Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1912-09-25

"Ten o'clock sharp. You know whese
the parsons house is 2"
"Yes."
'The widder wanted me to ask you
70 wear whits-you see she's set on
wearing blue and she says If you
should wear pink or red or. anything
HE that it, would make her dress look
Ike an Indian blanket 6h q piebald
pony. I hope I got those oolors cor.
rect-her hairs red, you know"
RED and white" corrected Hele1
swee.ly.
Thank yoa." said BOBBY solemnly
as he led her to seat. II reckon. this
is tho lsst dance you'll ever have with
me as care-free bachelor. Next time;
I'll be an old married party!"
T suppose So" said Helen.
T must go hunt your father up and
tear that there little widder away
from his fascinating attentions" cried
Bobby gayly. "See you at 10 tonor.
row." y
"Yes."
Sure thingT
Yes"
sGood," said Bobby, and q Helen
could have seen his face she would
have noticed that there was strained
hook Ia his eyes.
| She saw nothing save the curiously
streaked hair Of the Widow Watkins
and Bobby's tall form bending over
her as he calmly carried her away
from big Bill Main. Helens fatheL
Mr.. Mains eagle eyes roamed the
room and found his daughters pale
face staring appeal at him. The big
cattleman's harsh face seemed curl
ously softened as hs met her appeal
ing glance, and his eyes wore hurt
look as he pushed his fingers through
his grizzled hair
"Well, daughters" he asked.
"Are you ready to go, :dad?"
fright and ready" he returned
promptly.
When be drove up to the door ia the
blackboard Helen was standing on the
steps mufled in wraps. 1t was cool
outside and she shivered. AS they
were about to drive of the lean form
Of Jim Rawlins pushed close to the
wagon.
"See here, Helen" he whtned, you
was engaged to me for the Saratogy
Lancers-you know can't dance any
of them round dances, and l been
waiting for you-they're starting up
now"
I'm sorry. Mr.. Rawlina," she was
beginning, when her father cut In
roughly:
Let her alone, finishes all tired
out" and with q vicious cut at his
horses dashed away, leaving the angry
Rawlips staring after them.
Tbs long drive back to the ranch
was a silent one. When they came
within sight OF the lamp in the WIN
dow Helen yentured to break the 81
lence.
Dad, Bobby Ellis and Mrs. Wat
kins are going 10 be married at 10,
o'clock. I promised I'd 80 to the we'd
ding. Will you drive me over?
Bill Main stfhed an oath. "Yes-EI1L
drive you over, Nelly" he said softly.
Helen's eyes filed with tears-he had
not called her Nelly since she was q
little girl
81 promised Mrs. Watkins would
come" he spoke in a queer voice.
You knew her, before9" asked Hell
en- with sudden intuition Of what was
to follow.
'Yes-she did what I tried to make
you do. Married an old man and I
lost her. It's too late now for me to
make good to you, daughter, but I'll
send Rawlins packing tomorrow. It's
retrfbuton on mo for standing be-
tween you and Bobby"
"You mean-that you care for her
now, father?" whispered Helen.
Yes
Helen leaned her head against her
fathers shoulder and presently his
arm encircled her.
The next morning Bill Main and his
daughter drove to the parsonage In
Red Spider. While Mr.. Main tied his
horses Helen smoothed the white lawn
gown that she wore out of courtesy for
the Widow Watkins red hair.
"ft's mockery for me to wear white
today" she whispered to herself, for
her face was winter than her frock.
Impulse would have taken her thou
sand miles IN the opposite direction
from the scene of Bobby Ellis we'd
ding, but she understood, or thought
she did, why he asked her to be there.
It was common gossip In Budlong
county that Bobby had been devoted
to Helen, and her presence, AS we'll as
her fathers, there today would still
| every voice.
Mr. Ellis ard - widow were wait