The Darlington news. (Darlington, S.C.) 1875-1909, November 15, 1888, Image 8
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Tf^Tli
f:.
A Romnco of the Jerseys, 1779.
Ey DEIZT IIAETE.
|Copyr!*ht«l »/y IIoaKhton. Mlf3in £ Co.
l>til li»ln*j If cxruii^uniiut witli littm.]
i wn«i» no ii&d pone, rht Ihn-rr hom-lr In
a chair, and apun (rave way to a pa^ioa-
aU* flood of toars. In the Iiim tvftnty foar
houre hi r pride invi l<ccu nuwly humMed:
, the iiaiopentlent rj ird of thld jtlf-ntlled
litUe hauty hwl met for the Urn time
| With defeat. When she ha<l over her
i woianaly shock ut the news of the sham
baron's death, she h/vd, I fear, only a sel-
fyL regret at bfat taking off, Lei eving tldit
if living he would in ei/ine way show the
world—which jij.<*t then consisted of the
heod^narters and Mx) \'f,n Z«Bdt—that
he h:Ml really made love to her. a re*, j <»rtbljr
did honorably love her still, and talgkt yet
give her an opportunity to reject him. And
1 now lie was dead, ami she was held np to
the world tut the conceited plaything of a
/> fine .K«.nUeu:*u'b ■testBcCkdiag syort.
and
J
CHAPTER IV
The sun was high over the Short Hills
when Mistress Thsnhfnl, the next day,
drew np her sweating mare beside the
Blossom Fnrtfl gate. She had never
looked prettier, she heal never felt more
embarrassed, as she entered her own
bouse. During her rapid ride she had al
ready framed a speech of apology to Maj.
Van Znndt, which, however, utterly lied
front her lips as that ofilcer showed him
self respectfully ou the threshold. Yet
she permitted him to usurp the functions
of the grinning Crcsnr, and help her from
her horse; albeit she was conscious of ex
hibiting the awkward timidity of a bash
ful rustic, until at last, with a stammer-
tng “Thank ye,’’ she actually ran up
stairs to hide her glowing face and far too
conscious eyelids
During the rest of that day Maj. Van
Zandt quietly kept on*, of her way, with
out obtrusively seeming to avoid her. Yet,
when they met casually in the perform
ance of her household duties, the Innocent
Mistress Thankful noticed, under her
downcast penitential eyelids, that the eyes
of the officer followed her Intently. And
thereat she fell onoonrclonely to imltaHiig
him; and so they eyed each other furtively
like cats, and rubbol tlieiuielyes along the
walls of rooms and (Messages when they
met, lest they should eoern designedly to
come near ouch other, and enacted the and
gravest and Most formal of genuflections,
courtesies and bows when they accident
ally did meet. And just at the close of
the second day, as the elegant Maj. Van
Zandt was feeling him self In .t becotniiw
• driveling idiot nm! am wkwardcountr*
booby, the arrival of a courier from head
quarters saved that gentleman his self
respect forever.
Mistress Thankful was in her sitting
room when he knocked at the door. She
opened it in sudden, conscious trepidation.
“I ask pardon for intruding, Mistress
Thankful illoesutn," henaidgruvoiy; “but
I have here’’—he held out . a pretentious
document—“a letter for you from head
quarters Mriy I hope that it contains
good news—the relonssof your father—
and that it relieves you from my presence,
and an espionage which I assure you can
not bo more unpleasant to you Uian it has
been to myself."
As he enjered the room. Thankful hod
rlaoti to her fbrt with the full Intention of
delivering to him her little set apology;
but, as Iw ended his speech, she looked at
him blankly, and burst out crying. •
Of course be was in on Instant at her
side, and holding her cold little hand.
1%eu she managed to say, between bar
tears, that she hod been wanting to make
so apology to him; ihftt she had wanted
to say ever since she arrived that she had
been rude, very rude, and that she knew
be never eouM forgive her; tfeat she hud
been trying to say. that sho never could
forget his gentle forbearance, “only," she
added, suddenly raising her tear fringed
brown lids to the astonished man, “you
wouldn’t ever let me!"
“Dear Mistress Thankful " said the
major, In conscience stricken horror, "If I
have made myself distant to you, believe
me It was only because I feared to In
trude upon your sorrow. I really—dear
Mistress Thankful—I’
•‘When
"When you took all ths pains to go
round the boll Instead of through tno
dining room, lest I should ask yon to for
give me," sobbed Mistress Thankful, “I
thought—you—must—hate me, and pr^
ferret! to"
"Perhaps thto letter may mitigate yonr
sorrow, MUtress Thankful," said the
offloer, pointing to tbs letter she still held
unconsciously iu her hand.
