The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-08-01
tablet of light from the ground.

UuEISS.
'Here she is. Hold tight to: her bride,
Mr.. Gurley.''
''Oh, Bess is no runaway. At least, she
wasn't before you put a premium on her
capers. l am obliged to her for bringing
you downstairs. May be I've been perse-
cutting you with calls lately.
''No!" said Phoebe, earnestly.
'sNo! Take my arm back to the house,
won't you. There's harrow or part OF an
old wagon-bed wrecked hereabouts, and the
starlight is hardly strong enough for US to
see it. I know the bearings pretty well,
though"
s.Mr. Gurley, will you do great, great
service for me2"
Don't you know would do anything in
the world for yous"
ssBut this is so risky, so dangerous, I
ought not to ask it. I want you to take
me to Mr. Barker's. I am afraid to stay
herev
"Afrai5a'' said Gurley There he stopped,
without dwelling even in thought upon the
probable cause.
''You are not afraid of Bess, anyhow" he
observed, with slight laugh. "Or her
present saddle, either. VIII you.r ride her
| and let me leads''
"Oh, thank YOU"
s'Not at all, I assure you. And know
you can mount from the hand. That's it.
Are you ct all comfortable nows"
"Yes," replied Phoebe. I feel safe al
ready"
'sShe must learn to walk, and she hates
it." said Gurley, as they started, Bess Civ
ing an impatient jerk at her rein. am
oR1Sc
Fawcett offered me hers, but it IS hardly
according to my notions You said you'd
ride with me. But scarcely expected we'd
set out this way"
Phoebe laughed.
''But Pm glad she hates to- walk. 'When
you 60 home, ride fast. There might be
something on the road"
ssI did have an adventures below here,"
said Gurley, recollecting. ''Some fellow
tried the prank Of grabbing my bride, but
I marked him, and hen probably get ex-
cused from chapel for few days.
s'What is that by the gates" breethed
Phoebe, shrinking toward the horses peck.
'sNothing but bush"
sob, yes; remember
''Our eyes will soon be accustomed tosthe
dark. don't believe know the best route
to Barker's. They live Of the main.road,
don't theys"
"Yes, and if we turn into the woodsshere
by the school-house there. is sledsroad
which will lead us.''
Into the woods near the sc hool-housesthey
accordingly turned. The d ight air made
far-away aeoian sound among tree limbs,
and beyond the hollow, Guys dogs could be
heard barking at intervals. 9
Phoebe covered once or Twice again, but
the sentinel object ahead CT them always
proved to be stump insteai of Thane. She ;
glanced backward, suspecdng that he had
followed them; he had disal ,peared too soon
after Bess overthrew him o be far off. AS
Gurleys and Boss feet { rod undisturbed
ahead, however, Phebe's confidence re-
turned.
'sIf you come to harms on my account
she said, 81 would notSnow how to en-:
dure it.''
"Do you think these woods are full
Of wolves and robber g" laughed Gurley..
"As long ago as my jacket days they hadn't
evan wildcat to make them interesting
Painter is the only monster that is, sup
wrap on! Aren't you coldsn
'Just little col6., but hadn't noticed it
myself. did not stop for shawl. And
what viii they think when they find you are
gone without any overcoatm
They'll think Pm chasing Bess toward
her stable" replied Gurley, in amusement.
'sIt was fortunate I snatched up my hat
Here: you must let me wrap this around
your shoulders He halted Bess.
"What is itst" inquired Phoebe, but the
gleam Of his hirt-sleeves was token enough.
Indeed, won't take your coat, Mr.. Cur
Icy. Indeed, l will not. If you don't put it
ON again Pn go back in the dark by myself
It is not cold night. don't shiver because
am chilly
"As you please,' said Gurley, throwing it
across his arm and moving on. ''1t does
smell Of cigars. I feel like grand wood
chopper stalking along this way"
SIT wasn't cigars. You know it wasn't
cigars. lwant you to put it on, please"
Here said Gurley, '.is conflict Of
wills. The line-tempered but firm inelastic
wonan's will, and the big brutal mans will.
II he gives way he creates dangerous pre-
cedent, and in this case makes himself con-.
temptible.'
ut isn't any conflict" said Phoebe. "I'm
only begging you to do as want you to-"
That's the artful way IN which the wom-
ans will operates" laughed Gurley. 'But
will obey you,'' he added, with gentle seri-:
BUSINESS, ''even in this case, because your
slightest wish is going,to have lifelong
power over me-"
No." gasped Phoebe, feeling her heart
close It's muscles as with grip.
Yes. My place is at your bride rein"
He turned his face up toward her, his eyes
smiling through the. dark, and threw the
coat around his shoulders, buttoning it IN
der his chin. II don't want to be too warm
while you are not wrapped at all, though"
And that's a mans obedience" said
Phoebe, IL strange. voice, which she could
not make playful
''Yes; his loyal obedience"
They moved forward in silence, save the
sound made by walking. Phoebe felt The
blood beat in every part Of her body. The
sheltering woods eemed warmer, having
spice of odorous bark andthe breath Of the
first spring flower in the air.
Il never have been on this. path BEFORE"
sald Gurlcy. Have you!''
mo, never,' breauhed Phoebe. oh
what am l saying! I have been through
these woods often"
'pd like it, no continued, "if we were
going straight on to Heaven knows where.
Some happy valley, may be. So far as my;
interest in the matter is concerned the rest
Of creation may go by the board. This IS,
an unusual ride, isn't it! How keen the
STARLIGHT is Two going down to EgVpt to