any Of the unfortunate men who |,
might be washed up alive.
Tie women ran to and fro scream
ing, crying, beating their hands in !
pitying despair. !
WiDie remained still kneeIing, mo-
tionless.
Another and another were rescued.
Then farther down the beach some
fishers drew out one and uttered no
cry.
Mark could not stay me; I felt ex-
cited, madl fastened to. the spot. Oh,
Heavenl there helay-handsome calm.
as In sleep-the man who had so
bravely risked his life for others-Eyan
Routh-deadl
The men in their hearts, deep sympa-
thy could utter no sound. But some.
how the truth was OWNED, and others
formed ring around.
Abruptly there was a movement,
whisper:
keep the poor lass back.n
Keep her back? Would it have been
possiblep
Winie had guessed who lay there. I
Her hair loose, and tossed by the wind;
her head uncovered her features stony
but now r!gid with grief, on agony
that could utter no soundI she broke |
her.Way through, and looked upon the |
body.
One low, appalling cry, piercing |
every heart, broke from her lips. She |
sank on her knees, then dropped over |
the dead fisher, her face on his wet
breast, her arms about him tight
tight.
Then SILENCE
Was she weepingp Was her sorrow
too deep for tearap Had she found |
temporary relief from misery In un-
consciousnessP 1a'''
"A space we waited. Then a woman |
stepping to her, STOPPING, gently raised |
her, saying: "a, bon S {s.9
Come; dear lassl take comfort. The
LORDS viii be. donel If man ever went |
TO glory eihas. for he died trying to
saye Othera - '"'