With a blush at her preoccupation,
Thankful opened the let tel. It was a
half official document and ran ns follows:
The commander In-chief Is glad to Inform Mis-
trees Thankful Elcssom that the charges pre
ferred against her father have, upon fair exam
ination. been found groundless and trivial. The
commandcr-in-chief furtaer begs to inform
Mistress DloMom that the gentleman known to
her under the name of the “Baron PompoKo " was
his excellency Doo Juan Morales, ambassador
and envoy extraordinary of the court of tiiaiu,
and that the gentleman known to her os the
“Count Ferdinand'' was Senor Gcdoy. seentary
to the embassy The commander-in-chief wishes
lo add Stint Mistress Thankful idussom la reboved
of any further obligation of fuhpiUiity toward
tfcesc honorable gentlemen, as the commander-
in-chief regrets to record the sudden and deeply
lo be deplored death of his excellency this morn
ing by typhoid fever and the possible speedy re-
turn of the embassy
In conclusion the cominander-in-chicf wishes to
bear testimony to the truthfulness. Intuition and
dlaerotiou of Mistress Thankful Blossom
By order of his excellency,
Oks Ovosoe WiFRixarox
Autx. Hamilton, Secretary.
To Mistress Thankful Blossom, of Blossqm .Farm.
Thankful IMossom was silent for a few
moments, and then raised her abashed
eyes to Maj. Van Zandt. A single trlanoe
satisfied her that he kuew nothing of . the
imposture that had been practiced upon
her—knew nutUiag of the trap Into which
her vanity and self will had lad her.
“Dear Mistress Thankful," said the
major, seeing the distress In her face, “I
trust the news Is not IB. Surely I gath
ered from the sergeoat that"
“What?" said Thankful, looking at him
innocently.
“That in twenty-foix hours at furthest
your father would be free, and that 1
should be relievod"—-
“I know that yon are a weary of your
task, major," said Thankful, bitterty; “re
joice, then, to know yonr aiformr.Ueu is
correct, an4 that my (otYir is cyVmt r-
ated—unless—nnlesa this Is a forgCfy,
and Gen. Washington should turn out to
be somebody else, and yon should turn
out to be somebody else" And she
•topped sUc-t and bid her wet eyes In the
Window curtiui.s.
“Poor girl!” said Maj. Van Zandt to
himself. "This trouble has undoubtedly
fremied her. Pool that I was to
the insult of one that sorrow and
through
sndsrape.
nl changes
i pre-em-
ic winter
that fid
i-like sun
M ponred
t and hag-
ills. The
that
that
yellowed the river banks took on a deeper
color. But the country folk wkrc certain
that spring hud come at last; add even the
correct and self-sustained Maj. Van
Zandt came running in to announce to
Mistress Thankful that one of his men
bad seen a violet In the meadow. In an
other moment Mistress Thankful had
donnnd her cloak and pattens to view this
firstling of the laggard summer. It Was
quite natural that Maj. Van Zandt.
a ild accompany her as she tripped on;"
po, without a thought of their past’
differences, they ran like ve ry children
down the moist and rocky slope t hat led
to the quaggy meadow. Such was the In
fluence of tho vernal season.
Bnt the violets were hidden. Mistress
Thankful, regardless of the wet Iswvce
and her new gown, groped with he*, fin
gers among the withered graces. Muj.
Van Zandt leaned against a bowlder and
watched bfs with admiring eye*
11 **ever mid ^flowers that way,"
to ni
‘‘Ton'll
she said at lost, looking up to tiim impa
tiently. “Go down on your knees like an
honest man. There ore some things In
this world worth stooping for."
The major instantly dropped on his
kwoes baotda her. But at that moment
Mistress Thankful found her posies, and
rose to her feet. “Stay where yott arp,"
she said mischievously, as she Stooped
down and placed a flower in the lapel of
his eoat. “That is to make amends for
my rudeness. Now get up.” * jl.
But tho major did not rise. Ho caught
tho two little hands that had seemed to
flatter like birds against his 'or* :i«t, and,
lankhig up Into the langhingjfccepbove
him, said: “Dear Ml-tress Thnpkful, dare
I remind you of yonr own t erdsf tbit
‘there bo some thiigcs worth stooping lor?’
Think of my love, Mistress Thaiikruk as
a flower—mayhap not as gracious to you
aa your violent, but as honest and—and—
and—as"-—
“Ready to spring up in a single night,"
laughed Thankful. “But uo; got up,
major! What would the f}nc ladies of
Morristown say of your kneeling at tho
feet of a country girl—the play and sport
of every lluogcnileraau? What iMftRress
Boltou should see her own cavw'dei', the
modish Maj. Van Zandt, proffering his
affections to the disgraced swetlheaTof a
perjured traitor? Leave go my Rand, 1
pray you major, If you respect’’
She was free, yet she faltered a nwwnent
beside him, with tears quivci 'ng un.hcr
long brown lashes. Then she said tremu
lously, “Rise up, major. Let u» think no
more of this. I pray you for^gve me, if I
have again been riala"
Theiiiujor struggled to riso to fiis fett,
buC he could not. And then I regret to
have to record that the fact Ijfcamo obvi
ous that one of his shapely legs was in a
bog hole, and that he was perceptibly
sinking, out of sight. Whereat Mi.--trcss
Thankful trilled out a three syllabled
laugh, looked dethuro and painfully con-
ctrned at Ida c* lition Bud then laughed
arwin Tl.» lulijur Jnltod la her mirth,
! elicit Ids faco was crimson. And then,
with a litfie cry of alarm shk flew to his
side and ;»ut her arms around him.
‘ Ktc.i nv ay, kt*ep away, Q.r Heaven's
sake. Mistros* Blossom," ho laid quickly,
“or 1 shall plunge you Into my mishap,
and Hu.ke yon as ridiculous aw myself.’’
