The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-10-07
CHAPTER Y.
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER

With their dearly secured "accommo-
dation" John Green's family managed
to get through the winter without suf-
fering anything beyond severe priva-
tions. Their clothing and fare was, Of
course, common and limited, but that
was nothing so long as it kept them
from starving and freezing.
1t was long, dreary winter, especial
ly to Louise, off on the prairie, with no
friends or companions, and no books
or papers, and with nothing to do but
to drag idly through the days. The
nearest neigh Dor lived two miles away,
and, that being Markham's, they might
as well have been forty miles away for
all the good they were to Green's, for
since that night when Markham talked
SO abusively to Louise there had been
no intercourse between the two fam
lies.
Louise grew pensive and melancholy,
and it was plain that she longed for a
different life. though she never uttered
a complaining word. Once shorty
after Christmas she and her mother
were alone in the cabin, and after they
had sat long time silent Louise sud-
denly said:
Mother, I wish could manage some
| way to 60 on with my education"
$50 do I, Louise" Mary answered;
"but I can't think Of any way that it
can be managed II we had the books
I could help you with your studies, but
we haven't the money to buy books"
~ know that, mother, but I was
| thinking that might borrow some"
81 don't know who you could borrow
them from, Louise. Idon't suppose any
| one about here has them"
II know who has them," Louise re-
piled, "but I don't know whether you
would want me to get them Of him.
Paul has lots Of books that he brought
from school with him, and he has often
! proposed to let me have them"
"Paul Markham" Mary asked.
"Yes," said Louise; ''he has the books
I need, and he has begged me to take
them"
Louise" Mary said after awhile,
"you know how old Markham talked to
you that night you went to the store,
and you know we have had nothing to
do with them since, and you know that
we can't accept any favors from Paul. I"
Louise arose and going to the win
! dow stood for minute or so looking
out into the snow-covered prairie.
| Unconsciously she let sigh escape her,
and, though it was soft and low, the
quick ears Of her mother caught it.
Louise" Mary called, don't fret
about the books, for we shall try to get
them soon."
ct is not the books. mother" Louise
replied as she came and put her arms
about her mothers neck and laid her
face on her bosom. 81 can wait for
| them"
! "Then what makes you sad, my
child?" and Mary stroked her daughters
hair and tried to lift the bowed head.
What is it you sigh for?"
lin afraid you and pa do not like
| Paul" and Louise buried her face
deeper on her mothers breast. "ie is
so good and generous and is all the
friend have in the wrrld aside from
! gou two, and I'm afraiG you do not like
aim."
"Why, I'm sure I have nothing
against him. child Iie is o quiet, hon
est, Industrious you! man, and II 1t
wasn't that he is Markham I couldn't
say a word against l.im."
"He is a Markham. mother, but he is
not like his father. He is as generous
and kind as be can be, and do wish
you and pa would be friendly with him"
Mary began to have a suspicion OF