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

knee with both hands, looked up with
smiling audacity, saying: sYou'd
better let me stay awhile, uncle; you'd
be great deal more comfortable.
There was deep anxiety beneath tue
merry exterior, for she knew we'll how
vital her uncle's favor was. Her mother
was too delicate, her sisters too fine
ladies to work, and the child (she was
not much more, in spite of her seven
teen years. felt as though the burden Of
the family rested on her shoulders.
Her uncle was very wealthy, and if
he only could be brought to forgive her
mother, what happy days they would
81 He had sent once for her two sisters
to spend a week at Glenside-a step to-
ward reconciliation which her mother
had hailed with thankful JOY. But be-
fore the week was out he sent them
both home, saying he couldn't stand
their fine airs; that, since his sister had
chosen to bring up her family to such
idle habits, he would have nothing to
do with them.
The one longing Of the old mans
heart had been for a son to bear his
name. That hope disappointed in the
early death Of his son, he had gradually
grown up into the selfish, gloomy man
Jack found him this fair spring morn
ing.
There was something in her bright,
boyish face that fascinated him; and
now, with warmth that surprised
himself, he said: ssStay if you like,
my, child. It's a dull place within
doors; but there are flowers and sun
shine.;
It was so much kinder than Jack had
dared hope that she could have cried
for JOY.
ooh, you dear uncler' she said, and
kissed his wrinkled old face with an
honest heartiness that he was quick to
feel.
"There, then," he said, impatiently,
as if ashamed Of the unwonted softness
he had shown. "Go and tell cook
you're going to stay, and that she must
give you room and see to your meals.
Do not be afraid if she's cross, " he add
ed, somewhat anxiously; ''she does
not like trouble or work.''
II won't" said Jack, as she ran off.
Hall ;i.l hour later she looked in the
door again saying:
"Come to lunch, Uncle Robert"
"Yes," as he started at her in amaze
ment.
81 know cook always brought you
just what she liked up here because she
did not want you down stairs. There
has been q skirmsh, but it's all right
now. Como for my sake, please.,
Mr.. Doran drew his dressing-gown
moro closely around hlm, and followed
Jack down into the small breakfast
room, which she had chosen because It
was so much pleasanter than the great
oak walnscoted dining room.
a most tempting lunch was spread
upon the round table, and flowers were
intermingled with the dishes in profu-
sion. 1t was pretty to see the air with
which she led her uncle to his place,
then took ber own opposite him-to
satisfy the demands Of her own healthy
young appetite.
ibid cook do all this?' Mr.. Doran
asked, with some curiosity.
"No," replied Jack, blushing. 'sShe
wanted to take you up some smoky
soup, and because I said no, she
wouldn't do anything else, SO I did it
myself, Don't you like it all2" and
she looked anxiously at him.
''You are not like your sisters" he
said, not replying to her question.
'Oh, nol",and Jack shook her head
somewhat dejectedly. "They are very
accomplished-real young ladies, you
know. But, then, I can cook and
sweep, and do things that they can't.n
''But I do not want cook and a
housemaid," said MIR. Doran.
''I think you do" laughed Jack. eff
you had only tasted the soupl''
"Child!" cried MI. Doran, suddenly
catching at her hand, "L'm disap-
pointed, heart-broken old man. If you
could only love me little
81 do, uncle Robert; 1 do, truly!'
said Jack.
And she meant it.; for her warm heart
had gone out at once to the lonely old
man, so unhappy in the midst or his
wealth; and she comforted him now, in
the best way she know, with loving
words that, skeptic as he was, he felt
were honest and true.
81 fear master be a-goin' to die; he
wor never so gentle afore, said cook,
week later.
That very night Mr.. Doran was taken
suddenly and violently ill. Jack heard
his groans, and, fastening to his assist
ance, found him suffering intensely.
"You must go for the doctor, cook;
there's no one else to Co." said Jack.
''Indeed I'll not" replied cook, de-
cisively. Giles been none so good
master to me that I should risk myself
in the dark for him.
''Then watch him while I go,' i'm
plored Jack. ''Do not leave him or
he'll die"
She had been down to the village
once on an errand for her uncle, and
knew she could find her way, but it was
so different now, at night. Brave Jack
for goingl But how her heart fluttered
and her limbs quivered with fear as
She FASTENED on through the starlight.
The way seemed interminable, but at
last the few lights which yet burned in
the village shone out close at hand, and