But th^ottlrk wilted girl'had already
jacent bowlder. '“Takeoff
said quickly; “fasten it
to yonr bell and throw it tome.” He did
so. She straightened herself Imck pn tho
rock “Now, all together," she cried,
with a preliminary strain on toe sash; and
then the cords of her well trained noisqles
stood out on her rounded arms, amL with
along pull and a strong pull aud a pill
all together, she landed the major ujon
the rock. And then she laughed; aiulUna,
In consistent ns it may appear, she became
grave, and yqce prec.eeded to scrape
bnatflp, and rub him down with dried
lenvr^ wiuh lom^owigs, with her hanfl-
kordrief, with the bi rder of her mantle,
as if lie were a eii.ld, until he blushed
with uluwnate shame and secret sntisifno
tion.
They spoke but little on their return to
the farm house, for Mistras Thankful
had again become grave. And yet the
lay up t ® nn shone cheerily abovtf thepir The lanfl-
excito- scape wits filled with the joy of resurrec-
j .But UitMWtrk
leaped Co at. ntjil
"your sash, Sro
Tlist her father’s euphlffy and ambition
> I rna/le Idm sanction the impoature, In her
bitterness, she never doubted. Xo« Lover,
friend, father—all had been fake to her,
and the only kindness sheliad received was
from the mail she had wantonly insulted.
Pour fitthi fllossom! indeed a moet pre
mature Blossom; I fear a most nr.thankfu]
BloKac.ni, sitting there shivering in tho first
chill wind of adversity, rocking backward
and forward, with tho skirt of her dimity
short gown over her shoulders, and her
little buckled shoes and clucked suckings
pathetically creased before her.
But healthy youth is reactive; and In an
hour or two Thankful was down at tho
cow shed, with her arms around the neck
of her favorite heifer, to whom she poured
out much of her woes, and front whom she
won an Intelligent sort of slobbering sym
pathy. And then sho sharpfy scolded
Cwsar for nothing at all, and p moment
after returned to the bouse with tho air
and face of a deeply injured angel, who
had been disappointed in soiae celestial
Idea of setting this world right, bnt was
still not aliove forgiveness—a spectack
that sank Maj. Van Zandt into the dark
depths of remorse, aud eventually sent
him to smoko a pipe of Virginia with Ms
men in the roadside camp; seeing which,
Thankful went early to lied iunl cried her
self to sleep. And nature piwibly fol
lowed her example; for at sunset a great
thaw set in, and by midnight the freed
rivers' and brooks were gun-ling melo
diously, and tree aud shrub and fence
were moist and dripping.
The rad down r.t.lM' rtrufwi
the vaporous Ten that hid tho
Then occurred one of those magi
pecu.iurtoiheclimate, yetperfc
ineutly notable during that List
‘ Spring. By ten o’clock
of May, 1780, a fervent Jur
had rent that vaporous veil,
its direct rays upon tho gauni
gard profile of the Jersey W
chilled sftil leepuBded but feebly to
kiss; perhaps a few of the willows
ment had bereft of reason ami responsl- i tion and new and awakened life; the breezo
bilityj 'Twcre better 1 should retire at whispered gentle promises of hope and
* * • - vv *— -
Awstf AM these two fared on until
they reached the porch, with a half
pleased^ half frightened consciousness
that they were not the same beings who
nod left it a half hour before.
once amt leave her to .herself," oml tlwj g * < ^' ( ' ir hopes in the summer
young man slowly retreated toward the f
door. {
But at this moment *l:er .' wore alarm
ing symptoms of distress in the window
curtain, and the i.mjoi ; r.n.-od ns a voice
from its dimity depths stud piv.ntivoly,
"And you are going without forgiving
me!" ^
"Forgive you, Mistre^ Thmikftil,”said
the major, striding to the curtain, and
seizing a little hand that was obtruded
from its folds—"forgive you? rut her can
you forgive me for the lolly—the crnelty
of mistaking—of—of’’—and here tho ma
jor, hi
menu, utterly;, brote flo'
hand he held was no longer
warm and intelllgenl; and in default of
coherent speech ha held fast by that as the
thread of Ids dl*<»nree, until Mistress
Thankful quietly withdrew it, thanked
him for Ui» forgive
l»‘Und I’-'*
i" ■ Mam-
Nsvertheless at the porch Mistress
Tbaakfnl regained somethina of her old
aBdauity. As they steed together in tho
hall, she handed him hack the sash she
had kept with her. As she did so, sho
could not help saying: “There are some
filing* worth stixiping for, Maj. Van
But she hod not calculated upon the
, room, arut conn- mrisen jonung and
troubled ufx n 1:* r Ixxl. For an hour or
two she lay there, with flushed cheek a and
conflicting thoughts. "He must never
klsa me agate," she said softly to bereelf,
"unless"—tut the interrui.jlng thought
sold, “I sh.ili (11a Li L - kiss mt nut again;
and I never can kiss anotber. ” And then
she was reused by a futetep upon the
stair, wtifch la that bdef tiiiie sis. bud
karned to know ai d look for, and a knock
at the door. She opened It to Maj. Van
Zandt, white and so oolorl<*» ca t« bring
out once mere the fa'nt red hue made by
lief rii'.i.g Ki ip two days before, as if tt
had ri.M n again in accuLatlon. ’ll* blood
dropped out of her checks as she gazed at
him in silence.
