The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-08-26

| languid and pale, was in good spirits, and
prepared to be pleased with al he saw.
A roomy travelling carriage was waiting
for them, and the burly, colored coachman
tocsed curiously, yet respectfully, at Isabel
as she came forward, for the news haG
spread among the older colored people thai
missy Alicia's' long-lost daughter was
coming, and this faithful fellow had been
on the place ever since be was born, before
the war as slave, since as hired serv
art.
A ride Of few miles through lovely
scenery brought them to the natural park
OF Gins, from which the place was named
Elm Park, the carriage winding through
them, past a miniature lake. and bank after
bank Of roses and other flowers, which
! though not in bloom, were yet green and
suggestive of their summer beauties. The
house was fine specimen Of a Southern
home, wide verandas on all sides, support
ed by heavy pillars, around which tWined
wiGe-spre aiding branches of the lovely Bal
timore Belle, Marechal Mel rose and clus.
tering clematis.
"My dear girl, welcome, thrice welcome
to our home," said Mrs. Darlington, tall,
stately lady, who came out upon the veran-
da to meet them, taking her in warm
embrace
"And here is Caroline, waiting to well
| come her cousin,' said the Major, as tall,
graceful girl, and the image of her mother,
came to the door of the hall, while Mrs.
| Darlington gracefully welcomed Mr.. Fal-
coner and Oracle. Caroline grasped 1sa-
| bells hand with cousiuly warmth, and then
introduced her to Adelaide, her sister, also
tall and graceful, but with more of the Car
rington style Of features.
Isabel could scarcely control her emotions
as she entered the house, though she could
not have analyzed her feelings, but Mrs.
| Carrington coming in was quick TO observe
and assign a reason for her agitation, and
kindly led her to small sitting room of
the hall, and, summoning a portly colored
woman, she gave directions that the guests
should be taken at once to tho rooms they
were to occupy.
"Dinner Will be served in about an hour,
if that will give you time to rest" said the
Major, as they were ascending the stairs.
"Plcnty Of time,' replied Mr.. Falconer.
"a bath and five minutes nap will render
me, at least, capable of doing full justice to
your Eospi;ality.'
MY darlingn' said Mr.. Falcc.or, tender
", as Dinah, after stirring the fire IN the
crate, which was, at this season Of the
wear, necessary even in the sunny South,
and showing Isabel where to find clothes
press and bath rooms, at last disappeared.
He saw that she was on the verge OF
tears, and drew her 10 his arms. Il am so
strangely happy she said, as she leaned
her head upon his sheltering breast and
burst into tears of excitement.
"It is wonderful experience for you,"
he said, smoothing her hair gently, as he
removed her hat, 'and you have need Of all
your fortitude to take you through 1t With
out over-taxing your nerves." She was
trembling even now like leaf
| CHOW selfish I am,n she said, after she
had become more calm. Il forgot in my
own thoughts how weak you are still, for
he was trembling, too. in his sympathy for
her. "Forgive me. DEAR" and she in her
turn became the comforter, and forced him
to lie down upon an easy couch, while she
opened trunks, and made preparations for
the toilet.
They were large, airy rooms which had
been given them, the windows opening out
upon delightful prospect, with distant
Richmond just appearing in view.
"Oh, how funny" said Oracle, who had
been exploring the bedrooms and looking
from the windows. There's just ever so
many little bits of houses out this way;
does Major Darlington have tenement
houses to rcnt!'
eyes, my dear" replied her father,
smiling at her natural mistake; "but the
tenants are his own working people-these
colored people you saw about the place
l,oSr thaCa
houses"
Meanwhile discussion was going on be-
low. "She's pure Darlington, isn't she"
said Caroline, as she languidly dropped into
chair.
"The very image Of Chester" said Mrs.
| Darlington.
"Her eyes and hair will remind you Of
Alicia when you see her again. remarked
the Major. "By the way, where Is Ches-
| ter!"
"He is having one of his gloomy fits to-
day." answered his wife, "and though
told him his daughter was coming, 1t seemed
| 10 make no impression upon his mind, ana
he has wandered off,"
"He isn't alone?" said the Major, little
anxiously.
"Oh, no. I sent Pompey after him as
usual, and he will take care of him."
Il wonder Mrs. Pembroke is not here"
said Adelaide, looking from the window.
az fear meeting so many Of US at once Is
going to be very exciting for Cousin Isabel.
noticed her hand trembled in mine when
I took it."
"She is not looking as well as when l saw
her." said Major Darlington. "Her hus-
| bands sickness has, doubtless, been a
strain upon her nerves.
Mamma, oughtn't 1cs to send Lzette
and Cato to help them dressa"
az hardly know what they have been ac-
customed to-" replied Mrs. Darlington.
People live so differently in the North and
South
81 think, my dear,'' laughed the Major,
"that my niece would consider dressing
maid nuisance"
"Well, am sure if were obliged to
comb my own hair, should soon decide to
wear it cronped close" said Adelaide,
laughingly, giving her fine head, adorned
with heavy braids, toss.
"Still, if you had always been accus-
toned to being your own hair-dresser," re-
marked Caroline.
"Habits are inexorable things" said
Mrs. Darlington, "and, for the present, l
will send Lizette to inquire if Mrs. Fal-
coner would like her assistance in dress
ing.n
A neat colored girl made her appearance
in answer to the bell, and Mrs. Darlington
gave her her directions.
Pears like dem Northern ladies amt
fust quality no how,n was Lizettes dis
satisfied comment as she descended the
stairs, after Isabel had kindly declined her
services at her toilet. She had never been
accustomed to such assistance, and looked
| upon it as more of a hindrance than help,
except in exceptional cases. But, den, I
specs it all in de brungin' up" she con-
| cluded, philosophically.
A carriage was at the door as Lizette
reached the hall, and Major Darlington was
handing out an old lady with tender re-
spect. 1t was Mrs. Pembroke and she said
eagerly as she took his offered arm: HAS
| she Gomez"
CHAPTER XI