The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1900-04-24

! 11&QQ1Q 5 StC1lu iGCe, OUV LS@iAy OAtJ
waiting for Ralph to return to the vii
lage.
! he came in soon, and seeing her
standing alone in the clean, poorly
furnished room, he went straight to
her and, taking both her hands in his,
he said:
s:Now, Gertrude-Miss kendenns
you really must not come here in
this manner. People are talking OF 1t
down in the village. I heard it re-
marked upon to-day, and ifyour uncle
| should hear of it he would send you
to nunnery and kill me outrig ght."
"Oh, you do not want me here!'
she said trying to speak playfully, but
with e little moan in her voice.
81 dol do, he answered. putting
his arm about her, holding her close
and touching her with a quick, caress-
ing motion. "God knows it is worse
than death to send you away, but, my
darling, see the long, weary life
stretching before me. See the work
to be done here and you lowering like
some bright bird just out OF reach.
Could drag you down to share this
poor old nest? No, no. it would not
be right. I have served duty too long
to dare desert her now"
"But you are so young she muir
mured, leaning her face on his
shoulder; he could feel her breath
against his cheek.
His heart beat so fast he though. II
would strangle him, and that moment
of rapture paid him for the suffering
$50 young end 50 ambitious-ana
there is the invention down in the mil
I am sure that is going to work we'll. ,
eyes; but I have been to the village
to-day for the last time trying to raise
even fifty dollars to pay for the patent
and I cannot do it. Nobody has any
faith in it: they think it is boys
scheme, and I'm quite discouraged.
"Oh, if T only had my money
eyes, but you have not, my darl,
ing; nor would I touch one penny OF
it if you had. Ne, You must go back
to your own home and your own rela
tives. I shall never marry, dear, but
| I shall cherish your memory as mJ
one blessedest gift. Now, don't fee
badly-don't.'
They were both sobbing together
by this time; she put her ann uE
around his neck, and their two tear
wet faces nestled against each othe,
like two grieved children.
Aunt Hannah put her white, fabby
( face in at the door to say that dinner
esas ready, and seeing the young peo
- s:anding together there she start
erYously and exclaimed:
saws sakes! that's courtin', now.
and as they neith0arr NOV
= #1,szu,asrsnes1 s s17eEG s0T.iy aoross t
epered: "Ralphie: bo
4 to be married'''
"1Yss, a1ntie," answered Gertrud
% "and we want your b!essing.'
70 "But yon want your money, to
- don't you?"
Co., ':Yes, certainly; the marriage pc
:, tion," said Ralph, bitterly, brushir
- the tears from his eyes aud trying
~ face his lonely life once more.
- Then come upstairs,' she laugh
:, out, in her queer, wild fashion.
IL "What does she mean?" asked &c
trGde, wonderiugly.
~ ~ "I do not know" Ralph auswere
~ ~ @I hare not heard her speak so maj
, words at time in ten years.
4; Beckoning them to follow her, 81
= !. climbed the worn old stairs mp. up
the dusty garret, where broken chai
s and long-ldle spinning wheels mat
- up the furniture.
Down behind the big chimney Gre
~ the daft woman, and drew out larg
10 loose bundle Of rags, in which W:
slyly hidden rolls OF strong parcl
ment.
- They opened them there in Il
= chaugeful light that fitted throug
- The tims-staiued window.
g There were $1,000 in gold. ii
= price Of the farm lands. Not G gre'
" fortune, it is true. but 8 fabulous su
for the young people who were brave
:, ly and defantly married ere long,
=. the great wonder Of the village folk:
=. And Ralph's invention was th;
queer new saw that has been winnin
> such notice in the mechanical VOL
> these last few years.
y, Oh, happy loved and lover!