Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-04-14

e,JasiuY irom t!c "'1duE saa secs
The han-s2-o s.oisns, win their mer-
ry occupants, dash past, she wonders
could it be she who, one short year ago,
revelled like these, the gayest of the
gay? ,.,,
''Miss IIoring," a sweet, childish
voice cries, interrupting he, reverie,
mamma sayswill you not join US in a
ride? There is vacant seat in the
sleigh, and she should be very glad to
have you fill it"
Certainly, dear; I will be there in
o moment" and, rising to her feet,
she donned her outer wraps and hast
ened to meet Mrs. Elwood in the hall
below.
Before the door stood two sleighs,
one that belonged to her hostess, the
other beautiful little cutter, with u
pair of prancing steeds, held by a
groom in full livery, while in the
drawing-room sat Its owner, waiting
for Miss Elwood, the daughter of the
house, who had this winter made her
debut ii society.
Edith, unconscious OF any ones
presence, ran hastily into the room to
see if Mrs. Elwood awaited her, and
for moment the blood surged up in
a glad tide, for there before the open
fireplace stood Douglas Rallings,
alone. He had come then OF last |;
but her outstretched hand drops to
her side, her look of happy surprise
vanishes. as she reads in his face only
utter amazement at her sudden appar-
ition. In moment she realizes it is
not she whom he seeks.
"Pardon me, Mr.. Rallings. I
thought the drawing-room deserted,
or expected to find only Mrs. Elwood.
I imagined you were abroad"
81 returned only last week, and this
is most welcome surprise. May l
not tell you how very glad am to
find you? Are you visiting Mrs. Ell
wood?"
81 am residing here permanently,
as Mrs. Elwood's governess. Good
morning"
"Stay, Edith; why are you so cold?
Let me be your friend-do something,
anything to tighten your burden. 7"
"Thank you. My own shoulders
are sufficiently broad to bear any bur-
den laid upon them. Once more,
good morning." and in another mo-
ment Edith stepped into the sleigh
beside Mrs. Elwood, and was whirled
from his sight. AS he turns moment
later to meet Miss Elwood, there is
perplexed look in his face which he
can scarcely hide in the smile OF well
come he so well knows how to assume.
But she detects nothing beyond the
seeming delight which he can 60 Well
express in courteous words; and
sprlnging lightly into the sleigh by
his side, as the groom releases the
horses and they speed off us an arrow
sent from its bow, she feels only hon.
ored by his preference and his COM
panionship.
Two days later little note is placed
in Edith Loring's hands. II is polite
invitation from NJ Rallings to accom-
pany him that afternoon to drive,
which she as polite and formally de-
clines. Occasion y she hears his
name mentioned the household;
learns that his att, ons to Miss Ell
wood are growing arked; sees the
happy flush mount D her brow at
mention OF his name, and wonders at
the icy Indifference with which she
hears it all. Sometimes for moment
the old pain throbs and surges, but
she bravely fights it back and comes
forth conqueror.
In all these months she rarely meets
him. Once, as she is passing through
the hall with her little charges, she
unexpectedly contronts him. In his
old, winning way-a manner which