The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-01-25

sslM, 49, VIZ ysgTI
1EAp MARKED HIM FOR RECOGNITION.
have torn my eyes out if had not defended
myself.''
"Yes, indeed" chimed in Irma, anxious
to defend her brother. ''You must not
blame him, Mr.. Roland; this little beggar
would have hurt him if she could"
During this Interesting coloquy had
stood quite still, too angry, hurt and bewll-
dered to speak. But at 1rma's cruel words
nv temper blazed again. A torrent of
words were on my tongue, but, happening
to glance one side, saw face peering
through the shrubbery. knew it in an in
slant, it was my friend on the cars. knew
the laughing eyes and the brown, curling
hair. There was broad smile on his face
could see, also. His appearance decided
me. I did not pause to reply or defend my
self before the gentleman, but, catching my
books from the ground, fed toward the
house, never pausing till reached my own
room, where sank down, painting and ex-
hausted.
had never remembered being angry be-
for and this new feeling of rage and hate
fairly overpowered me. When hurt or
grieyed before had always wept, but not
q tear dimmed my eyes now, whose merry
flashes would have scorched the fountain
up. But at length grew calmer, re
moved my bonnet and bathed my face and
hands. It was then became conscious OF a
singing pain in my left arm, l pushed up
nv sleeve and found livid blue mark
across nv arm which was also severely
bruised, either by my fall or from blow
in the afray had just taken part in. 1
looked at my bruised arm with terrible
feeling of rage and grief, not so much at
the injury, that would soon heal, but there
are scars on our memory that never heal
This was one. had never been struck be-
fore, and though it must be remembered
struck first, yet in my own eyes, certainly,
and in others perhaps, was quite justified
in doing so. Therefore my feeling Of out
rage was the same as though had been
:gnominiously beaten without cause.
Irving Barrett, no doubt, regarded the
whole affair as joke, yet he hardly guessed
that that one cruel act would be weighed
in the balance against him when that same
scale was balanced for life or death.
"Wen, Miss, yer uncommon sober to
night"
I started. It was Maggie's CHEEKY voice
at my elbow that aroused me from my
gloomy thoughts. I did not answer, but fol-
lowed her out and into the supper-room
without word.
After supper inquired who the gentle
men were had seen in the garden.
"The black whiskered one," said Maggie,
"is Mr.. Roland, an old friend Of the family;
he is here every summer The other young
man, it seems, is friend of his; 1never saw
him before to-day; his name is Oliver Dud
ley, and handsome, proper-spoken young
fellow he is, too" she added.
Invent back to my room and moped in 81
lence until dark, when, seeing the family
were all assembled in the grand drawing
room, crept out, and taking the first path
7 came to, wandered aimlessly on, scarcely
knowing or caring whittier it led, till found
myself on the shore Of lovely lake, on
whose clear surface the moonlight was rest
ing, silvering each wave that rose till it
looked like molten silver.
Drawn up to the shore was beautiful
boat with softly cushioned seats, and pair
Of oars handsomely carved rested in the
oarlocks. stood watching this moonlight
scene with such keen delight that did not
notice the approach of party coming near
until they were close upon me. I had bare
u time to conceal myself behind one OF the
rustic seats that lined the shore as they all
came up laughing, chatting and seeming in
high spirits. There were in the party Mr.
and Mrs. Clayton, Irma and Irving, and also
the two gentlemen had seen in the after
noon. Itrembled lest they should discover
me, for Mrs. Clayton came so near that her
silken skirts brushed my hands as !
crouched beneath the seat; but, fortunately
for me, they passed and entered one Of the
boats without noticing me. I could hear
the dip of the oars as they rowed out on the
lake. How would have liked to accompany
them. had never been in a boat in my life,
and I fancied it must be a great pleasure to
float, as they were doing, over the silver
waves. But could not go, so remained
where was, listening to the sound Of their
merry voices, and hating them all the more
heartily, think. even wished that the
boat would upset, and, not drown them,
was not quite so bad as that, but give then
awetting.
But they came to shore at last. The gen
tlemen assisted the ladies out and the party
1StN4 uSO w" o4O SIC IOooSs Oil DOG Ill.
Dudley, he fingered behind and lit cigar.
I could see the blue rings Of smoke curling
up through the clear air.
The rest Of the party went on, evidently
not missing him. He waited until they
were out Of hearing and I was devoutly
wishing he would go on when he walked
ieisurely up to the seat, behind which was
hiding, and stopped. I could see his face
plainly in the moonlight, and there was
smile upon it. Could he be laughing at me!
Had he seen mea I asked myself; and he
answered as if instantly divining my
thoughts:
'Yes know you are there. Come out!
What are you hiding for!'
I crawled out and stood before him,
very turnbled, confused looking object, no
doubt, from my hiding among the reeds and
rushes that grew on the bank
$50 you hid, did you9" he inquired, looA
ing at me still with that kind, quizzical look,
half laughing, half serious, on his face.
'sWere you afraid, little onea" putting out
his hand and drawing me gently to his side
stroking my tumbled hair with his white
shapely hand.
'sNo, sir" answered, sullenly, "but they
did not want me and hid to keep out Of
their sight"