The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-02-22
;hey were proud also, but kind-hearted,
nnp c0O16 IpiSh


withal, and hospitable as one could wish.
But this race, though once numerous, was
fast dying out, so that at the time OF my
story there was only one family that bore
the old name. They had four daughters,
but only one son, young Phillip Caledon, the
pet of his sisters, the idol OF his parents,
was the only one left to bear the fine old
name and inherit the grand estate. He was
kind and moral young man, and sensible,
too. in spite of all the spelling he had re-
ceived Yet, like all young men who are
good deal sought after ne was little ln-
cl;ned to flirt with the fair sex, though not
bv any means lady's man or dandy. de
was so courteous, so kind and so pleasant
that more than one fair face blushed at his
glance. and more than one heart ached
when they discovered that young Phillip
was still heart whole and fancy free.
But time wore on, and it was at last de-
clared that Master Phillip had at last fallen
victim to the tender passion. Pretty
Sonora Eldridge, with her black eyes and
winning smiles, had awakened q feeling Of
love hitherto unknown in that manly bosom.
This is what the gossips said, but whether
there was any truth or not in this report at
the tin.e of its spreading l know not. But
that it was wrong was evident when,
month later, as Mr.. Caledon, in company
with Miss Eldridge, was out on a pleasure
excursion in company with large crowd, a
Young lady accidentally fell overheard and
must have drowned had it not been for the
timely aid of Phillip Calcdon, who springing
into the water, rescued her and brought her
safely to land. She, it proved, was young
teacher who, intent upon holiday, had
come unattended on board the yacht. She
was not handsome, as heroines arc general
" painted in novels, but she was wonder
fully attractive. Atleast so Phillip Caledon
found her, for he devoted himself to her
from that day, and in less than three
months they We're married. She was an
orphan, and he took her at once to live in
his grand country seat where he had every
thing fitted up in the richest style, and they
were as happy as two birds, they said, being
entirely devoted to each other.
But how Jared it with Lenora Eldridge,
who had firmly set her heart on being mis-
tress of Caledon, and whom rumor very
kindly pointed oat as the Tilted fair one OF
Phillip Caledcu. That she was angry, NOR
tilted and wouaded we have no doubt, but
she did not choose to please her many ad-
miring friends by wearing the willow even
for Phillip Caledon. Accordingly the we'd
ding bells had hardly ceased ringing for
Phillip Caledon and Dorcas Welby when
they rang again for Edgar Barrett and Le-
nora Eldridge.
Then all seemed settled for awhile for
everybody except for Agnes Armund,
the poor widows daughter, who lived in
little cottage ON the Caledon estate, and
had loved and worshiped Phillip Caledon as
neither Lenora Eldridge nor Dorcas Welby
ever did. 1t was the love of a life time, the
love that is the curse Of some, that she
poured, all unasked. at his feet. And he
why careless not a kindly smile, helping
hand, was all he ever dreamed of bestowing
on the coarse, lonely hireling who would
have given her life for him 80 gladly.
''But with Agnes Armund, as said before,
all seemed strangely unsettled, and people
were wont to shake their heads when they
passed her, Tor twas said she was little
queer. Howbeit, q year passed away, and
there was born to Mr.. Barrett beautiful
twin boy and girl. They were the Joy of
their fathers heart, he said, and If rumor
spoke true, he had need of something to
comfort him beside the cold, unfcellng
woman who had married him simply for
subtcrfuge from gossip, and who made his
life burden by her sharp complaining
about their poverty; for he was only
struggling young barrister, and could not
afford many luxuries to his beautiful, but
unhappy, young wife. But. suddenly, just
as prospects were beginning to brighten for
them, Mr.. Barrett died, leaving his young
wife in poor circumstances, with her two
children only year Old. simultaneously
with his death was the death of Dorcas
Caledon, Philip Caledon's young, much-loved
wife. She left tiny babe only day old;
little girl-Dorcas, they called her, after her
mother Mr.. Caledon was nearly crazed
with grief at the loss of his wife; but grad
ually he began to look upon the babe with
some interest and to find comfort in watch
ing its pretty attempt at playfulness, for it
was q strong, healthy child, and grew fast.
''But what was the horror and anguish of
the father and the grief and CONSERVATION
of the servants, when one day the little
crib was found empty, and no trace Of the
babe could be obtained. The nurse had left
il ouietly Sleepin in its little bed and when