The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1890-01-17

any assistance in his power, and told
her that she might freely call upon for
help, ut any time
1t isn't want of money that is likely
to trouble me, my dear young sir, !"
she said, while the tears fell fast. al
nave more than enough to keep me the
rest of my poor life, but L don't know
what to do with myself till am called
to Join my husband and the children
who have gone before. I'm a poor,
lonely soul now; everything has been
torn from me that cared for. I can't
stay IN this desolate house, and 1 don't
know where to CO."
hsndaIl Belmont was possessed of O
sudden idea. and he acted upon it in.
stantly. He told the widow that ihis,
search had at last convinced him that
| ms father must be dead that his mother
mad died many years before. He said
that he was the joint heir, with two
married sisters. of immenss wealth.
Vsssl6s s5in ma q isasAf SsSd ~ Il:
am not married" he pursued, cal
though INhope to be. some day. 1 shall
need q housekeeper at once on my re.
turn home. and she need not leave me
II should chance to marry. have
prefer to you for such a post. Come
with me, then, to the city, when 1 re-
turn, which will not be long hence;
take this place, where you Will be use
iui, and find pleasant occupation. You
Will there make hosts of friends who
Will help to make your loss sorrowful
memory, instead of an ever-present
grief"
The widow was startled by this sud-
den and unexpected proposition, and
rejected moment before she an
swered:
You are very kind to me Mr.. Bel
mont" she said, land I feel like ac-
cepting your generous offer right away
"Well?D
Il don't believe Id do. I'm not used
TO your city ways; you don't know me
well enough yet to risk such an Offer"
I'm per.ectly willing 10 take the
tremendous risk of this matter" he
replied, with smile. "But I've an
other proposition to make to YOU, Mrs.
Van Wyck; and since you think am
acting hastily in the first one, the Sec
ond may show you that l am not.
Ever since l came to this vicinity l have
stopped ut the inn at Aylesworth.
Acquaintances [ have mado in the
village, but no friends; there is moth
ing TO bind me to the place for n day.
MY search is now practically finished
so that can dispense with all heE the
mediately. I'd like to settle Isere, if
village tomorrow. .aay1 come Afor a
you will tstsHne for boarder Hut
few WY SEQ ou have n shed N
tAo. whore can keep my horse.
MS way we can become perfectly ac-
uainted L can. be useful to Won. II
hhs hs 9rU,r r!e'rSa t3tu5 sz111 -an tn {.
'ffer have made to you, promise
hat VIII frankly tell you so."
We need not give the details of the
that followed. Enough
hat it ended with the grateful approv-
j and consent of the widow, and Bel
mont shortly took his leave.
So strange are tho changes that even
10 little time as three days may bring!
But three days had passed since n
ove-sick, half-,raZed youth had, in
lis desperation, attempted the murder
IF his rival. Three days only! That
youth was dead ara buried, and his
.ival, before pushing his suit with the
object of the boys hopeless passion,
'eemed likely to take his own place in
he affairs of his mother.
AS Belmont mounted his horse, Mrs.
Van Wyck ran to the door with sud-
len exclamation:
40, Mr.. Belmont! ] didn't think.
How can ever go so far from where
my dear ones are buried" ?"
"You shall come back here for
week every spring." lie answered with
out hesitation.
"You dear, kind soul!'
He rode rapidly away. His thoughts
were busy with plans for the future.
His mind was turning away from the
mystery of his fathers fate, and con-
corning itself with himself. He
thought that he had satisfied filial du-
ty by his long, painful, and fruitless |
search. 1t was time to think of the
living. He regarded the arrangement
he had just made with the widow with
great satisfaction. A brief day-dream
came to him, of Jessicl as his bride,
and he thought how good it would be
to relieve her at first Of the oversight
and care of the great city house.
Filled with such pleasant thoughts
as these, he gave his horse loose rein,
and the animal gallopel swiftly along.
A female figure approached as he
rode on. With n great bound of his
heart, DO reeognized her of whom he
had Just been thinking.
He drew rein SO suddenly that his
horse fell back upon his launches.
When the animal recovered his feet she
had hurried past.
He turned and called to her.
"Jessica! Jess;ca! Miss Brysonl"
She neither stopped nor answered.
Yet he was certain that it was she.
He could not be mistaken in her fig
ure; and he had a passing glimpse of
her face.
Yes, it was sure ,'he. She would
not answer him yould not stop at
his call.
He sat in In. Lille. motionless,
watching the ia. -etreating figure,