The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-05-07


riding his huge black horse slowly
homeward through the mellow sunset
light Many a maiden had sent him
| shy glances Of admiration; many who
! would have been honored by his hom'
age, since those old days when he was
known as the lover Of Mora Minturn.
But he was not man to give his heart
twice nor to do a woman the injustice
Of Offering her mere affection. So, sur
rounded by his books and dogs, he
lived out his own life at his beautiful
home on the hill.
Halo! Look outw he cried, sud-
denly refining up. by George, but I
nearly rode over your
The old woman coming toward him,
who had so unexpectedly darted for
ward almost under his horses hoofs,
lifted complacent countenance, fran
ed in by an antiquated poke bonnet as
she demanded:
Don't you want to hire my sister
James Eliza, Mr.. Potter"
"Now roared Marion Potter, who was
aware that she was little deafer than
the proverbial post. "Why should II
I have three servants now"
Mrs. Barry comprehended, for she
went on persistently:
"But James Eliza can cook, Mr.. Pot.
ter. An if you take her, you wouldn't
have to be havin' your chilli sauce made
out by Mora Minturn."
Mr. Potter gave start.
"Eh? Steady, Kate! What are you
talking about, Mrs Barry?"
Mrs. Barry did not hear him. She
numbled on, however, and he listened.
"Says I to her, when happened in
there just now, BE you goin' to eat all
that chilli sauce this winter" An she
lowed that she was maxim some Of 1t
for you. Now, If your help amt able to
do that much 'ithout your giyin' it out,
jist think it 'ud pay you to have James
eliza to do your cookin'."
Mr.. Potter nodded leniently. He
swerved his horse to one side, smiled
back at Mrs. Barry, and rode on. Mora
Minturn making his favorlte beefsteak
accompaniment for him!
Of course there was q mistake some
where. But chill sauce! He could not
remember when he had tasted it. To
be sure. his housekeeper was not an
adept at preparing table delicacies.
Why he turned his horses head out
Of the road leading to the Hall and rode
down that which led to the Minturn
homestead, be could not have told to
save his life. Indeed, he was not aware
that he had done so until the tempting
odor Of sliced tomatoes assailed his nos
trils, and at the same second he caught
sight Of Miss Minturn in the garden,
shipping away at some belated blooms
Of marigold, phlox, honeysuckle and
nignonette.
So familiar the scene! So sweet and
peaceful the place! SO suggestive Of
home the trim form moving among the
whitening bushes! Could it be that
twelve years had elapsed since he came
here to visit his sweetheart? He swung
down, secured Kate to the gate-post
and walked up the path.
"Mora!" he said as he neared her.
She Strengthened up. Her garnered
spoils fell from her apron. The pink in
her cheeks deepened. She felt distinct
lively glad that she had put on her new
maroon house gown.
81 met old Mrs. Barry short while
ago." he went on, hastily. "She said
you were putting up some chilli sauce
FOR me-
ooh, did she say that? I could not
make her understand that it was for
old Mrs. Cotter-Mary Ann Cotter Of
The Hollow
81 say! called boyish voice-"that
you, Mr.. Potter? Never knew you come
ND here before. Say-that setter you
gave me is a daisy! Are you going to
stay to supper? Is he, Aunt Mora"
:oaxingly.
"If he will"
"Of course he WILL" decided the un-
conventional nephew Of Miss Mipturn
Come and see my safety"
He dragged his captive off in triumph.
Such a supper as Mora got up in a
short space Of tin might tempt dy-
ing anchorite to eat" The crisp broil-
ed chicken, with the tiny, transparent
rolls of bacon surrounding It; the brown
French fried potatoes, piping hot; the
light, spicy gingerbread; the feathery
biscuit, the old-fashioned strawberry
preserves; the fresh-brewed, fragrant
:ea.
Dick did most Of the talking at sup
per-there was no doubt Of that But
when Mora walked down to the gate
with Mr.. Potter about 8 o'clock he had
two jars Of the chilli sauce, which at
supper he had so praised, under his
,rln.
MORA" he said, II have seldom seen
you for many years, although we have
lived so near together. I'm glad Of this
chance to say how sorry have often
been for my dictatorial tone that time,
years ago. was wholly in the wrong"
"No-no! I was too self-concentrat-
ed. 1t was I who was wrong"
Mora, is it too late to forgive; forget
and amend 2ow|