The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-05-13

:&>#::. .>>'I39 elevated ground
E:;:i::.:" :1IG while Briar Lodge
c;:A.:;;IiSsSsZ. 49, -: ~ nestled in hollow,
But if the two inmates of this abode
were w-bouud, that fact troubled
them little. They were all in all to each
other, this mother and daughter, whose
kingdom was their home, so they could
afford to laugh at the vagaries of the
weather.
They were very companiouable; fol
whether throu n the influence of Mil.
dIed Vicars's healthful flow of spirits, On
the still unquenched fire of the mothers
youth, the years had passed lightly over
the older woman's head. Her figure
still retained its graceful outlines, her
soft skin was unwrinkled, her glossy
black hair scarcely showed silver thread.
A woman, one could see, who had care
fully husbanded the best years of her
HE, so now at the harvest-time there
were no disappointing tares among the
golden grain. The mother was in tbe
fullness and perfection of maturity. and
the daughter in that sweet first glow OF
youth-ialr of face and joyous by nature
as girl of nineteen should be.
Briar Lodge was fitting bower fo,
two such charming women. It was the
home of Mrs. Vicarss girlhood, where, as
Madeline Hunt, she had made it tn,
most attractive place on the hillside.
The Prince came at last, invaded
Briar Lodge and took Madeline captive;
but he died in the flush of happiness.
Little Mildred gave warmth to he
mothers life, urging her to cast off the
blightlng influence of her sorrow; and
Madeline's nature blossomed afresh. ali
the better and stronger for its crucial
test. Though many of the old suitor
again surrounded her, the beautiful
lonely woman only twined her affection.
more closely about her little daughter.
Alter a longer stay than usual, the
snow was beginning to melt, and one
bright afternoon Nil lred Wears armed
herself with light snow shovel, AMI
sailed forth to aid the sun in his work.
from beneath her jaunty seal-skin cap
her bright face glowcd with the stirring
c'crcl'e' and snatches of song rose to her
hpS, foating on the clear thin air down
among the frozen hollows and out upon
Tue broad stretch of moorland. Her ewes
were often turned in this direction. until
certa darS spot on the horizon took
more definite shLrr. Then the color
dccpened in her cuteks, and she bent to
ner voluntary labor as if her daily bre ad
dcrcnd"i upon 1t. Nearer and nearer
came the hurrying figure of q young man,
whose steps were bearing directly down
upon Btiar Lodge. Reaching the prickIy
hedge he called softly, "Mildredi Mil.
dred"
The gill dropped her shovel and turned
quickly around, moet;ng pair of ardent
eyes that caused her own to fall in some
confusion.
"I-I am glad to see you home, Her
bert. When did you arrive2 AS she
spoke she cane slowly up to the hedge
that divided them, aad reached over her
little gloved hand In greeting to the new
conner, who caught and kissed it passion
atcly before he released it.
''Didu't you know | was coming to-
dayT he asked reproachfully. "l am
sure YOU expected lie, Mildred. Answer
me truly. clunot believe that you
have forgotten"
Forgotten! oh, MOI" returned Mil.
dred gu ckly. al thpught-I imagined
well if you must nave it did look
for you day"
Herbert Overton's face grew radiant.
"Have you no warmer welcome for
me. May i yaqt ro~o rul l}SUssesso r. 'hffftseefT
OF her hand, across the intervening bar
rier.
Yes" she veptured slowly, "and-
and mother says you may stay to tea il
you like"
There was a tremor in the soft voice
but Mildred shot rosuish look at hin
from under her long lashes, aud the
young man waited for no second bid
ding. Another moment and he was be
SIDE her. grasping both hands, aud try.
ing to read the pretty downcast face.
'What am | to understand by this,
hildredF he demanded in a low, eager
tone.
She did not withdraw her hands, but
with an impulsiye movement she nestled
closer to his side, and answered almos,
IN whisper: whatever you wish, dear
Herbert"
ihch thcy ioSI s'Sht vi tiine anu place,
and fell to planning their future, as only
happy lovers can.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wears sat alone with
ner thoughts, marve.lns as the short af.
'crnoon wore on, at the intricate weav
ing OF circumstances which had brouph,
these young people together She wa,
hanktul that it was so, for it partly Of
aced an act Of her own which had cos
her many bitter pang OF seIf-reproach
She had once been engaged to Colonc
OVerton, Herbert's uncle and Guardian
but with the dawn of her love for Ash!e,
Wears she felt that she could no Longer
.eep her promise. He released her-It
was all he could do-for her happincs.
vas his rirst thought. But from thai
day he never set foot in Briar Lodge