“An escort of dragoon*, M said Maj
Van Zandt, slowly, and with military
precision, "has jest arrived, bringiug
with them one Ca;«t. Aiian Rrevrster, of
the Oomiecticat conlii.gvnt, on IJs »ay to
Morristown to he tri--d for u;utiny aud
treat oil A private note fr<»m Col. Hcm-
ilto:i instructo me to a.low i,.in to have a
private audience with yon- if you so wish
it.”
With a woman’s swift and too often
hopeless Intuition, Thankful knew that
this v, as not the sole contents of the letter,
and that her relations with Capt Brew
ster were known to the man before her.
But she drew.herself up a little proudly,
and, turning her truthful eyes upon tho
major, said: “I do so wish,it.’’
‘rtjtoj someUii
: It shall b done os von desire, Mistress Ittore ‘Mb :k ”
Bloerop,” returned the oflicer, with cold tirtn RWn, ‘- l ^ at
{Miliicness, us ho turned upon fcia i»*«.i
“One moment, Muj. Van Zandt," said
Thankful, swiftly.
The major turned quickly; bnt Thank- 1
ful s eyes were gazing thoughtfully for
ward, and scarcely glanced at hum “I ,
wonld prefer,” she said timidly and hesi
tatingly, "that this Interview should not
take place under tho roof where—where
—where—my father Uvea Half way
down the meadow there is a barn, and be
fore it a broken part of the wall, fronting ;
on a sycamore tree. He will know where
It is Tell him 1 wiU see him there In
liulf an hour.”
A smile, which the major had tried to
make a careless one, curled his Up aatikl- ,
cally as he bowed in reply. “It is the
first time,” he wild dryly, “that I believe
I have been honored with arranging a
tryst for two lovers; but beUeve me, Mis-
tre*>s Thankful, I will do my Lest. In
half an hour I will turn mjr prisoner over
to you„”
In half an hour the punctual Mistress
Thankful, with a hood hiding her pale
face, passed tho officer in the hail, on the
way to her rendezvous. An hour later
Cauar ciino with a message that Mistress •
Thankful wdmd like to se* him. When
the major entered the sitting room he was
ak<x;ktd tri fugl her lying ptueond motion-
k>» ou the rofa, but as the door cloeed |
she rose to her feet and confronted him.
“I do not know," she said slowly,
"whether you arc aware that the man I
Just now farted from was for a twelve
month post my sweetheart, Bud that I be
lieved I loved him, and knew I was true
to him. If you have not heard it, I teU
you now, for tho time will come when you
will hear pari of it from the lies of others,
and I would rather you sherald take tho
whole truth from mine. This man was
false to mo. He betrayed two friends of
mine as spies. I could have forgiven tt, „
had It been only foolish jealousy; bia
It was, I have since learned from
bis own lips, only that he might
gratify his spite against thq commander in
chief by procurin'; their armt, and mak
ing a serious difficulty. In tbo American
eump, by means <4 which he hoped to
•ervo ids own ends. He told me this, be-
Beving that I sympathized With him Is
his hatred of th©-commander in chief and
t his own wrongs and euffedngv. I con-
s to my shame, Maj. Van Zandt, that
two days ago I did believe Mm, and that t
looked upon you as a mem catch poll or
bailiff <4 U* tyrant. That I found out
bow I was deceived when I saw the com
mander in chief, yon, major, who know
him so well, need not be told. Nor was
it necessary tor me to tell tbjs man that
be bad deceived me, for I felt that—that
—was—not — the—only reason—why I
could no longer return—his love."
She paused or, the major approached bar
earnestly, and waved him bock with tier
baud. "He reproached me bitterly with
my want of fwling-for his misfortunes,"
•lie went on again; “be recalled my past
protestations; he showed me my love
letters; and he told me tliat If I were still
his true sweetheart I ought to help him.
I told him if he would never call me by
that name again; if he would give np all
Claim i to me; if he would never speak,
write to me, nor see me again; if lie would
hand me back my letters—I would help
him." She stopped; the blood rushta
into her pale face. "You will rememlier,
major, that l accepted this man s love as
a young, foolish, trustful girl; but when 1
made Idm this offer—he—ho accepted it"
“Tho dogi" said Maj. Van Zandt
“But in what way could you help this
double traitor?”
“I have helped him," said Thankful
quietly.
“But how?*’ said Maj. Van Zandt
“By becoming a traitor myself,” she
said, turning upon him almost fiercely.
“Hear mol While you were quietly pac
ing these halls, while your men were
laughing and talking in the road, Ca-sar
was saddling my white mare, the fleetest
in the country. He led her to the lane
below. That mare is now two miles
away, with Capt. Brewster on her back.
Why do you not start, major? Look at
me. I am a traitor, and this is my
bribe;’’ and she drew a package of letters
front her ixisora and flung them on tho
table.
She had been prepared for an outbreak
or exclamation from the man before her,
but not for his cold silence. “Speak,”
she cried at last, passionately. "Speak!
Open your lips, if only to cupte mel
Order in your men to arrest me. I will
proclaim myself guilty and save your
hon. r. But only .speak!"
