The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-07-25
A Brothers Keeper.
/ WONLES NoRK OF LOVE LAD DUTY.
NJ Macy EARTWELL cATEEEWooD,
Ap7zoR or sCRAeUE o DooA." "STEPEsR
GUTHRIE" "TES LONE MANS
CA7u," Aao OrEEs STORIES

-FOUR hours had confirmed to habit, Phoebe
sat in the school-house and waited for
Thorney AL the seats were empty, but
ridges Of dust around the bottom Of the
desks and clay tracks on the floor showed
where young, restless feet had been. A
sum in fractions remained upon the black
board The fire was dying in the gray and
elderly stove, which seemed to deny having
ever indalged in red-hot fits Of roaring
when wind and snow beat outside. a barky
odor came from the wood-box, and from it
also crept out mouse to smell at crumbs
dropped at noon. Perhaps Phebe's moving
a hand, perhaps the appalling dreariness OF
the school-house interior, terrified the
mouse, and it flashed back in gray streak.
Somebody's COW in the woods, reminded by
associations Of sad experience in her life,
uttered mellow, plsintiye lowing. Feet
shcf6ed and bumped upon the step; then
Thorney White brought them in and straight
70 the wood-box, where he stood digging
the mud OF by scraping his heels across the
box's edge, as if this were the object OF his
entrance. Phoebe came down the aisle and
took hold Of his arm. Thsunshuttered win
dows threw plenty Of light around them; It
was not yet FIVE o'clock.
Thorney gave pettish jerk and continued
digging with his heels. She stood patiently
aside Search as she might, she could never
End comfort or support in his face, yet she
could not bring herself to guide and control
him with more irmness than tenderness.
In the secret folds Of her heart she owned
ne was q modification and pain; but be-
ing her brother be ought to have an average
struck between them and be endowed with
half Of her abilities.
ssYou aren't cross tonight, are you,
Thorueya" said Phoebe.
Thorney responded that he didn't see no
sense 10 leaving his work to run at her beck
and cali.
81 didn't want you to leave your work.
would have waited till your work was
done''
Thorney srowled tha. his work was never
done. Re didn't have folks taking him to
parties; he couldn't drive around big and
proud and keep his brother a-hooping it
''Oh," said Phoebe, with an accent Of quiet
despair. Thames been with you, hasn't
hsa''
.sYes, he has,' growled Thorney. "And
he took my tin whistle from me-"
sThorney, he didn't get your money!"
she did, too. he made me bring out al
my wages. And he took my tin whistle, u
splzed Thorney, grieving for the instrument
with which he initiated birds in the woods.
Many an hour when Thorney should have
been chopping, he sat upon stake-and-
Eidered fence or the high limb Ct feled
tree, and piped after his fash.c as heartily
as Pan.
= seTasss don't know how to work it."
shifted Thorney, 'sbut he made me give it
up to him"
Phoebe looked az him, colspsing on his
owu muscles IN sbject helplessness; and at
herself.
uDo you think we shall ever get away
9com it, Thorneya'
iAGet away from. whata"
ssFron all Of it. Thane is so much stouter
and older than we are. And he knows how
to make US do things we hate to do. We
ousht to have some chance"
you've got chance enough" frowned
Tborpsy. st wish 7 could set around and
draw big wsges. And go to parties. Why
don't they invite me to their psrties!" de-
msnded Thorney, in sheepish sulenness,
shasing his head at the wood-box.
sYes, why don't theyf' said voice be-
cssSh one Of the windoB-ssshes, which be-
San to go up with many a sfudderiag re-
moastrance sad jar Of glass. The man who
hsS met Phoebe in the woods propped the
sash with stick s16 sea1ed on his arms so
~ to bring head and shoulders within the
room, opposite Thor7ey. "And me, too.
But my lady there has way Of putting her
self above yoa and me, Thorney. She
yTonld like to shake us altogether. Only
she can't''
lsNo." said Phoebe, all the repellant
forces in her body reused by the sight OF
him. ssWe never can be rid Of him, Thorney.
Look at his hair getting gray; and be has
robbed us Of more hopes than he has hairs
in his head. he has carried our names into
prtsops; he has tried to drag US into wick
edness. lam scarcely more than little
Girl. but I fesl old and lfe-Worn when Hook
st you, Thane White"
.sAnd he went and took my tim whistle" "
said Thoraey, sdding his climax.
sSee hsre,n said Thsae, his facial spasms
in full play. Before proceeding be took out
piece Of tobacco sna gorried it herceiy.
II dropped along to have an understanding
Last night you wouldn't give ms stake,
nv lady, bad as needed It."
$50 you robbed Thorney," said Phebs,
with scorn.
.DTook what was my own by rights" cor
rected Thane, giving his tobacco q ina.
wrench, after which he put it IN his pocket
"You treated me mean. But IN pass over
all that If you'll divide up after-while. You
slwsys were smart, and can see what you
are up to now. If you will, Pm mum; Il
Won won't amt takin' any such pains to
help you on"
4 81 know what you mean" said Phoebe,
ber face suddenly covered with pallor IS
.z-it, mask of strange features. "Bns
understand at once that an honorable man
can Offer nothing but plying kindness TO
your sister"
..lye got 9 strong purchase on you, and
Sou know it." said the convict, snlllng In a
Succession OF facial spssms; whatever you
intsnd TO do. Bsas you to get married.
ThorneF snd me needs Q rich brother-in-laW.
fvo, Won't get married I'll hsve to take
Thorney with me-"
@Oh. no, you'd asTer do that" said
phoehe. lowering her voice detiantly.
ooh. yes, would I'd do just that. My
hsir IS turnin'. oughs to have young
hand 10 training for my old age. You've
dragged him around st your apron strms
too long, anyhow. Now, see here, Inorpey,
Thane chewed rapidly at bis tobacco lefkea
his head as low as the window-sN snd in
ssantly reappearea with one cheek dlstend
"a: shere stands your sister snd her hae
notions about honor and honesty that she's
always preached at you. But has she doas
any thing for you:"
..She never took my tin whistle" NUT
tered Thorney.