Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-08-15
A HEART.

w d0s DSh L1A9ctSt w Sht pSi
haps not, sentimrntallS speaking: but
then, he is merry and fond of society
and has lots of courage, and expec'
that is nearly as good heart to take
one along in the world. IA Is always
ready to speak so,ue pleasant words
to drive the bides away and make
life brighter for those about him."
"no you know how old he is?'
"WeIl, he looks about 26, but
mother declares she used to 20 tn
school with him long ago and that he
must be at least 40"
"Why, it Is not possible"
Zone would not think so to look as
him, it is true-to see his silky, blonde
mustache and the diInples all the
time coming and going In his fair
face; but there is hissister, Mrs. Wiley
she must be nearly 40. have Won
0ered sometimes if it did not make
him feel old to have her children
calling him Uncle Ben"
His sisters all worship him."
"Yes, and we'll they may, for he Is,
as the old Scotchman says, Der kind
to them.'"
"And yet you think he hns no
hearth
"Well, I mean that he never lovco
anybody, and never could love any
body more than five minutes at q
time"
They were two girls walking alons
the street of a pretty New Ehglano
village and earnestly discussing one OF
the lights of society in the quiet place.
Even while they talked, when his
name had scarcely left their lips. he
joined than, this same light-heartcd
bachelor, the existence of whose heart
was so problcmatical to the sentf-
mental young damsels.
"Good-mornmg, girls" he said,
cbeerily. "You always look like q
pink and buttercup. What wonder
full subject are you discussing now?'
One girl blushed and hesitnted. and
the other, more frank and fearless,
said. brarely: Eve were talking OF
you"
"Of me? Well, that is flatteriDg,
l declare. Was it some shortcomlng Of
mine, some sin 1 have recently COM
mitted?"
"No, but we wondered why, when
you are always so kindly and pleasant,
that you have no heart"
The man laughed gayly.
"Is it the universal verdict that L
have no hearth he asked.
And the girl answered: II guess so.
l have heard it said good many
times, and 1 have never heard any
one contradict the fact"
He laughed again-such a merry,
heartsome laugh-and said:
well, we'll, chickens, it is a lack
that no one would ever accuse you. OF,
only see that your hearts do not lead
you astray, that is ALL"
With merry smile he raised his
hat and said:
81 must bid you gopd-by as well as
good-morning, for / am going away
this afternoon"
ooh. please, Mr.. Trisbee," said one
of the girls. deprecatlngly, don't go
away so early. Why do you always
leave us with the summer, as though
you were such warm weather bird
you could not bear the frOst!
Il did not suppose you missed me-"
he said, bowling.
"But we do miss you," persisted
the girl, blushing. "and we like TO
have you here"
Thanks. many thanks. I am sure
your gentle and graceful appreciation
would tempt me to stay, If anything
could, but l must leave, all the same;
so good-by and don't forget me. |
will be back early in the spring, ready
for another campaign. Which Shall
it be-mountain or sea shOre!
The girls were both looking grieved
and sorry.
"Oh, next summer is so long to
watt" said one of them. "Why can't
you stay here now"
Don't ask for reasons or explana-
tions," he laughed; they are stupid
things at the best. am going down
to Mrs. Willey's to bid the children
good-by. Will you go along with
me?"
1--WE are going there, too" they
said. And so the trio moved on to-
gether. The good-bys were just as
merry and frank as everything else
that the gay bachelor had u hand in,
and soon he went away, with many
kind wishes following him.
AS he passed out of sight, turning
at the last instant to throw kisses to
the children. Mabel Ray, one of the
girls who had been talking of him,
said, discontentedly to his sister:
~ don't see what he wants to go
away for; 1 should think he might
stay here all the time-I don't think
he minds the cold"
"No, said his sister; "he does not
mind the cold, it is true, because ne
has been accustomed to it since child
hood"
"Then what does he go for?" plead
ed the girl. And the lady, drawing
her work basket nearer her, said:
81 wonder if you two girls would
like me to tell you n story. will
send the children out to play and we
will have quiet time by ourselves
The girls signifying their delighted
assent, nestled down in the sunshine
to listen to the story.
'It is all about brother Ben," the
lady said, half apologetically. And
the girls, like two children, answered:
"Oh, goody! we want to know SO
much about him."
Fanny says he has no heart" said
Mabel, "but l tell her he has merry
soul and lots Of courage, and that Is