The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-02-14

! "Your watch and pocket-bcoS, and
quick, too, parson, Pm in hurry. "
"Supposlng I do not choose to give
up my valuables? And 70 tell the truth
here he seized his shotgun, and aim
ing directly at the man, added-"l do
not choose. Now, drop that pistol a.
once. Turn about is fair play.
His astonished assailant did as com
manded. without speaking a word.
They were very near the brink OF a
ravine, the descent of which, although
possible, was steep and uniavitlng.
Now" Ralph said, ''you may gC
down that bluff, and quick, too, for
Pm in hurry"
And he still held his gun in a man
ner very uncomfortable for the would
be robber. The latter looked down the
descent and then, completely demoral-
lied, removed the mask from his face
and revealed the features Of Dick Law"
son.
81 cannot go down there, Mr.. Us
borne" he said, "and own myself
beaten"
He presented such a very rueful pic
ture as he uttered these words that
Ralph could with difficulty keep from
laug Ministers, however, must
learn to control their impulses; and
although the muscles of his mouth
twitched suspicuously, he spoke with q
gravity most beftting the occasion.
'sDick Lawson" he inquired, "dC
you know what I feel strangely tempt
ed to do?"
"No, sir"
"Then I will tell you. I have an
almost Irresistible desire to get out of
my buggy and give you the biggest
thrashing you ever had in your life"
If the young man was surprised be-
fore. he Was still more 80 now, and with
deprecating look he replied:
~ believe, of the two, I had rather
you would use your shotgun.
81 will not do either if you will tell
me frankly and honestly what this
masquerading means, and why you
have cherished such evident spite
against me-"
s:Do you suppose I and my friends
like to see strange parso2 come here
and cut US all out with pretty girl?"
"What pretty girl?'' Ralph inquired
although he suddenly felt very much
enlightened in regard to the conduct of
the young men toward himself.
Laura Dunning, of course"
"You say I have cut you all out
How do you know that? I do not
believe Miss Laura ever said anything
of the kind, and I am very sure that !
have not.''
"Just as if we could not see with our
own eyes! Aren't there girls enough
outside of Ashtonville?"
"Mr. Lawson, you are talking very
foolishly. I certainly shall not deny
myself the pleasure of Miss Dun1ing's
society until she ceases to greet me
cordially. But we have no right,
either of US, to discuss the preferences
of young girl. Now, as you seem
dislnclined to descend that bluff,
perhaps you will dine with me? OF
course, the message from Mrs. Greely
was not genuine" "
'sNo, sir. I do not care to ride, but
Mr.. Osborne, shall you tell anyone
of this"'
':You would prefer not to have ii
mentioned, I presume, I will agree to
that on condition that you attend
church next Sunday to hear the sermon
I shall preach for your benefit"
81 promise to be there"
'And you have learned that a man
may be preacher without necessarily
being coward?'
"You are the pluckiest fellow ever
saw"
And so they parted.
81 have cut them all out with that
sweet girl, they say" was the minis.
ter's thought.
Il will see for myself"
He did. And Laura made her hus
bands home as bright and happy as
she had made that of her parents.