The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1890-03-05


Captain Ringwood. a gallant young
officer. and one of the "cUrled darlings"
Of society.
But who is to play NARROW: Who is
to be the happy man. so bleSsed-even
though in these fictitious circumstan-
ces-as to be allowed to make love to
the reigning beauty of the past season?
Nearly every man in the house has
thrown out hint as to his fitness for
the part, but as yet no arrangement
has been arrived at.
Sir Adrian Of course is the one to-
ward whom all eyes-and some very
jealous ones-are directed. But his
duties as host compel him, sorely
against lis will. to draw back little
from the roffered honor, and to con-
suit the wishes OF his guests rather
than his own. Miss Delmaine herself
has laughingly declined to make any
choice Of & stage lover, so that, up to
the present moment, matters are still
in such state of confusion and uncer-
tainty that they have been unable to
name any date for the production Of
their play.
It is four O'Clock, and they are all
pding or sitting in the library, in
- Nsual in discussing the Difficult
s%sr sra ali talking together, and,
tement that prevails, no one
lor open, or the footman'S
!. lction of a gentleman, who
s ieisurely up to where Sir
is standing, leaning over
IL Names chair.
H. / man of about thirty-fve,
with X face and dark eyes, and,
withal, a slight resemblance to Sir
Adrian.
"Ah. Arthur, it is you!" says Sir Ad-
rian, in surprised tone that has GER
tainly no cordiality in it, but, just as
certainly, the tone is not repellent.
Yes" replies the stranger, with a
languid smile, and without confusion.
yesterday I suddenly recollected the
general invitation you gave me a
month ago to come to you at any time
that suited me best. This time suits
me. and so have come"
He still smiles as he says this, and
looks expectantly at Sir Adrian, who,
as in duty bound, instantly tells him
he is very glad to see him, and that he
is a good fellow to have come without
waiting for more formal repetition of
his invitation. Then he takes him over
10 old Lady FitZAlmont. the mother Of
Lady Gertrude Fining, and introduces
him to her as my cousin Mr.. Dyne-
court"
The same ceremony is gone through
with some of the others, but, when he
brings him to Mrs. Talbot, that pretty
widow interrupts his mode of lntroduc-
ton.
"Mr. Dynecourt and I are old
friends" she says: giving her hand to
the newcomer. Then, turning to her
cousin, she adds, Florence, is it not a
fatality our meeting him SO oftenn
@Haye we met so often?" asks Flor
encs quietly, but with a touch Of hau-
te,n and dislike in her tone. Then she
too gives a cold little hand to Mr.. Dyne-
court, who fingers over it until she dis
dainfuIly draws it away, after which
he turns from her abruptly and devoteS
himself to Dora Talbot.
The widow is glad Of his attentions.
He is handsome and well-bred, and for
the last half hour she has been feeling
slightly bored; so eager has been the
discussion about the NARROW matter,
that she has been little sought after by
the opposite sex. And now, once again,
the subject is being examined in all its
bearings, and the discussion wakes fast
and furious.
What is it all about?" asks Arthur
Dynecourt presently, glancing al. the
animated group in the middle OF the
room. And Sir Adrian, hearing his
question explains it to him.
aAh jD6ep6Io ha S9vS And then
after a scarcely perceptible pause
sWho is to be Kate Hardcastle?
Miss Delmaine," answered Sir Ad.
rian, who is still leaning over that
young lady;s chair.
"In what does the difficulty consist?7
inquiries Arthur Dynecourt, with appar'
emf Indifference.
*Well," replies Sir Adrian, laughing;
sI believe mere fear holds us. back.
Miss Delmaine, as We al know, is q
finished actress, and We dread spelling
her performance by faults on our, side.
None OF us have attempted the charac
ter before; this is why we hesitate"
"a very sensible hesitation, think,
SAYS his cousin coolly. you should
thank me then for coming to your re
lief this morning; I have played ths
part several times, and shall be delight
| ed to undertake it again, and help yol
out Of your difficulty"
At this Miss Delmaine fuShes angrl
", and opens her lips as if she Woult
say something, but, after a seconds re
fection, restrains herself. She sink
| back into her chair with proud Ian
| guor, and closes her mouth resolately
Sir Adrian IS confounded. All alon!
he had secretly hoped that, in the end
this part would fall to his lot; but nov
what is to be done? How can he re
fuse to let his cousin take his place
especially as he has declared himsel
familiar with the part.
Arthur, observing his cousins hesita
ton. laughs aloud. His IS not a pleas
ant laugh, but has rather a snecr1n!
ring in it, and at the present momen
it jars upon the ears OF the listeners.
sIfIhave been indiscreet,' he say:
with a slight glance at Florence
proud face. pray pardon me. l onl
meant to render you little assistance
| thought l understood from you tha
YOU were in dilemma. DO not DIVE
upon my offer another moment. l al
afraid I have made myself someWha
ofliciouS-unintentlo beheNe me
| MY dear fellow, not at all" declare
Sir Adrian hastily, shocked at his oW
apparent want of courtesy. L assu1
you, you mistake. 1t is all so much
the contrary, that l gracefully acceI
your offer, and beg you will be Ma
low"
"But really begings Arthur Dyn'
court.
Not word" interrupts Sir Adrian
and indeed by this time Arthur Dyn'
court has brought his cousin to belley
he is about to confer upon him gre;
favor. Look here, young fellows" ;
Adrian goes on, walking toward II
other men. VINO are still arguing an
disputing over the vexed question
I've settled it all for you. Here IS m
cousin, he will take the difficulty o
L al