Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-07-30
CHAPTER XIX.

malneu alOne III Inc uraWlDS ToOIu.
A great change had passed over the
youthful mind of Her Stephens dur
ing the transpiring months, and she
was not the jovial girl of old. Trou-
BILE and anxiety had destroyed the
accustomed smile and hardened her
soft features. Tier face ceased to beam
with happiness; but there remained
in it's stead melancholy expression.
In the depth of those expressive
brown eyes were apparent traces of
recent sadness. All color had van
ished from the once rosy cheeks, and
the bloom of health had departed
from her pallid face. The down
ward curve of her lips assisted in re-
vealing her sadness. Her movements
were slow and deliberate, and fire.
quently sighs escaped from her in
most soul. Often she remained rest
less at night, tossing from side to
side on her pillow, weeping and la
menting her fate. She ate scarcely
anything and did not desire society,
but preferred solitude. She often
remained for hours lost in meditation.
Why should such sorrows fall to her
lot2 This question she. was unable
to answer. Apparently her life was
doomed to be one of continual trou-
bic and unhappiness. She had un-
dergone numberless trials and tribu-
lations during the past months, and
all of these seemed more than she
could bear. But at this time, in
Hers hour of grief, Mary Eta proved
herself great comforter.
"Oh, Mary Eta !" cried the girl,
"my heart is breaking it appears as
though its vital cords are cut in
twain. If | do not soon obtain relief
from this intense suffering | shall
become insane. / am wretchcd and
am neither pleasure to myself or
Others. Dear me what shall do to
free myself from this awful calamity |?
| can do nothing but wait for fate to
pursue its course"
"Do not become disheartened,
dear, for everyone must undergo
many trials in this world of care and
woe. Alas ! when these dreary, dis
NAL days shall have passed, and the
sunshine beams into your soul again,
there forever to abide, Frightening
its dark portions, this period Of your
life will appear as an empty dream
and your happiness will then be
complete. No doubt everything will
terminate for your good therefore
you must endeavor to await patiently
the arrival of that time. l know it
will be difficult to follow the advice
which |, as your friend, now offer.
l trust that the not far distant
future may have abundant happiness
in store for you. Her, dry away
your tears of sorrow and allow me
to see again the same cheerful, happy
girl of days gone by"
darling, pen is unable to write
or tongue to express my sincere ap-
probation of your sympathy; but
the whole shock fell upon me at
once. | realize the truth Of the
adage, trouble never comes single
handed,' for it certainly didn't in nv
case"
AT this moment Mr.. and Mrs.
Edrones passed through the drawing
room. Mrs. Edrones gently whs-
pered these few words into the ear
of Her. "llave you message for
Arnold ? I will visit him now and
shall be glad to deliver it,
The poor girl only shook her head.
"Oh, Her! he will ask about you
and what shall l say? Will you not
send your sympathy? How can you
be 80 hard hearted ?'
"Mama, he cares little for my sym.
pathy, and l do not wish to send
- IL, cried the girl, and her head sank
into her hands as she burst into
tears. "Why should he stain his
innocent life with Irby's blood ?" she
muttered to herself.
Mr.. and Mrs. Edroncs left her, and
they were carried for blocks ere the
Jail appeared before their vision.
The building was a large stone
structure. An elderly man met them,
and after inquiring for Arnold, they
were ushered into a dark and dismal
cell, the only furnishings of the
apartment being a split bottomed
chair In one end of this horrible
cage was observed small window
crossed with immense iron bars.
This tiny opening admitted the only
ray of light into the dreary dungeon.
When this couple of distinction and
wealth entered this filthy room they
could not realize that it was the
place of abode for their only son,