The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1890-03-19

dancers.
In the meantime. Florence growing
fatlgued, CT GiSinclined to dance lon.
ger with Dvnecourt. stops abruptly
near the door Of 4 conservatory, aud,
!; leaning against the framework. gaZeS
With liStiesS interest at the busy scene
around.
You are tired viii you rest for
awhile:" asks Arthur politely; and, as
she bends her head IN cold consent, he
leads her to 4 cushioned seat that is
placed almost opposite to the doorway,
and from which the Ballroom and
what IS passing within 1t ;;;e distinctly
visible.
Sinking down amongst the blues.
cushions Of the seat he has pointed out
to her. Florence ,e,!S softly, and lets
her thoughts rlul. A"lf sadly. half glad
II. upon her late interview with Sir
| Adrian. Vt least. j; nc has guessed
her secret. she kncwS Row that he does
not despise her There is no trace Of
contempt III the @entlenesS. the tender
ness OF his manner. And l:oE kindly
| he las told her o: ie intended change
in his life. The. !;:t!iS would lie far
asunder for the future" he had said,
or something tantamount to that He
| SpoAC 4Io OOtiUG VI ItlN 1ItsI1 4tt So
Then she begins to speculate dreami-
ly upon the sort of woman who would
be happy enough to Ge his wife. She is
still idly ruminatins on this point
when her companion 5 voice brings her
back to the present. She had so far
| forgotten his existence III her day
dreaming that his words come to her
like a whisper from some other world,
| and occasion her All actual shock.
Your thou2htfulneSs renders me
| sad" lie is saying lmpreSSlvely. 1t
| carries you to regions where | can not
| follow YOU
To this she makes no reply. regard
| ing him only with a calm questioning
glance that might well have daunted a
| better man. 1t only nerves him how
ever to even boldcr words.
The journey your thoughts have
taken-haS it been apleasant one?:' he
| asks, smiling.
Il have come here for rest. not for
conversation There is undisguised
| dislike in her tones. Still he is un-
touched by her seorn. He even grows
more defiant as though determined to
| let her see that even her avO"c, iatred
can not subdUe him.
IF you only knew he goes Oh, With
| slow meaning. regarding her as he
! speaks with critical admiration, how
Surprisingly beautiful YOU look to-
| night. You would perhaps understand
| il q degEec the power you possess over
| your feliGW-cic;;tureS. III that attitude,
| with that slight touch OF scorn upon
! your lips. Nc.; seem a meet partner Tor
Il monarch.
She laughs Il low contemptuous
,,>,1-r.. ~. I,1DnI I,,,,I,
hotly IN his veins.
And vet YOU have the boldness to
offer yourself as an aspirant to my
! favor" She says. IN truth, sir, you
| value yourself highly
Love will find the way" he quotes
quickly, though plainly disconnected by
her merriment. And in time trust
shall have my reward"
In time, | trust you will" she re-
turns. III Il tone impossible to miscon-
Strue.
1t this point he deems it wise to
change the subject: and, as he haltS
rather lamely i'll his convers alton. at a
loss to find some topic that may in
terest her or advance his cause, Sir Ad-
rian and Dora pass by the door Of the
conservatory.
Sir Adrian is smiling Gayly at some
! little speech OF Dora's, and Dora is
looking up at him With L bright express
sion III her blue eyes that tets Of the
happiness che ieeis.
"Ah, can not help thinking Adrian
is doing very wisely" observes Arthur.
DynecNurt. some evil geniuS at his ell
bow urging him 10 lie.
"Doing-wh;iI:" asks his companion,
reused suddenly into full life and in
tereSt.
You pretend ignorance. no doubt =
smiling Bat one can see. Adrian s
marriage "iti Mrs. Talbot has been
talked ;HH:t for some time amongst
his intiHla.;.$.
\ clasp axe ice seems to seize upon
Miss De.:nline'S heart as these words
drop from his lips. She restrains her
emotion brayc!v. but his y:lX-eye reads
her through and through.
They seen to be mere together to-
night than is even usual With them"
goes On Arthur blandly. Before you
honored the room with your presence,
he had danced twice with her, and now
again. 1t is very marked, his attention
tonight"
AS matter of fact .ldrian had not
danced with Mrs. Talbot all the eyen-
ing until now. but Florence: not hay
ing been present at the opening OF the
ball, is not III Il position TO re1ute InlS,
as he well knows.
IF there is anything in her friend
ship with Sir Adrian, | feel sure Dora
would have told me Of it." she says
slowly. and with ditlic'-ity.
And she hasn't" asks Arthur With
49,. ,>.,,.l OVID i,,r ,rra,f,l1it his
manner as goes far to convince her
that there is some truth in his state
ment. We'll. Well" he adds. "one can
not blame her. She would doubtless be
| sure Of his affection before speaking
even to her dearest friend.
Florence Winces. and sinks back up
on the seat Is though unable to sus-
tain. an upright position any longer.
Every word OF his IS as gall and worm
! wood to her. each sentence {, reminder
"a reDroavh. Only the other day this
man now beside her had accused her
; of making snre of Sir Adrian,s affec-
! ton before &:Ic had any right so to 40.
/ Her proud spirit Shrinks beneath the
crne} ta;ni i,e ii,!iS 1T !i2r.
! "y on lU0h uI:GSua!l% zone Up, ne
i goes on. in Il tone Of assumed cenmlS-
| Seration. "Tnis evening has been too
much fer you. Acting a part at any
/ time is extremely trying and labor
! ious."
She shrinks still further from him.
Acting {. part. IS not al her HE be-
| coming one dreary drama. III which Sne
acts part from morning until night?
! Is there TO be no rest for her? On. to
/ escape from this man at any price! She
| rises to her feet.
/: Our dance is almost at an end" She
!; saws; and the heat is terrible. | can
T; remain here no longer
you ~ ill.," going to iier side. lie
would have supported her, bat by q
gesture she reHeis him.
! If am. it is you WHO lave made me