“.May I ark,” said Mnj. Van Zandt
coldly, “why you have twice honored me
with ftbhiw?”
‘‘BfCause I loved you; because, whtui I
first saw you I saw the only man that
was my master, and I rebelled; because,
When I found I could nut help but love
r m, I knew I never had loved liefore, and
warfld wipe nut with one stroke all the
past that rose in judgment against me;
lx' .au«o I wonld not have you ever con-
fr uited v. Th one endearing word of mine
Ui«t uut iqomt for you.”
If ij i' fti Z.-indtHnnu'd from the win
dow where he stixxl, oiul faced the girl
with srt i resignation. “If 1 have in my
foolish:iess. Mistress Thankful, shown
you l ow great was your power over me,
when ycu descended to this artifice to j
. arc my feelings by confessing yonr own
love Tor me, you should have remem tiered I
that you were doing that which forever j
keot me from woolmr or winnlmr von. If
you fim> lemry it O'(XT me, yout ueai nit a
woman's would liave warned you against
that which my heart, as a gentleman's,
has made a law of honor: when I tell yon,
as much for the sake of relieving your
own conscience ns for the sake of justify
ing mine, that if this man, a traitor, my
prisoner, and yonr recognized lover, had
owaped from ray custody without your
assistance, connivance, or even knowl
edge. 1 shouM have deemed it ?ny duty to
for akr you until I caught him, even if
we had beenStaadlng liefore the altar."
Tiutn)./ul heard him, bat only ns a
Strange voVe In the dh tance, mi she stood
with flxcsl ryes and breathl ss, parted
lips litiore him. Yet even then*! fear
Uti<£ ISWH *JTr ro (Aiinuc 7o<u tover, A ocg
you to bellevt that it Is only for your
sake. I wish to allow a reasonable time
between your interview with him and his
escape, that t'.all save yon from any sus-
piciou oKcoteplicity. Do not think,’ ho
added wfb b sad smile, as the girl mad©
on ImpaSent step toward him, "do not
third: I am rum tint’ ‘my risk. The man
ftuumt esefet v- A cordon of pickets sur
rounds the < mi, to. many miles. He has
hot the «ountors£*n, and LL face and
crime are k:ww m”
“Yea," aukl Thankful eagerly, “but a
part of his own regiment guards the Bosk-
ingridge roaiL’’
"How know you this?" said the major,
seizing her hand.
“He told me.”
Before she could fall on her knees and
beg bis toreivenehs he had darted from
the room, given an order, and returned
with cheeks and eyes blazing.
“Hear me," lie said rapidly, taking the
girl’s two hands, "you know not what
you're done I forgive you. But this is
no longer a matter of duty, but my per
sonal honor I shall pursue this man
alone. I shall return with him, or not at
all. Farewell. God bless youl"
Bnt before he reached the door she
caught him again. “Only say you have
forgiven me once more.”
•Ido.’’
“Gnert!"
Therujto-' something in the girl’s voice.
Utterance of his Chris-
e lifm pause.
“I.tfjtf—a—Le—Just—now. There is a
fleeter horse in the stable than my mare;
’tis the r< an filly In the second stall.”
“God bless you!”
He wr- gone She waited to hear the
clatter of his horse’s hoofs in the road
way. When Caesar came in a few mo
ments lati-r, to tell the news of Capt.
Brewster’s escape, the room was empty;
but R was soon filled again by a dozen
turbulent trooper*.
"Of course she’s gone," said Sergt.
Tlbbitts; “die jade flew with the cap
tain."
“Ay, tls plain enough. Two horses
are gone from the stable besides the ma
jor’s," said Private Hicks.
Nor was thto military criticism entirely
a private one. When the courier arrived
at headquarters the next morning, to was
to bring the report that Mistress Thankful
Bioesoui, after assisting her lover to es
cape, had tied with him. "The renegade
is well off our hands,” said Gen. puillvan
gruffly; "he has saved us the public dis-
S ace of a trial. But this is bad news of
aj Van Zandt."
“What news of the major"’ asked
Washington quickly.
' He pursued the vagabond as far as
Spriugfi.'fd, killing bis horse, and falling
himself insensible before Maj. Merton’s
quarters. Here he became speedily deliri
ous, fever supervened, and the regimental
surgeon, after a careful examination, pro
nounced his case one of smallpox."
▲ whisper of horror and pity went
around the room. "Another gallant sote
filer, who should have died leading a
charge, laid by tho heals by a beggar’s
filthy distemper,” growled Sullivan.
“Where will it end?"
“God knows,” said Hamilton. “Poor
Van Zandt! But whither was be sent—
to the hospital?’’
“No; a special permit was granted in
his case; and ’tls said he was removed to
the Blossom farm—it being remote from
neighbors—and the house placed under
quarantine. Abner Bloqrom has pru
dently absented himself from tho chances
of infection, and the daughter has fled.
The sick man iu attended only by a black
servant and an ancient crone; so that. If
tho poor major eecapes with hto life or
without disfigurement, pretty Mistress
Bolton, of Morristown, need not be scan
dalised or jealous. ”
I
CHAPTER V.
