The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-02-15
wr FLORENCE E. DIAMOND.
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
: To add to my discomfort at noon dr1z-
cling rain began to fall, and soon the wno
blew fercely. So severe, indeed, became
the storm I was forced to seek shelter IN
wood where remained the afternoon and
night, wet, shiverng and nearly perishing
with cold and hunger. The storm cleared,
however, in the night, and the sun rose
bright and clear in the morning. I dragged
myself out of the thicket where had lain,
and by great difficulty gained the high road,
but I found could no longer continue my
tourney. Ny limbs ached, as did my head,
while one moment was chilled to the bone,
the next burning with fever. Lights danced
before NY eyes, and grew so faint and
giddy could scarcely stand. Slowly creep
ing along thus I determined to stop at
neat white house by the road, and accord
ingly opening the gate crept slowly up
the walk.
A sweetfaced lady was briskly opening
the shutters as came IN. But she paused
and uttered an exclamation when she saw
me, and no wonder, for more pitaole look
ing object could hardly have met your eyes
than was a. that moment
Ny clothes were wet and splashed with
mud my hat hung limp over my disheveIed
hair, aud my shoes were IN tatters. But
my falling strength made me regardless OF
looks went to the window. 1tried to tel
the woman that was weak, starving and
Ill, but my words mixed themselves up in
strange, confused manner. A mist came
before my eyes, and remembered nothing
more till awoke lying on lounge IN
pleasant room with the kind face had seen
at the window bending over me, while she
bathed my head, rubbed my benumoed
hands and strove IN every way to arouse
me to consciousness. When l had IN a
measure recovered, she removed my outer
garments, took of my soaked shoes and
stockings, and smoothed out my tangled
hair, her soft, gentle touch soothing some
what the burning pain in my head. She
asked me no questions; she merely accept
ed my situation as matter Of course, and
Il had aroused her curiosity she did noteX-
press it.
She then brought me cup Of tea and
bit Of toast, which she urged me to eat; but,
while drank the tea, I could not touch the
toast, though made several Intellectual at
tempts to do so, wishing to crafty my kind
benefactor.
ssNever mind eating it, child" she said,
seeing my attempts. ''If you do not feel
ike eating you had better not" And saw
tears in her soft blue eyes as she spoke.
She then conducted me to room, dis
robed me gently as mother might, and
tucked me in the softest Of beds and drew
the curtains to shut out the light from my
aching eyes, and soon fell into troubled
h,,t a
TINS came a long blank, or rather dull con-
fused dream in which in imagination
travelled hundreds Of miles, ever tolllng on
over stony roads and up steep and dizzy
heights, or else scrambled through dense
thickets, or was lost in the labyrinth Of deep
forests, or walked by cool streams and
buDbIng fountains, but not one drCp could
Iobtain to quench my burning thirst, and
ever before me was the face of 1rraa Bar
ret. saw the gleam Of her golden hair
and the CLINT Of her blue eyes wherever I
turned
But these were dreams only, fever dreams
that worried my brain, while the fever that
coursed through my frame burned unceas-
ingly until, compelled to die out for want Of
fuel, it left me weak as an infant But. at
tended as was by skilled physician, and
watched over by Mrs. Kent (for that,
found, was her name), with the utmost
soicitude, soon began to grow better.
It had been November when fell III, but
1t was mi6-winter when, wrapped in shawls,
crept TO the window for the first time and
gazed out on the leaheSs trees and brown,
swinging vines in the garden. But was
glad to creep back again to the warm-cush-
Soaed chair by the fire where Mrs. Kent sat
busly knitting, and smiling at my attempts
at walking.
!: But grew better rapidly, and was soon
able to lay aside invalid wraps and chairs.
One day when I had grown quite strong,
Mrs. Kent gently asked me to tell her my
story, for she felt sure, she said, there was
something amiss or would not have been
in such strait. Without any hesitation
frankly told her my entire history so far as
] knew it. Of my parents or their antece-
dents Of course could not say, but left
nothing untold; even my childish attach
ment to Mr.. Dudley revealed, and my trust
in bis assistance in helping to unraTel the
mystery which felt sure surrounded me.
Then told of his return, his cold words,
his seeming Indifference, which broke my
heart, and made me resolve to no longer
he dependent upon the bounty of others.
Mrs. Kent sat silent and thoughtful for
some time after hearing my story. Ev-
identity she was striving in her own mind to
arrive at some definite conclusion in re-
gard to the matter. But she spoke at last,
quietly, gently as ever.
ssWen, my dear, can not help thinking
perhaps you would have done better not
to have left so hastily; at least, not until
you had seen and talked with this Mr.. Dud-
ley,n she said. ssBut what is done is done,
and we can not change it. l do not know
this family, though have heard Of them;
but it is likely that Mrs. Clayton and this
Miss Arnund are connected by som secret,
but it might be and might not be for your
benefit to discover it. However, I wish now
TO talk Of yourself. We have been brought
together under very strange circumstances.
! can not help thinking that some good will
arise from it. Now, Dorcas, have a plan
to propose. ! am alone with the exception
of Ann, the servant girl. have no compan-
ion; my two children are both married and
living abroad; my husband, as once told
you, died a few months since. Therefore,
am very lonely. I should dearly love
companion. like you, Dorcas. You are
young and friendless. VIII you accept a
home with mes''
"Would I remain in paradise, if could?''
! cried, falling down at her feet and laying
my head in her lap in a perfect transport OF
Joy and thanhulness. Mrs. Kent, If I
ever prove ungrateful for your kindness
may be punished as deserve. Surely there
Is no one as kind and good as you"