The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-02-15
CHAPTER X.

well grown girl Of seventeen, and thouen
had mixed very little in society l fattereo
myself was in q measure free from thaO
awkwardness so painfully common to glrls
brought up in scclusion. I had during TINS
time heard occasionally from the Clayton $,
who still resided at Caledon, as OF OLD.
Irma Barrett was not yet married, though
she had been reigning belle for two sea-
sons. Her beauty and immense fortune
brou ght her hosts OF admirers, but her vain
nature would not yet allow her to be bound
by the chains of bctrothal or rlatrlmony.
Oliver Dudley was still single also, though
sometimes heard with stron pang at my
heart. Of his assidious attention to rna
Barrett.
"What was it to me-" asked myself,
angrily, s'whether he married the helress or
not?''
Surely he was nothing to me. Had he
not scorned the little beggarly dependant,
and did not have cause for hating him Tor
such an ungrateful return for the devotion
to him cherished! And did hate him,
cried, angered at my foolish heart, that
Just as often gave proof Of the falseness OF
this assertion.
It was the winter of my seventeenth year
that Mrs. Kent received an urgent invita-
ton from friend in New York to visit her.
They had been old and dear friends, and
Mrs. Kent, though she did not like the
idea of a gay winter in the metropolis, yet
felt obliged to accept her friends invitation
for the sake of old times.
Having never yet caught even
glimpse of the gay world, it is no wonder I
| felt some delight, yet great deal OF
trcpidation, at the thought of being a
visitor at one Of the richest and most
fashionable mansions in the city. Mrs.
Kent. having no desire that should appear
backward or illclad, provided me with an
ample wardrobe and spent much time In
instructing me in fashionable etiquette-to
all of which I listened with closest atten-
ton, determined that if possible my kind
| patron should have no cause to feel mortl-
fed at my appearance.
ssDear child,'' said Mrs Kent. chow anx-
ious YOU are to improve yourself in my eyes;
thought she added, you are good enough
and polished enough already, for you have
| never caused me moments discomfort
since yon became my dear adopted daugh-
ter.''
And I felt that she had paid me the high
est compliment T could have cared to
hear.
We finally found ourselves domiciled at
Mrs. Leiberg's splendid and hospitable
mansion. She, like my adopted mother,
was widow with married sons and daG
ters. One son, however, resided with his
mother and his wife and their lovely chill
drea were the pride of her heart
We were warmly received, and I
felt at home at once with the
whole family. I now for the first
time enjoyed the society Of young
people I felt somewhat backward at first,
but this gradually wore of, and was soon
able to chat with comparative ease with my
new acauaintances. We attended concerts,
musical soirees; we visited the art CALLER
les, the museums, we rode in the park; We
attended the theater and opera, in iact, in
6Rlged IN all those expensive luxuries and
,ostly pleasures that only the rich can at
ford
We were one day driving in the park, my
self, the younger Mrs. Iceberg and the
children, when suddenly a carriage passed
US in whose occupants recognized some
thing strangely familiar. leaned forward
to catch closer glimpse, and as did SO the
gentleman turned his head and l caught
sight of his face. could not be mistaken
the dark eyes, the soft curling hair
and shapely form were none other than
Oliver Dudley's. I knew him instantly,
and it only needed a glance at the golden
hair of the beauty beside him to ascertain
that it was Irma Barrett.
I sank back with quick, keen pain at ny
heart; my hand clutching aimleSSly at my
rich sable muff, my checks growing
strangely pale, knew, for kind Mrs.
Iceberg at once encuired if ! were i'll.
ssOh! no; it is nothing" I answered,
calmly enough, wondering even at myself
that could be so strongly moved at the
sight of this man, who was not, nor ever
could be, aught to me.
Invent home feeling strangely depressed.
It was probable then that the Claytons
were in the city. had heard Of their some
times visiting here. should be almost GER
tain to meet them knew, and my heart beat
quickly at.the thought, for never could re-
gard them in any other light than my Bit
terest enemies.
Mrs. Kent met me in the parlor. "There
is gentleman to see you in the drawing
room, Dorrie,'' she said, smiling. "Strange
gentlemanl finds our house of late," she
added, archly. ''And Colonel Baily called
also this morning Really, Dorrie, you are
getting to be quite belle"
I laughed lightly at her words, and ran
up to my room to remove my wraps before
going down to meet my friend. felt
angry at myself that could not feel more
than a passing interest in this handsome
young Balfour, whose admiration for me
had been a patent fact since our first meet
ing He was rich, young, handsome-what
more could desire. My friends, too, all
looke1 upon. him with favor, and ! felt
guilty when I remembered how had en-
couraged his attention when felt for him
only friendship, not love, not even the ghost
of it.
There was also Colonel Baily, another, in
every way, eligible suitor; except in the
matter of age, he being number of years
my senior, though not old, by any means;
among men, some would have called him.
But did not care for him,I said, perversely.
7 should never fall in love; men were all
alike to me, and why did they annoy me
with their attentions.
ssNow, if Oliver Dudley were Edgar
Balfour," found myself saying, and then
stopped. "Dorcas Lynn" cried, mentally,
in rage with myself, s'for such foolish
thoughts am ashamed Of you; Surely you
have lost much of your boasted pride to
lament man you never knew, beside, one
who is engaged to another;' and thus silence
ing my heart went down determined to be
very kind to Mr.. Balfour in future and to