Tho ancient crone alluded to tn the last
chapter bod been standing behind the
window curtains of that bedroom which
had been Thankful Blossom's in the weeks
gone by. Sbu did not move her head, but
stood looking demurely, after the manner
of ancient cronea, over the summer land
scape. For the summer had come before
tho tardy spring was scarce gone, and
the elms before the window no longer
lisped, but were eloqvtant in the softest
zephyrs. There was the flash of birds In
among the bushes, the occasional droning
of bees in and ont the open window, and
a perpetually swinging censer of flower
IncensO rising from below. Tho f:inu
had put on its gayest bridal raiment; and,
looking at the old farm house shadowed
with foliage and green with creeping
tines, it was difficult to conceive that
snow h:id ever lain on its porchea, or
Icicles swung from its mossy eaves.
“Thankful!" said a voice still tremu
lous with weakness.
The ancient crone turned, drew aside
the curtains and showed the sweet face of
Thankful Blossom, more beautiful even In
its paleness.
“Come here, darling," repeated the
voice.
Tlumkful stepped to the sofa whereon
lay the convalescent Maj. Von Zandt.
“Tell me, sweetheart,” said the major,
taking her hand in his, “when you mar
ried me, as you told the chaplain, that
you might have tho right to nurse me, did
you never think that If death spared me I
might be so disfigured that even you, dear
love, would have turned from me with
loathing?”
“That was why I did it, dear," said
Thankful mischievously. “I know that
the pride, and the sense of honor, and self
devotion of snine people would have kept
them from keeping their promises to a
poor girl.”
“But, darling," rontinaed the major,
raising her hand to hU lips, "suppose the
case had been reversed; suppose you hml
taken the disease, tliat I had recovered
without disfigurement, but that this sweet
face"
“I thought of that, too,” Interrupted
Thankful.
“Well, what would yon have done,
dear?" said the major, with his old inia-
•hievous smile.
“I slaiuld bav* died," said Thankful,
gravely
“But how?"
“Somehow. But yon are to go to sleep,
and not ask impertinent and frivolous
questions; for father is coming to-mor
row."
“Thankful, dear, do you know what
the trees aud the birds mud to me as I lay
there tossing with fever?”
“Vo/flenr."
“Thankful Blossom! Thankful Blue
som!’ Thankful Blossom is comingl"
"Do you know what I said, sweetheart,
as I lifted your dear head from the ground
when you reeled from your horse just os
I overtook yon at Springfield?"
“No, di ar."
“Thw-e arc some things in life worth
stooping for." .
And she winged this Parthian arrow
home with a kiss.
TUB EXIk
. womanlike, she did not comprsfarcid
ty of the man; and as she turned to > his rhetoric of honor, but only caught
was caught by his strong arm, and here and there a dull, benumbing idea
t .v, 0 J 1 * ^ rtfrU'j. »«>n- that he dewtoed her, and that in her effort
eatly I think, and perhape more fright- to win Ids love she had killed It, and
ened at her own feolinos than at his ruined hJhi forever. ,
he “If yon think Rstrange,” continued the
re major, “that, believing as 4 do, I stand
o-.lv fa •:Ui>r .imrel axioms when mv
nt of
Notice.
Hitving purchased the stock
of poods of our lather, Mr. S
A. Woods. Sr., we will con
tinue the business in all its
branches, at his old stand, un
der the firm name of Woods &
WoOdit and will endeavor to
merjt tho Jibowd patronage ex
tended to him by/a generous
public.(|f S, 4. WOODS,
C. fc. WOODS.
Nov. 21, 1887.
free as The jur you breathe ! . j
THE DARLIXIiTCN NEWS is one of tbe best weekly papers publish,
i-tl in this comity. We desire aixl • mlesvor to make it a welcoire visitor
encit week It is in fact a paper tb.it ought to be found in tbe boma of
ev. ij lesident ol the county. At t! e sane time, in tbis progressive age,
every tanner should have at bis fire>ide at least one good, clean, pore,
non-sectional agricultural journal, iu addition to bis home paper ; oue
devoted to all tbe pursuits in which be is engaged. He needs it for him
self. He needs it tor his sons and d tughters who are growing into roanx
hoed and won aubood, aud to whom a paper of tbis character is of incal
culable benefit.
CAN HE AFFORD IT? READ OUR PROPOSITION.
To all snbeenbers who are in arre irs on subscription who will pay ail
due us aud one year in advance, aud to all new subscribers who will pay
one year’s Mibseiiptiou in advance, »ve will make a present of oue year's
subscription lo suck au agricultural paper as we described above. It is
nuue other than
THE AlMIEIRICA.ISr EA RJULEE.
A large 16 page monthly magazine, handsomely illustrated, neatly print
ed, folded, pasted and trimimd. It is published at Fort Watnc, Ind.,
aud has fur its object the betterment of tbe condition of tbe Farmer, ibe
Gardener, tbe Horse-breeder, the Dairyman, the Shephetd, tbe Ponltry-
oian, and their households, no matter where they live, whether in the
east, v est, north or south. It is a {taper of uatioual circulation, going
into every State and territory as well as in all the Provinces of tbe Do
minion ef Canada. This is the opportunity or a limetime.
The regular subscription price of THE AMERICAN FARMER is $1
-per year, but both p.ipera will be sent for (he price of oue. Call at this
office and see sample copies of this popular agricultural paper and you
will be sure to take advantage of this magnificent offer.
