The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-12-20

! winch the passengers were continually
lighting for their convenience.
Had the youth gone on, to satisfy his
curiosity, he must have fallen into con-
versation with some of the passengers.
| he fact that he had guided one of
their number to Tom Brysous would
have been mentioned, and the crime of
that night must have been promptly
| discovered.
But, after o moment of irresolution,
Edgar Van Wyck continued his way
home. Had he kept on along the
highway this narrative would have a
speedy end.
light was burning in the widow
room when he entered the cottage. %
was about TO so to his chamber len
she called to him.
Don't go yet, Eddie" she said. al
wish to talk with you"
He went into her ro m and sat down.
His mother camo and stood beside him,
ag az aid her ., I'd lovingly upon his
What is it, Edgar?"
His eyes were averted, and sought
the carpet at his feet
20 been so frightened to be loft
alone when that dreadful storm was
raging; and 1 have been anxious tor
you. Where have you been? ?"
He gave little impatient laugh.
"Over to BrySon's."
"You have been there much lately
haven't you?"
lie was silent.
IL think 1 can guess the truth, my
boy. Doyou love that mans daughter ?"
He broke from her caresses; his voice
choked
Love her ?--yes, 1 do You might
God!-O mother, how l love her! |
YOU know all"
He soboed like a girl. Mrs. Van
Wyck looked Mt him pityingly, as q
, mother might do; aud then look of
| resignation and of settled purpose came
| to her benevolent face.
! You say you cannot live without
her. You need not"
DO you mean that, mother?" His
.. eyes were full of hope as they looked
up to her.
| "Why should l not? l have seen
her; she is beautiful, and trust, good.
/ wish she had n better father than
that sour old laborer; but that can't
be helped. They are poor. L am not
rich, but | have enough for us three
until you can do for yourself NV
dear Edgar, l want to keep you with
! ! me for the few ears ttIut shall STAY
here. So bid you marry as you will !;
this shall be home for both of you {;
and may God bless you!"
She wiped tn" tears from her eyes.
| Dear mother-dear, good mother 7"
| His face was radiant as he put his
arms about her neck and kissed her.
Presently other thoughts disturbed
| him.
"4t,s Hs all a]Ioye yell enough" he said, "for
whether she cares for you OF not?"
"Pve never asked her."
HAS she any other suitor?"
mo, am sure not"
and you have never spoken out
not for all these weeks that you have
been going there?"
He told her everything; the simple
story of a diliident boy, almost dumb
before the idolized object of his affec
ton. The widow listened, and smiled.
"My poor, bashful boy, you must be
bolder! Women are never won in that
way. Speak out and tell her the
truth. Where else could she get
better match, about here? You're
young, to be sure; so was your Door
father when we were married. You
may tell her that your mother con-
sents."
"lll see her in the morning, mother.
i won't delay bit longer. I'm going
to know how it is, right Off Your
advice is gooi, and yol're the best
mother tha. ever fellow had"
The mother laughed at the boy e
eagerness, and kissing him good night,
she retired to rest.
Edgar also retired; but not for some
hours to sleep.
The brief conversation in the moth.
er's chamber seemed at once to have
made man of him; the words Of the
kind. induIgent widow had inspired
him with new hope and new conf.
dence.
He resolved that he would go over
to Bryson's early in the morning. He
would go with the traveller to Ayles.
worth because he promised him to
do so, and then ne would return and
learn his fate.
Fatigued, at last, with exultine
thoughts and rosy anticipations, he
fell asleep.
And still-not to his mother-not tc
any person-had lie spoken n word OF
his adventure of that evening; of his
meeting with the traveller, and his
guiding him to Eryson's!
Thoughts of Jessica, hopes for n
bright future with her, had, for the
time, driven the events of the last few
hours from his mind
The survivors of the strange events
we are recording, looking calmly back
upon them from time ten years later
thought that fate itself worked that
night to conceal the dark deed.
| CHAPTER VIII
THE FACE OF DAY
With a start Tom Bryson awoke.
1t was broad daylight; the sunbeams
were creeping in under the window
curtains.
Rapidly his thoughts swept back
! over the events of the night. All came