The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-12-09

suggesting d walk 70 Louise, ahd si.v
feelins, somewhat in dlty bound &C
cepted his proposal. Together they
walked out across the prairie, Pearson
doing the most OF the talking, and for
some time confning himself to trivial
matters. But at last, when they came
to the bank of the creek, they sat down,
and Pearson proceeded to speak OF
something Of more Importance.
Louise" he said, 81 have brought
you out here to-day to speak to you on
a subject that lies near my heart, and
which l cannot bury, though I've tried
often You know what it is?"
I'm afraid do said she.
'sAfraid?" he repeated. "Then you
have not changed your mind?"
''No, no, and never can"
Louise" said Pearson quickly, 'tyou
can change your mind, and you must. I
love YOU better than any other man ever
did or ever will. III do anything to win
you. have busted myself to help your
parents in every way that found pos
sible, and did it all for your sake. I'd
do anything for your sake, and I've
sworn that you shall be mine"
''Oh, don't talk so, please " pleaded
Louise. 81 know how good you have
been to those love, and it hurts me to
deny any favor you ask at my hands.
Don't compel me to say what I said
once before, and what hope never to
have to say again. Please say no more
about it,
But I will say more about it, Louise.
said just now had sworn to have you
for nv own, and I mean to do it. If l
can't win you one way, perhaps l can
another. Look here, you must consent
to my wish to save your father. Do you
understand"
ITO save my father" Louise repeat
ed, looking up inquiringly while great
fear smote her heart. What do you
mean by that?''
''Do you know thathe is in my power,
practically? Do you know that only /
stand between him and state prison?"
'No, no." Louise gasped, turning
ashy white while her heart stopped its
beating. ''I do not understand. Tell
me, oh, tell me what you mean. What
has he done?"
''He has committed a penitentiary
offense. He has sold mortgsSed prop
erty, and nothing but stands between
him and the laws penalty. It l step
aside then the law takes its course and
your father must serve term in state
prison-a convict among convicts. You
know what such result would be to
him and what it would be to your
mother"
''oh, God! oh, God4" the girl walled,
scan such thing be? Can my poor
dear father be in danger Of such g
fate?"
'lt is too true, Louise, Pearson went
on. 81 have told you truly OF his dan
ger. But you can, and you must serve
him. Become my wife and he shall
never be disturbed. I win continue tc
protect him, and no man shall raise
hand against him. Come. say you will,
Louise You shall never regret it.
will raise you from this life OF suffer
ing and want and make you lady.
You shall have everything your heart
can desire. Say yes"
''Of. no, no, o thousand times no,
the girl cried. "You do not know what
you ;.sk OF me. You do not know how
my soul reyo!ts at the thought. l thank
you over and over for al you have done
for US, and would be willing TO do al
most anything for you in return, but
you ask too much. lcannot love you
and cannot marry you"
Not to save your fathers name and
honor and your mothers life?" Pearson
asked. "Remcmbcr how much you
have at stake, Louise"
Cant they be saved without that?'
without your giving yourself to me?
No. That is the only terms upon which
your father can be kept from the laws
grasp"
Surely, surely, Mr.. Pearson, you
will not require such sacrifice on
my part. You know why father did
that, and you or any other man would
L,-o 6ooa tho Same YOu know all this,