'.EAR
Begs to remind the public that he is better prepared than ever
before to meet the demands of the present season, which
promises* to be the most active that Darlington has
seen for years.
His stock, which embraces every line, almost,' one can think
of, taken as a whole, is probably the largest ever carried by
any single firm in Darlington ; has been carefully selected* witL
a view to meeting the wants of the multitude who favor him
. with their patronage.
Here are a few of the many
baug-aicts!
Ills STOKE I FILLED WITH
36 inch Wool Cashmere at 25 cents per yard, worth 35 cts;
36 inch Henrietta Cloth at 50 cents per yard, worth 65 cents ;
A full line ol Black Cashmeres from 15 cents to $1 per yard.
A full line of Braided Seta and Velvets at various prices and
shades to match the large line of
DRESS GOODS.
-A. ZFTTLL 3-.I2TE OF
GENTS’, LADIES’, AND CHILDREN’S SHOES.
12000 yards Plaids, bought below the market, and will be aold-
ftccordingly.
500 suits Men’s, Boys’ and Children’s ready-made clothing, at
Sweeping Bargains. Hats and shirts in proportion.
200 Barrels Flour bought direct from the Mills before ad
vance in the market, and being sold at less than legular prices.
All heavy Groceries bought in Car Load quantities, and are
ild ia bulk at prices that corapaie favorably with Charleston
HC ©LX" Ci"\7^SAX*0«
Uur Hardware Department, in charge of Mr. J. H. Early,
has in ,-tock 'he l«rge.xt, as k'ell as the best, assortment of
Stoves and Stov- Furniture ever exhabited in Eastern South
( arolina. Having bought by Car Load "ttrt-'rely, we are pre
pared to make figures that defy competition.
In Sewing Machines w; handle the White, American. House
hold and Hartford, all strickly first-class ; also m ichine need
les, oils and attachments tor all machines.
Wc carry a large line of Engines and Mill supplies, such ns
Belting, Packing, Lacing, and all kinds of Meam Fittings in
iron and brass; Lubricating and Cylinder OfTs Tallow, etc.
Machine Bolts in every size.
Agricultural machinery, such as Cotton Gins, Feedcf-H and
Condensers, Presses, Mowers, Horse Rakes, Grain Drills, etc.
Pumps tor driven wells, a specialty.
We are agents for several first class Steam Engines and Mills
and would lie pjeased to give bottom figures to those desiring
to purchase a ginnimr or saw mill outfit.
September 13, 1888,
C. 8. I M,
Manuiacturers
—OF —
Doors, Sash, Bilims,
3VEOXJL33IlSrC3-S
. —AND-
Huitding Material,
ESTABLISHED 184fi.
CHARLE6T0X, S. C.
Noxnubcr 5, 1886— 1/
T--.
• • t •14 » V
J K..91clyer
— DEALER IN —
IFTTIRNITTTiRE
AND
HOUSE FURNISHING GOODS.
STAPLE and FANCY
GROCERIES.
Tallow, Engine and Machine Oila.
BUCKEYE CORN BBELLEftS.
Sep. 6, '88—ly.
jOrfjyt \i
FOU c. A l>. AM‘C. * . HA1LKOAD8
rSBSIDKXT'a Uffick
C. A L>. axd (’. A S. R AILROADS
CUilesiuu, S. C., l, 18S7
)n *n>l nttar May 1, the Itain, on
roailn will run ns fol’ows (Buml*/ *x-
c *pled) rte,jr Usy:
down thain.
L«“n*e Wsfleehoro 2.20
Ccuneils a 40
Morven’* 3,03
MsFurUnd 3.40
Le*Te Cberaw 4.26
C*sh’»
Society HiU 4 67
Dnre’s t 20
Darlington 6.40*
I’nlincite 6 53
Arr;»e nt Florence 6 10
OP TEA IS.
Leate Florence 10.83
Palmeilo 10 48
Darlington i. v*
Dots’* n.21
SceislyHill •••••a »•••*• • ..*.11.44
Bask s ...........m........... 12 01
Lear* Ch.-raw 12^0
MuFsrUa 100
fsssss#*••«•• •••••••.!, 120
BmbsU’s l 82
Uk* WadcsUro.............. * 00
A. V. RATEJtIL, Ppm.
0 H, IfuteV'TrMipsrtaiiaa.
A M
PN
—ttx/b
Jt^OUriiKASTEEH IAILEOad.
Oeaoasstss, $• C. f July 15 igoo
Oa and after this date the fnii •
tebedule will be rua : fgl!owi »«
GOING SOUTH.
No. *7, Dally.
Lm«sf IdTesos
Leave Kiagetree
Arrive Lanes
Leave Lanes
Arrive Charleston
No. 28, Duly.
Leave Florence
Le .ve Kingetree
Arrive Lanes
Lesve Lanes
Arrive Cbsriesloo
No 61.
Leave Florence
Leeve Kingetree
Arrive Lsnes
Leave Lanes
Arrive Charleston
No 53.
Leave Lance
Arrive* Charleston j
Train on C * D R R connects at v
enec with No 61 Train. at * #r *
GOING NORTH,
No, 78, Daily.
Leave Charleston
Arrive Lanes
Leave Lanes
Leave Kingetree
Arrive Flereae*
•130 a,
2 30 » B
2 50 a m
aso.n
5 (Wan
*8 00.,
9 80..
