The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1900-04-05
a projecting naii, and in an instan'
she was Fl mly caught.

a projecting naii, and in an instan'
she was Fl mly caught.
Poor Miss Selma was indeed in a
predicament. One hand grasped the
big bottle, the other the edge of the
shelf, and she could not touch her
heels to the floor without fairly tear
ing her hair out by the roots.
'steady, steady" cried the captain,
as he re overed from his little misad-
venture with the seed and realized his
hostess pl ght. Gust hol;l on min.
ute till I get there" and he sprang
toward the closet with telerity which
surprised himself.
"Can't you unloosen my hair?" fall
tered Miss Selma, thank al that the
closet was dark enough to hide heI
burning face. II think you can gel
it away from tie nail witbo # much
trouble"
But the captains clumsy fingers
made sad work with the tangled
:resses, until, finally, losing ratience,
he boldly lifted Miss selma in bis
arms and slipped her away from the
dangerous pro. ection. 1t was no faln'
rose flush which swept ever Hiss
Selma at that master stroke OF policy.
but the captain failed to see any neeo
for an apology. In his own heart he
thought he should apologizeto himself
for putting her down so soon.
When Miss Selma felt herself once
more upon her feet she started for the
door with hasty word that she would
be back in minute, but, to he'
amazoment, the captain stepped IL
front OF her with a masterful air, which
somehow had soothing effect upor
the little lady who for many long years
had had no taste of mas :uline protec
tion.
Don't go yet, Selma" lie said, an(
Miss elina's heart fairly stood'stlll a
his words. 1t was a long time since
anyone had called her by her nam;
without the prefix, so strong was the
custom.
Il want to ssa Say something that
have been thinking of long tine
and never seemed to have a goo;
cha ice to say i. It isn't right TO-
You to be all alone here. SupposE
you had been caught when nobody
was around, you'd have likely beer
hanging in the morning. I know In
groNi ing DID," the captain sighed, ane
Miss Selma involuntarily shook hel
head. Speech was beyond her, ane
he plucked up his courage again. "Bu'
T think I am good for some time, ant
T come of m old stock. I have some
money put away, aud, and, we'll, Selma.
it may und foolish :or gray-haired
man to say, but I love. you, and :
want you to be my wife!
Miss Selma, however, failed to set
ANYTHING either amuSrng Or f9a1tsa 81
this middle ages hance. She locke
up inro ossasessaee before her, and rea
in the kindly b:ue eyes condrmatio
of what the stony lips had told.
There was seconds silence, Will
like lightning the thought hashe
through her mind that never, even /
that censorious little town, had a wor
been spoken against the captain, an
y the thought of long succession
lonely evenings like the one ju
passed, with no hope OF the comin
of guest whose advent had bee
most eagerly anticipated, made her hoI
out her hand.
"Captain," she said, slowly; "cal
tain, like You very much"
But MT enough to marry me:
asked the captain, in a tone OF su<
deep disappointment that Miss Sell
threw all scruples to the wind.
"Oh, yes, quite enough for that,
she answered, softly.