The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-10-11
THE
LITTLE WAIF.
A Story Of Absorbing Interest.
BY BERNARD HEReERr.
ICHAprER XVII .CoNTINukD.I

ICHAPrER XVII. .CoNIINUED.I
Garland was always considcratc with
the child. He was stern with her, but
never brutal. lie never punished her,
probably because she never required
in her ways.
Though he never showed her any
fatherly affection, occas vnally, when he
had bccn drinking, he would place her
before him, call her "My Little Lady"
and wink, saying:
Wait! One of these days youW
queen it"
But then, he waa half drunk. No
body needed his drivcl and they used
to call the man and child Beauty and
the Beast" or Little Gracic aud old
Nick"
1t was years after she came there
before Orrin Clifford lrigmc;! 20 bcstow
glance upon the girl; she was kept
out of his way; then, again, what
should so morose a gentleman care for
the child of his servant? She was
fully three years old when, one cXuuis-
itc morning in May, Orrin Clifford met
her tCddling along sunny garden
path with her apron filled with gorgeous
tulips.
lie started at sight of her, turned IN
pallid ns DEATH and when she turned
to fly from him in alright, he dropped
upon one knee aml bockunrd hCr to
him.
Come here, little one, hc said, in :.
low, unsteady tone; "what is your
namc?"
She walked bravcly up and stood
before him, her great blue eyes looking
wondcringly into his haggarl face.
MY name is little Gracir," she All
swered.
"Oh, yes he murmurca; Il Know;
you arc Garland's clild"
The gardener, who was watching
them from u distance, always said that
the little innocent offered to kiss him,
but that he rose quickly and wiihrG
rapidly away, leaving her standing
there with the big tears yelling into her
eyes.
BE that rs it may, from that time Or,
rim Clifford saw Grace Garland every day
-Asli-.li f-A-.,,,.l t.sn.-l." ml.. sui, pa sha
woman and II lady III every thought and
deed.
Small wonder, then, that shc went
half mad when sic SAW him lying dead
Murdered in bcd--far from the home
which he had left in search of the
health which would permit him to re-
turn and enjoy it.
1t is wonder that the poor child
was not driven clean ont of her wits
when she discovered the man, whom
she had every reason to believe her
father, in the commission of tho foul
crime. However, it was her burden
now to bear the bitter memories of the
past, and her duty to investigate the
mystery that still cnShroudcd her OK
istcncc.
But for the present we may leave it
all to her and return to oar narrative.
Upon II certain sprinSlikc afternoon
about the middle of the month of April
the unusual sound of carriage wheels
road to rrd d66rr ii tho h 3icsbfiHic hH wffff wHfff
lite mansion that ncstIcS ut the foot of
the Milton hills.
The sun was slowly declining, shoot
ing crimson lanccs among the budding
trees and glistcning upon the livery of
the approaching carriage. The equip:
age advanced, the higl-stcpping horses
glancing from side to side as the birds
and little ground animals scurricd away
into the undcrbrush in alarm.
refining up ut the moss grown steps,
the coachman alightcd and opened the
carriage door for the pair seated within
"A lady and gentleman, in whom the
reader will promptly recognize Mrs.
Cora Boydcn and Rupert Arnim.
In silence the two alightcd aud
mounted the steps to the Ston1 terrace
which surrounded the house She
leaned upon his arm and watched his
handsome face rs lie contemplated the
quiet scclusion of his surroundings,
with the dark lake cleaning like II
shield of black steel below them.
"Wcll, how do you like the place 2"
she inquired, breaking the charming
silence.
at is my ideal" he murmurcd en-
Enthusiastically, shading his eyes with his
discugagcI hand, and looking of across
the lake toward the hills beyond, Just
beginning to rustic their vcrnal foliage.
You think You could he happy
hcrr?" she asked.
Forever" ne answered; 4" rover, if
could only remain"
why should You not
lie turned quickly and met the
glance of her magnetic eyes bent full
upon him, and he colurr,l hoiy .,S he
ltJlltu.
"Forcvcr is long inc in this world"
She broke into II soft, musical laugh
at his solemn words.
"Wlat II sentimental creature vou
arCr she exclaimed; sometimes ]
think YOU a,c not capable of enjoying
the happiness that lies in Your path
Then You like the place."
"Thoroughly.
"That is all | ask. Tomorrow I will
set company of people to work to put
house and grounds in order, and on the
following day we will come out and
take possession.
so soon?" asked Arnim in surprise.
"Why not?"
"ls there not great deal to be
donc?"
"No; merely airing and dusting the
house, and wedding the paths. My dear
,l,. Il l.. I ~