9 W a m
11 30 . n
t«25 p ,
7 42pn
8 95 p n
*8 05 p n
9 60 p n
No. 14,
Leave Cnarleston
Arrive Lanes
Leave Lanes
Leave Kingetree
Arrive Florence
No. 68. Daily,
Leave Charleston
Arrive Lsnes
No 60.
*12 16 . a
8 45 a ■
2 50 . n
* *0 a *
320a.
*4 80 p .
6 26 pn
G25p«
641 p .
8 00.p .
*7 00»«
3 30 a «
6 30»m
8 10 a.
810
836
Leave Loaes
Leave Kingstree
Leave Laees
Leave Kingetree
* Daily: f Daffy except Sunday.
Train No. 60 connects at Florence with
ain ou 0 A D R R for Cheraw, S. (;„ ..j
wlrsboro. N. (!.
Noa 62 runs through tn Columbia
a Central R R nfS C.
No 64 leaves Charleston Soodaysoely.
8 30 A. M., anti runs through ria Cen-
ni R. R. of 8 C , arrive Columbia, s c.
1 10 P. M.
Noe. 78 and 14 run solid lo Wilmington,
C.. making close couneciion with W. t
R R for all pouts north.
.J R. KEN1.Y, J F. Diviss,
Supt Trans. (JenM Sup’!.
T. M. Emkuson. Qen’l pass. Agt.
i!iJi.N«Tox (miBiA l\# mm Luitiu
July 15 1888.
GOING dOUTH
No. 23.
Leave Wiluiugton
Leave Marion
Arrive Florence
Leave Florence
Arrive Sumter
Leave Snmter
Arrive Columbia
Leave Wilmiegtee
Leave Marios
Arrive Fieceuc*
Leeve 8umter
Arrive Celuiabi*
No. 50.
N*. *7
Nt 68
•8 05
11 16 p a
12 10 a a
S.ti) a a
4.40 a a
4 40 a a
6. 16 a a
*10.10 * a
13.87 pa
1 20a a
fVIOsa
10 30 p a
No. 15
Leave Wilmtnriee.
Leave Marion
Arrive Florence
Nett
Leave at Floresce
\rrive Sumter
Leave Sumer
rrive Columbia
Nett
*2*0 pa
5 Up a
0 lOpa
ffl 20pa
7 10 pa
*7 47 p a
9 06 pa
No 62 run* threugb free* Cherlvstaa via
C«it r%l R K
Craving Laura 8 22 A M.. MaaaiagSit
A M.
No 56 runs through from Cbarlv»ioi vie
(Vutral K R. trav>eg Lane* 6 85 P to. Mas-
nine 7 12 1’ M.
Train ou C & l> It P oanueoivat Fltrtow
with No b*.
UOINQ NORTH.
No 61
oravt Columbia.
Arri«e Ham ter
Leave Sumter , -
Arrive Floieaob
No. 78.
Lrave Floresce,
Leave Marion
Amv* et Wilmington,
Re. 67
Leave Columbia -
Arrive flumter
Leave Hunter
Arrive Florence
Nett
Re M
•I 25 p n
I #62 p a
1 52 p a
2 20 s a
4 35 a •
5 22 a a
8 86 a ■
*7 00 sa
8 16 *■
|H 26 SB
it 10 a a
flOOOkB
10 42 a a
140 pa
*6 88 pa
6 45p ■
8 20 p a
8 56 p a
U 50pa
Leave Florenea,
Leave Marion
Arrive *1 Wilmington,
.'■e. 63,
Leave Columbia
Arrive Hum ter
No 14
Leavs Pl«renc* , . ;
Leuve M irion
Arriv* at Wilmingtoa
•I'aily. fOeily ••••P 1 flttaAsj-
No 68 runs ibreupb t* Cbarlretos, vto
Central R R, arriving Manning 7 12 r a,
Unea 7 48 P M. Charleston 9 10 P to-
No 67 runs Ibrough to Cherlestos v»
Central R R. arriving Manning 8 60 A ■.
Lanes 9 29 A M. Charleston 11 80 A m.
No 66 eoneeoH*al Florence with Lit?
traie for Cberaw and Wadesboro .
Nos 78 and 14 make close
Wilmington with W A W R R for all ptoto*
North.
JOHN F. DIVINI; Gon’1 S*f*
J. R. KENLY. Hupt Treo*.
T M. EMMEBHON, Goto. P** _
PATENTS
Obtained, and all Patent ba»>n««^'
tended to Promptly and for Moderel*
Our office U opposHo the U. »• . —
Office, and w* can obtain P* 1 * 0 h .
time than those remote from WasM P ^
Seed Model of Drawing. W* advuo
to palsetability free ^ ®^arg*!
make No Charge uni tea PateaU* ***
We refer, here, to the
Hupt. of Money Order Div, aad to 0®
of the U. 8. Patent Offie*. ^ *
advise. Ujrm* and refereaees lo act r
„u i.... •j^5?fooT
Oppoaii e Patent Cffiee, Washlefto*-
Rev II. ’tt
^.fllidsftea
< BCOTT, Cleritee Dro0*W.*g
- Dariitt'**' 0,
..rt.
m
Rear of the
July 6, '88-41
: a