Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-04-30

A
ling Frank, my own true love- she
moaned. Her face was ghastly
white and she swooned upon his
breast. Little Her was only ave
years. old at this time. She was
greatly bewildered and could not
realize what had happened, but
knowing her father was gone, and
her mother pale and unconscious, she
sank into chair and burst into tears.
Mrs. Stephens lay quite i'll and
suffered greatly for year after her
husbands death. Their small store
OF money was soon exhausted and
no more came to them, so they were
often in want. Her accepted her
fate patiently and ministered to the
wants of her sick mother as best she
could. She would occasionally earn
pennies by running errands, and was
such lovable child that small coins
were often given her. But these
were not sufficient to supply their
needs. All of the valuables of the
house, as we'll as their little cottage,
went to settle their debts. Only one
article of value remained this Mrs.
Stephens had determined to keep
for Her. 1t was an exquisite dia-
mond chain, bought by Frank Ste
phens for his lovely bride, Millie.
The purchase of this expensive article
had taken the last penny of Franks
wealth, but he had determined his
Mile should possess it. II was
worth small fortune within itself.
A large locket of gold hung from it
and had these words engraved upon
it's surface: "With endless love from
Frank Stephens to his darling Mil
lie," together with the date of their
marriage. In this locket were the
photos of Mr.. and Mrs. Stephens.
Mile had worn the chain constantly
since her husbands death and found
great comfort in it.
At the time my story opens, Her
sat by the bedside of her sick mo-
ther, gently brushing the curles from
her pale brow and extending to her
all her childish sympathy. "Darl-
ing," said Mrs. Stephens, "Mama
will not be with you long, for she is
going to meet papa but her little
daughter must be good, and God
will bless her."
go, mama p cried the little one,
throwing her plump arms around the
neck of her mother; "don't leave
your little Her as papa did. o,
mama, l cant give you up; you
must not CO."
"Would to God 1 could stay, not
for my sake, but for yours, darling.
If l had some one to protect you, l
would be content to die"
She took Hers dimpled hands
within her own wasted ones and
caressed them gently, then imprinted
a loving kiss upon the upturned face
of her precious daughter. This was
lovely, but sad, parting of mother
and child.
"Promise mama to be good, and
she will meet you bye-and. bye.
Here is something for my Her. Take
it and remember your mama and
papa, who loved you so devotedly."
She placed the chain around Hers
neck, after bestowing kiss upon it,
as the child knelt before her.
"Thank you, mama, dear l will
try to be good. But, oh how will
miss you'll"
And she again kissed the pale face
of her dying mother. She did not
fully realize what treasure she was
losing, that she was giving up her
dearest friend, loving parent and
only protector.
A smile illumed Miles counte-
nance when she observed how Her
priced the gift and loved the giver.
After one more loving kiss and en-
brace, and scarcely audible "good-
bye" Mrs. Stephens entered into
"that sleep from which none ever
wakes to weep"
Her was left lonely orphan, with
no one to support or bestow any love
and sympathy upon her, and to the
mercies of bustling world. A sense
of loneliness seized her, and she began
to realize her true position in life.
She threw her arms around her
mother and cried herself to sleep.
When she awoke crowd was in the
room and one large man was lifting
her gently from the form of her
mother. Mrs. Stephens was carried
away to be buried, followed by lonely
little Her and her faithful pet, Fido.
Thus the life of lovely and famous
actress ended. She died in loneliness
and in want.
| Tro be continued I