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

for my excellent nursing there's 40 know
ing what would have happened to you.
Aunt Isabel and that big-eye6 doctor were
glowering over you like couple OF lunatlcs
when l came to the rescue"
He was too weak to repl7- to her lively
sallies, but he pressed his wife's hand with
4 feeble energy.
1t seemed as il she could not be demon
strayive enough after the long period Of
cold indecision through which she had
passed; she knew now that she had loved
him for months when she had imagined
herself grateful only. and she sighed as
she thought how his kind and noble heart
must have been wounded by her coldness,
and she strove to make amends by showing
aim every phase Of tenderness her full
heart could devise.
81 think must 60 home how" said Lii
Ian, playfully, the next day. II have res
cued one forlorn man from a premature
fate, and shall have another to drag from
the brink of despair If do not get back to
Ralph. Mamma says he wanders to and
fro like the disconsolate ghost OF Melan-
choly."
81 little thought that your long-talked-of
visit was to be such doieful affair as this
said Isabel. ''But, indeed, Lillian, you do
not know how much you have helped me-"
81 assure you I take full credit to myself
for all have done" she answered, ,willfully.
II do believe Uncle Harvey got up this lit
tie diversion just for the purpose Of testing
the affection OF his friends"
"Then deserved to be disappointed,
didn't II" he said, weakly. He enjoyed her
bright raillery, as 1t showed him that he
was once more among flesh and blood peo.
pie instead Of the dim and ghostly forms
among which he had moved during the
weeks when his diseased fancy had distort-
ed every thing about iminto unreal shapes.
Isabel was not disappointed in Lillian
the bright, sweet girl was just the gener-
Gus, whole-souled little woman she had i'm
agined her to be, and warm affection had
sprung up between them.
"You have forgiven me, then, for marry
ing YOUR unclea" Isabel said, mischievously,
as they were waiting in the drawing-room
for the carriage which was to take Lillian
away.
Yes she replied, promptly, ''ard have
given you my blessing, fGuratively speak
irg." Then more thoughtfuliy: Your case
is only another demonstration OF the fact
which mamma and have argued over ever
since went in pinafores, that a persons
position in life does not necessarily deter
mine all his qualities Of head and heart"
"Well, what do you think of her?" said
Mrs. Stanford, after Liliians return, and
when other inquiries had been answered.
81 think Uncle Harvey might have hunt
49, with fn1 c
perfectly suited to him as Aunt Isabel" re-
Piled Lillian, warmly.
ssEven if she was a plebeian shop-girl," !"
said Mr.. Stanford, with smile.
I'm afraid the blue blood Of the Caring
tons would boil if they should hear you
speak Of their kinswoman under that title"
and Lillian laughed. sAunt Isabel told me
that Major Darlington was terribly shocked
when she told him how she had been forced
to earn living"
harvey Falconer's return to health was as
rapid as could be expected, considering his
extreme weakness, and he was as yet but
the pallid ghost of himself as he sat up n
his easy chair, or laid upon the puffy cush.
io1ed lounge in the home room.
It was now long past Christmas and they
had received an urgent invitation from
Major Darlington to spend the remainder
Of the winter at Elm Park, and had decid-
ed to go as soon as the invalid was strong
enough to travel. DR.. Conroy had advised
the change Of climate, and Mr.. Falconer,
with his blood debilitated and chilled by
sickness, looked forward to it gratefully.
DR.. Conroy had been like brother in this
time of trouble, and the Falconers, who had
respected and admired him before, were
now bound to him by the ties Of affection as
well:
He who comes to US in our hour OF
trouble not only makes himself our friend,
but commands affection also, and the
earnest, faithful physician not only heals
the sickness by the aid Of his skillful knowl-
edge, but brings his sympathy, his soothing
word and kindly touch, winning place for
himself iu our hearts which no other cen
fill.
DR.. Conroy was one of these who brought
his heart with him to the sick chamber.
Many mother could testify that be had
ministered to her sick babe as tenderly as
# it had been his own.
Itwas this element Of tenderness in his
nature which had endeared him to Lottie
Ford, and with him affection for
the fair, sweet girl, so gentle and un-
complaining in her suffering, had sprung
up spontaneously, and he had made her but
few visits before he became conscious that
she was the one woman of all the world
whom be wished to call his wife, and as he
was straightforward man, be had lost no
time in showing her his heart.
She was steadily improving under his
care, and could now walk with one crutch
with but little pain, and there was every
reason to hope that her recovery was to be
complete, and she was preparing for the
visit at home with great delight.
s'Lottie, DEAR" said Isabel as they sat in
her cheerful room, 'you will spend the time
with US before your marriage, will you not!
We shall return in February, and shall
hope to see you soon after we come home"
eyes" replied Lottie; 'Malcolm wishes
me to remain under treatment for some
time yet. he is thinking he can get father