The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1899-01-28


T was breakfast time
D@IA. al AvonGale, and
q. ] ] i !. ]: ] &. : ! I / ! !
20 :. S = General Higgerson,
tsIs E&iI u for the fifth time,
:. III wondered what
:. II .E kept his daughter
IL 81 rs he fdgeted with
III 5S his paper and
/. @.s5 stirred his &o5
+ + ~ I coffee. Just as his
teS~5's~~-.sI 1g75@,-ssT patience was al aD
Es=2s:SSs Es%s=t end the door opened
' 80 .:----->%ZIi and admitted a tall,
~ i handsome girl, with
bright blue eyes and a determined
mouth. She held big bunch OF Gle
mats in her hands.
"Whare have you been, Mona?" IL
auired her father.
s'Dovn as the river; ] found the
stone wall near the boathouse ab!aze
with these blossoms. I an sorry to
be late, dear"
"The Southern mail is in," ob-
served the General, rodding toward
small pile Of letters at her plate.
She flushed slightly as she laid the
clematis OF the sideboard, and took her
seat at the table. A conscious smile
crossed her fathers face as she broke
the seal of the first letter. lie turned
to the paper in his hands, and his eyes
caught this heading: GA Romance in
Real Life" He glanced ct the ar
ticle casually, and then the smile died
away; his hands tightsnea on the
paper AMI his face grew hard aud
stern while he read the following
paragraph:
- s'With the invalided officers return
ing this week is young Colonel Law
zence, who was severely hurt in the
charge: at San Juan. Among the
nurses who went to look after the sick
was E handsome young woman whom
:; tGs' Colonel formerly admired. Fam
: Nv Gai.:ortrre=- -h2a fcScoa her- =
adopt nursing as profession. Their
friendship was renewed, and when
the Colonel came home he was en-
gagged to his old love. Colonel Law
renee is to- be married very shortly.
Report says that he had entangled
himself with another lady, who will
now. fnd that shs must look else
swheIe for consolation"
~ As be laid down the paper the Gen
.eezal Sgsanced at his daughter. Sic
,@~as.slsting with dazed expression
. on her face, gazing at letter she held.
= :: .,:ssF Father, what does this mesn?" she
exclaimed, holding out the letter. He
soolk II from her, and this IS what ne
Tea9;.
= - t'24 West Fifty street,
- e.. r ssSEw Yoa1, September y, 1928.
t:Dear Mona-You may have Seen il tee
papers an account OF ny beins wounded;
.Inade light oft in my last letter, fearing
to alarm you, but the truth is an wreck.
" os the papers have accurately stated. lam
invalided and crippled, and IL it hal no.
been for devoted nutsi2S I sLca!d Goe BE
here to-day. Under the circumstances l
DO Rot feel justified in holding YOU 20 your
engagement; notwithstanding the pain i:
causes ne to do this want 20 release you
entirely and leave You free to marry some
ons,8ho is not so shattered as myself, but
.beliese me-, dearest, that whatever ny, fu-
:tpre lie, you will always De sbrined deep
{. 'tn my hear. Of hearts. Your faithful frisnt,
"EESEH LAWRENCE
" 'tWhat does it mean?" almost shout
ed the old General. eft means tha5
you:lcTer is q scoundrel, Mona: read
.tnis,"- and he thrust into her bands
. the newspaper containing the "Ro-
,r,,,co >, Pool T ife -
.4s"Be brave, child; b. brave said
.ger father, as he watched her anz-
iousiy.
- After a moments silence, the girl
turned pale face toward her father;
ffI will be brave, but leave me- to my
self fer a whiIe," and crushing the let
ter in her hand, she hastily left the
room.
.. It was terrible blow to the Cen
eral; he had always liked Colonel Jaw-
renee, and consented 70 the engage
ment just before the Young man was
ordered to Cuba. 2A:irs the rooms
wrathfuliy, he gave vent to his feel
inss. "Ihe scoundrc;. I should like
to lorsewhip him myself for wheip
OF cur if he were not wounded. What
are his hurts to the stab ne has given.
Moaa-al! when Gilbert hears tais-"
aud then the General remembered tnat
bis son was coming nome that week.
It was satisfaction to have q 1l&n
around to whom he could give vent to
bis outraged feelings.
As though in answer to his thoughts,
the butler at that moment brought il
-stelegram. Eyes, Gilbert was COM
ing, :Eaa, fortunately, day earlier
thar expected, bringing friend with
him for tie ball. Just as we'll to dis
tracther attention, thoughther father,
as Mona joined him with her hat on
and=a letter in her hand.
sIba7e written few lines to say
that his views upon the subject OF our
engagement entirely coincide with
mine"
My brave girl"
Don't say word more, now, father;
I can't bear Il.
"Gilbert is coming tomorrow a. >
with an old college friend, who, Il
seems, has just turned up II Ne"
York
Il am glad" said Mona, quietly,
and then calling to her dogs, s2s
walked quickly away.
Gilbert HiggersoD was q sgood.heart'