The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-01-11


and toilet accessories, she left me alone.
7 bathed my face, combcd and braided my
hair and brushed my teeth, as l had been
accustomed to do at the home, and then,
having nothing else to 90, I drew chair to
the window and So: down to wait for the re-
appearance Of the maid. While sitting here
my attention was drawn to two children.
BOYS, who were in company with large dog
racing up and down the lawn short dis
tance from the house. One was dark
faced lad Of perhaps twelve years. knew
ct once that he was Mrs. Clayton's son, the
resemblance was so great. But the other
child was much younger, not more than i've
years old, and fair with light curling hair.
"It must be they have no little girls l
said to myself; "that is the reason they
have adopted me-
Just here the maid entered. briskly.
sWell, little miss, ready ior breakfast y
she said, chcerily; ''bCt, If you please, what
is your name?h
"Dorcas Lynn" answered.
"Thank We, miss; mine is Maggie Mitch
ell, and Mrs. Clayton sent me to fetch ye
down to breakfast"
So saying she led the way to the break
fast-room. It was largo. lofty room;
and the table, at which the family were
already seated, was gEtsering with cut
glass and silver. There were at the
table Mrs. Clayton, her husband. stolid,
corpulent man of fifty, perhaps, Miss Ar
mund, the two boys had seen in the gar
den, and little girl Of about my own age, l
thought, though ! afterward discovered
that she and her brother were twins;
therefore she was two years my senior. But
she was certainly the most strikiagly-band-
some child had ever seen. To me, IN fact,
she looked as I might have imagined an
ange, would. She was fair as the lily, with
a soft, rose tint in either cheek; her hair
was golden as d sunbeam, her eyes blue Us
the sky in June, and her lips like wet coral.
She was seated near her mother. and gave
me cold stare of Indifference when took
my place beside her. No one spoke; the
very air seemed oppressive. Taken SSo-
gather, it vas most uncomfortable neal
and felt glad when il was ended.
The children Immediately withdrew when
breakfast was over. I remained standing
by Miss Armund, hardly knowing, what to
do. Nh Clayton arose, and placing his
~ 4Lo pCShStSs 1SS"ANS~ @-AN ~-~ ~
questioning manner for few moments,
and then asked: ''What is this Child here
for, Lena?''
Ills tone was more the one of servant
addressing master than that Of a husband
addressing a wife, I thought
Mrs. Clayton flushed angrily at the ques-
ton, but her voice was steady enough when
she answered him.
s:She is q proucge of my friend, Miss
Armund," she said.
';Oh! on. yes; very me one, Miss
.Arnund," he said, suavely.
Thank you," was Miss Armund:s chilly
reply.
Yes, yes, ma'an; not at all" and taking
his hat, he hastily left the room.
Again strange stiffness fell upon Us.
Mrs. Clayton had risen and gene to the win
dow, where she stood idly beating
against the panes with her white
jcwclcd fingers. Miss Armund sat still and
grave, the hard lines around her mouth
harder and griulmer than ever. She clasped
her large, bony hands together and looked
Ike ere who struggled with great passion
Of 1&ss oS remorse, but her face cleared st.