The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-04-07

"Weu, then, begin: Mr.. Edward Bar
tine: You are base, designing young
man -
/ Must l say so, father? Indeed, he
is no such thing" looking up, all in
tears.
Il say he is. Go on. so, although
| am only farmers daughter, never
presume to address another letter to
me- Have you got that? Very well.
| Now add, My father desires his
compliments, and would like to try
his raw-hide whip upon your Shout
ders. Respectfully, very, Margaret
Willis -
Mr.. Willis took the 'blotted paper,
read it, sealed and directed it, and
put it into his pocket.
Margaret arose, pressed her lips to
his with loud sob, and then fastened
to her chamber, bolted the door, and
throwing herself upon the bed, gave
way to her feelings. For the first
time tear had blotted her heart his
tory.
"What the mischief ails the girl, l
wonder. She don't eat nor sleep; and
half the time her eyes are filled with
unshed tears; her rosy cheeks are all
gone, and every now and then she
sighs; enough to break ones heart.
Hang me, if l can stand it. When
am near she tries to smile and sing as
of old; she thinks haven't any eyes,
but 1 have. Confound that fellow!
.. 1 wish had kept her at home. Some
thing must be DONE" and he, at that
moment, saw Margaret pensively
strolling through the garden, and at
length something took upon itself
shape which greatly pleased his
fancy. 70
I Mr.. Willis had one sister who, in
his boyhood, had emigrated, together
" .th almost all of the Willis connec-
ton, to the far West. She married
there but had been early left widow
with one son. Mr.. Willis had several
times offered her home, but the dis
tance was too great, new friends and
associations had been formed to sup
plant earlier ties, and the widow,
though grateful for her brothers
kindness, preferred the banks of the
Ohio to the vale of the Connecticut.
Now Mr.. Willis had no son, and
vague idea had now and then seized
him to unite Margaret to his sisters
son. True, he had never seen him,
but what of that. He was certain he
was fine fellow, a good, honest lad,
like all the Willises.(i,
Eyes, 1 will write this very night!
said Mr.. Willis, stopping suddenly in
his walk. 'I'll invite Reuben to come
and see the old homestead, and if he'll
only take fancy to Margaret, which,
of course, he can't help doing, I shall
be as happy as lord. Reuben will
soon drive this college scapegoat
from her mind" ,r,
: Margaret, how DO, you like your
cousin, Reuben?" said Mr.. Willis.
2! "My dear father, you know that l
: have never seen him.
"True, neither haVe,I, but tell you
what, Margaret, 1 apl, going to write
to Reuben and invite him to visit US,
and bring his mother, too, if she will
come. How do youf like it?''
every much, indeed, l shall be
delighted to see Aunt Richards, whom
you have so often talked to me about;
and Cousin Reuben, too"
Margaret, I trust you will Like
Cousin Reuben, for do you know, I've
quite set my heart upon having him
for a son-in-law. What say you?"
Margaret at once burst into tears,
and protested in the most earnest
manner that she would never marry;
she could never love anybody, as she
was supremely happy where she was.
However, Mr.. Willis wrote the let
ter, and it took him two hours to do
so. Then, in the morning, as it was
haying time, he told Margaret he
wished she would walk to the village
and mail his letter.
What could have, put it into Mar
garet's head TO do as she did, ] am
sure I don't know l will not pre-
tend to exculpate such q. piece of mis-
chief-not I. will only state facts:
"Dear Mr.. Edward Bartine: l have
thought of you great many times
since l wrote those few lines to you,
which you must have considered very
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