The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-02-28
TRI-WEFKLY EDITION.
"Oh, goodness graclous!' exclaimed

''OA, SCoNu0o' SioeAoS.
Jessie.
the old gentleman had seated him
self on the settle, and was lifting the
blossoms from their nest of lilac leaves
with his yellow, taper Old fingers.
hats the matter?" he demanded
s:I've made a mistake, and left the
pepper grass at Mrs. Gales, where
should have delivered the sweet peas.
"Well, you'll have TO take her some
more, because I'm going to keep
these. And what's more, l want
bunch every day while they last. Then
bring me anything else you've got
that's sweet-smelling and old-fash
ioned."
So Jessie went back to Mrs. Gales,
explained her error, and promised tc
bring in fresh flowers that very day.
When she reached home her mother
met her with white, frightened face.
"Jlm?" questioned Jessie, IN a Whls
per.
ooh, Jessie, it's brain feverp'
After that, the need that the fruit
and vegetables contracted for should be
delivered in proper condition and with
regularity was more imperative thar
ever.
And the care Of this fell on Jessie.
She did her best with the inefficient
help she could secure, but she had
Meth her mothers skill nor experience,
and before long the little garden be-
trayed neglect. The sales fell off. Fin
ally there came 3 day when tie needs
.outstripped the dollars, and mother
and daugheer looked at each other With
eyes full of dumb dread.
Write to grandpapa. He will help
W.. He is rich, you say"
dear, my marriage displeased him.
l frequently tried to meet him after
ward, he refused to see me. wrote;
my letters were returned unopened. l
do not know if he is living or dead. We
need money; we can neither earn nor
beg it. We must sell our little home"
That evening a neighbor condition
ally consented to buy the property, and
the next morning Jessie took IN
cluster of mignonette and verbenas tc
Mrs. Sexton's eccentric cd lodger.
II think these are the last I can
bring, slr,' she said, when be had
paid, as he always did, generously.
"Why, what are you crying for?" he
asked, sharply.
Then she told him.
"Look here, Jessie-that's your
name, isn't it'll go out myself and
see the place where you are growing
things so good to smell; some so good
to eat. If like it, I'll loan your
mother a hundred dollars and take it
outin flowers. That would tide you over
your hard times, wouldn't it?'
ooh, yes, sir-yesl Less than that."
She had heard q great deal of the
peculiar ways and immense wealth OF
cold Mister Ralph" as Mrs. Sexton's
star boarder was called, but she had
not expected such an offer as this.
She half doubted that he would keep
his word, but be did.
He appeared at sunset in the little
flower garden before the small gray
cottage.
Jessie, laughing and crying, met him
at the door.
'The doctor says" she cried, "that
Jimmie Will gel better.
But old Mister Ralph was not look
ing at her. He was staring beyond her
at a spare little woman with sweet,
care-worn face.
A queer choking cry broke from hi
lips. He took step forward.
"Mary--my daughter, MaryH
"FatherI"
She was sobbing all her sorrowful
heart out in his arms.
"Why did you never come to see
me?' he asked, half an hour later, as
they sat together by the little vine-em-
powered window. "You never even
wrote. was willing to forgive you.
My heart ached for you"
"Aunt Dora said you would not see
me. called several times. Ny letter:
to you were returned unread" "
'Mary, is this true? We must not
speak i'll Of the dead-and she is gone.
But I can see now that she tried to
ALLEVIATE US in order that I should leave
my property to her children. A year
ago I sold out in Pittsburg and came
to Bloomington. I'll buy beautiful
place that is vacant not far from here.
1t is called Restwood. Assoon as the
laddie can be moved we will 60 there to
live. No more poverty. Mary. Jessie,
turning fondly to her, "why did you
not tell me your name in full?'
"Nobody asked me, sir!' she quoted
archly.
They are at Restwood now. Mrs.
Fletcher is getting the roses of her girl
hood back. Jimmie is still little dazed
by the luxury of his surroundings.
And often when Jessie brings her
grandfather bouquet OF fresh, frag-
rant, old-fashioned flowers, she thinks,
with happy heart, of the day that she
delivered to Mr.. Gale pepper grass m
stead of sweet peas.