The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-10-11
TEIE
LITTLE " AIF.
A Story Of Absorbing Interest.
BY BERNARD HERegRr.

tCIIAPTER xvii -CoNrINUED.l
Garland was always considcrate with
the child. He was stern with hcr, but
neycr brutal. He never punished her,
probably because she never required
corrsctioii, being perfect little angel
in her ways =
Though he never showed her any
fatherly affection, occasionally, when ho
had been drinking, he would place her
before him. call her "My Little Lady,"
and wink, saying:
Wait! One Of these days youW
queen it'll"
But then, he was half drunk. No
body needed his drivcl, and they used
to call the man and child Beauty aud
the Beast" or Little Gracio aud old
Nick"
1t was years after she camo there
before Orrin Clifford dcigncl to bcstow
glance upon tho girl; she was kept
out of his way; then, again, what
should 80 morose q gentleman care for
the child OF his servant? Sho was
fully three years old when, ono cxquis-
ite morning in May, Orrin Clifford met
her todtlling along II sunny garden
pathwith her apron filled will, gorgeous
tulips
pallid as death, and when shc turned
to fly from him in alright, he dropped
upon one kReo an,l bockoncd hor ia
him.
Come here, little ono" lie said, in u
low, unsteady tone; "wl,nt is your
name?"
She walked bravoIy up and stood
before him, her great blue eyes looking
wondcringly into his haggarl fucc.
my name is little Oracle" she an
swered.
"Oh, yes,' he murnurc,l; Il know:
you are Gnrland's clild!"
The gardener, who was watching
them from distance, always said that
the little innocent offered to kiss him,
but that he rose quickly and walked
rapidly away, leaving her standing
there with tho big tears yelling into her
eyes.
BE that rs it may, from that time Or,
rim Sltl(6Fd ~ Sxece Garland every day
- 80 La1= h -,ll las,s = "a
woman and lady in every Thought aud
deed.
Small wonder, then, that she went
hale mad whom she rnw him lying dead
murdered in bed-far from tha home
which he had left in search of the
health which would permit him to re-
turn and enjoy it,
It is wonder that tho poor child
was not driven clean ont of her wits
when she discovered the man, whom
she had every reason to belicvc hel
father, in the commission of the foul
crime. However, it was her burden
now to bear tho bitter memories of the
past, and her duty to investigate the
mystery that still cnslirouded her OK.
istence
But for the present we may leave il
all to her and return to oar narrative
Upon a certain spring-likc afternoon
about the middle of the month of April
the unusual sound of carriage wheels
foad t the dooffi 81 the R l5Resbhasc ths YfGA YEfaA
ite mahsion that nestles ut the foot o
the Milton hills.
The sun was slowly declining, shoot
ing crimson lances among the budding
trees and glistening upon the livery OF
the approaching carriage. The equip
age advanced, the higl-stepping horses
glancing from side to side as the birds
and little ground animals scurried away
into the underbrush in alarm
refining up mt the moss grown steps,
the coachman alighted and opened tho
carriage door for the pair seated within
IA lady and gentleman, in whom tho
reader will promptly recognize Mrs.
Cora Boyden and Rupert Arnim.
In silence the two alighted and
mounted the steps to the stone terrace
which surrounded the house. She
leaned upon his arm and watched his
handsome face as he contemplated the
quiet seclusion of his surroundings.
I with the dark lake cleaning like n
shield of black steel below them.
"Well, how do You like the place ?''
she inquired, breaking tho charming
silence.
1t is my ideail" he murmured cn-
Enthusiastically, shading his eyes with his
disengaged hand, and looking off across
tho lake toward the hills beyond, Just
beginning to rustic their vcrnai foliage.
You think you could bo happy
here ?" she asked.
Foreyer!" he answered; forever, if
could only remain"
"Why should you not?"
He turned quickly and met the
glance OF her magnetic eyes bent full
upon him, and he colorcd hotly as lio
replied:
Forever lisa long time i'm this world. y
She broke into a soft, musical laugh
at his solemn words.
What sentimental creature YOU
are!' she exclaimed; sometimes i
think you are not capable of enjoying
tho happiness that lies in your path!
Then you like tie place2"
Thoroughly.
"That Is all ask. Tomorrow I will
Z set . company of people to work to put
house and grounds in order, and on tho
following day we will come out and
take possession.
So soons" asked Arnim in surprise.
Why not?"
lis there not a, great deal to be
donc?p
No; merely airing and dusting the
house, md wedding the paths. NV lear