The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1894-09-13

said the GIRL, note "l alalh eNc"plnS:
her. He was here to-day, rs L said
and he is very bitter against YOU. tie
did not threaten yOn openly, but ne
said many things to show that he hates
YOU and that he means to be even WITH
Won for the snuh YOU gave him at the
meeting last week"
s'Just like the coward, Blake sald
anerilv, ''to come with his threats 70
woman. Why doesn't he come to
me and make them?'
sReginald Brown is man not to be
defed," Mary said, putting down her
knitting to conceal the trembling OF
her hands, "and You l 4 best not be
so outspoken. II he should hear you,
YOU might regret it.
"Pshaw," he cried impatientlv, "Im
not afraid OF him. If you want him
Mary, just say so; don't try to scare
me away.
| She 'ooked doubtfully at him a mo-
ment: then anger flashed over her
face, and she said:
I'm not trying to scare You away
Mr.. Brown has probably the same
right to consideration as You. lie
was here to-day, as I have said, just as
you came tonight, TO get q final an
Ewer from me.
"And what answer did you give
him?" he asked impulsiyely.
"Have you right to ask that? But
+ will tell YOU anyhow. I gave him
he same answer I will give you. |
will take my own time to answer.
won't give it to anyone until L am
ready. / have no answer to give you
tonight. That is your answer.
The young man rose slowly, took his
hat from the table and walked toward
the door. Deep dependency was up
on his face as he turned there, and
said:
i MARY, see it all now. You love
Brown. You love him when he comes
to you, trying to win You by threats
of rival, That isn't manly"
!! . "Ha7en't you done just as much?
You have called him names tonight. "
| 'He deserves them. I don't fear
his threats and I'm going to leave You
to him. III take the liberty, though,
Of saying that you'll never be happy
with him. I repeat that he is COW
ard. Goodbye"
lie turned again, and, with sudden
impulse she moved one hasty step
toward him, but determination camo
back to her face, and she restrained
her impulse and let him go ont. Hs
hastened down tho walk to the road,
and turned aside into the path leading
past Blackman's Gully.
Mary walked back to the chair and
resumed her knitting, but soon let it
fall to the floor. She was restless;
looking into the fire moment, then
rising and walking to and fro. Once
she pat on her shawl and q red hood
and stepped to the door, but there She
stopped, took them off, and with q
forced laugh said: "Nonsense, it was
only imagination, or the frost on the
pane" and sat down again by the fire.
, "Of course it was only the frost, .
sho repeated. Il am like a child.
But didn't do wrong. Ii h, is SO in
dependent about not wanting to coma
here to live, can be independent,
too. And then the way he demanded
my answer. I just won't stand it, and
I'll"
She was interrupted by the distant
crunch Of the frozen snow under run
ming steps. They came rapidly near!
tr, and when they turned into th5
yard, she leaped up and stood ready to
receive the conner. Her father hur-
ried in, his face pale and startled. ;,
"Mary, get bed ready at once,
he said. ''There have been terrible
1oings this night.
"What?" she asked forbodingly. :
"You will know soon. A man has
been thrown over into Blackman's
Gully. AS was coming home [ saw
him lying part way down the steep
side, where he had lodged against q
tree. It's mighty lucky it's moon
light, or he'd have frozen to death, il
he's not already. I reused the neigh
bors and they're bringing him here:
Be quick and prepare the bed" !;
"Father," she asked, tremulously'
catching his hands, ''tell me right:
out. It's James; know it's James.
isn't it?'
eyes, it's James"
The willfulness with which she had
driven him away died now like spark
On the heerth, and gave place to an,
anxiety which would have rendered her
helpless to get ready for his coming
had not her father sternly bade her
obey.
The unconscious man was brought in;
and placed in the bed. While q
physician, who had accompanied the
carriers, was examining his INJURIES!
Mary followed the men down stairs.
She was thoroughly active and earnest
now, and calling their attention in the
sitting-room, she said:
"Men, Reginald Brown has done
shis. l know it. He was here this
afternoon and he threatened Mr.,
Blake Mr.. Blake was here tonight,
md when l told him of Browns threats
ae called him a coward At the mo-
nent he called him coward I saw a.
ace in the window there. I told my
,clf at the time it was only tho shape
,! Tie lrost Oh the pane, but now
know it was Brown locking in. He
heard Mr.. Blake call him coward, and
be has pushed him into the gully for
that and other reasons. Go and do
your duty"
The accusation was as draft of air
rpon their smouldcring hatred OF
Brown. The whispers of the lie he