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

cut low al the throat, and filed IN WIFI 1oi'
on fold Of whitest, tleeciest lace, and on he
breast giittcred q diamond locket, the ex
act counterpart Of that worn by Isabel.
She arose eagerly as Isabel entered
Oracle hiding shyly in the shadow OF he
dress, and took a step forward, her small
white hands extended.
Cousin Isabel, this is Mrs. Pembroke,
said Caroline, and Isabel stepped forwar
impulsivelv, and took tn" quaint, appealing
little figure in her strong young arms wit
loving caress, as she whispered fondly
my darling grandmother l am so happ
TO have found you At last" as the happy
tears rose 10 her eyes.
The old lady held her off at arms length
and looi:eG 1T her through i n.ist Of tears
''You arc more Darlington than Penn
broke" she said at last. broken!y, ''but
can see my Alicia's beautiful hair ard hel
lovely eyes
'.And hope, dear grandmamma, you
may find Alica's heart alSo,' SAID Isabel
patting the wri,.slcd little face lovingly
YES, yes. my child 5 own loving ways, y
murmured the old lady, more to herself than
to others.
'sLet me introduce you to Mr.. Falconer
the best husband in the world - resumed
Isabel, leading Mrs Pembroke TO her hus
band.
''Oh, It is we'll that ycu found my child
before did" said the old lady, with shake
of her small head; ''for if had found hcl
first should have been 10th to have given
her up even to the best husband in the
world" repeating Isabers words with al
arch smile.
ssI account myself the luckiest of mei
that was so fortunate, then, madam" h*
replied
81 fear this happy meeting would never
have been otherwise" said Isabel, "for tho
train of events which have led to 1t q!
seems to have been developed since ny
marriage" Her eyes wandered uneasily
around; there was another meeting which
she was looking forward to with a>ming!fc
feeling of tender impatience and dread
dread lest her fathers state should be worse
than she had anticipated.
Major Darlington read her heart intui
lively, and said, quietly: My brother is
not at home just at present, but will be in
l think, after dinner.''
The bell rang at the moment, and they
fled out to the large dining-room, Major
Darlington with Mrs. Pembroke upon his
arm, and the rest in their proper order
The old lady's bright eyes sought her long
lost cra1dchild S face continually through
the meal, and she seemed to be living il
the past as she listened to her voice, and
noticed with quick eyes every motion anc
gesture, many of which reminded her OF
her beloved daughter. eyes, like, very
like Alicia" she murmured, as they re
turned tc :ae drawing-room.
Isabel and her husband were in the libra
ry and Major Darlington was showing his
books, subject upon which he was enthu
siastic, when sound of iootstep at the
door caused them 10 look up. 1t was
slow, uncertain step, andlt paused upon the
threshold.
Isabel was standing by a window in the
full light, and the eyes CT the person stand
ing there were fixed mildly upon her. Il
was an old man, though there were few
wrinkles in his pale face, but his hair was
snowy white, and his blue eyes had i dim
far-away look, which told at glance tha,
there were lost faculties vailed behind thell
vacantly mild glances.
"Chester," said Major Darlington, lay
Ing down the book of which he had been
talking, and going at once to his brother,s
side; Isabel advanced, her face pale and heI
hands nervously clasped before her. ~ OF
know told you your daughter was coming
today. She is here, and longs to know and
love YOU"
Dear father" said Isabel, coming close
to him and looking up at him with be-
seeching glance. II am so glad to have
found YOU
s.My dau ghter?" he said, slowly, and with
a bewildered look. "How should I Ihave
daughter without wife? think there is 6
mistake
mo, no, there is no mistake" she cried
eagerly: s.dear father, am your daughte,
and Alicia's; don't you remember Alicia
your wife, and can not YOU love me for hel
sake?"
"Alicia?n He put his hand to his head in 6
dazed way. 81 90 not remember Alicia, ant
yet the name has homelike sound; did yol
say that you were AHcia?''
"No, father, I am Isabel, and Alicia:
daughter and yours. # you can not remem
Der her, won't you love me for my owl
sake?"
Why, yes he answered, slowly, taking
the hand which she extended TO him, anG
looking in her eyes with a troubled expires
sion. at is ali very strange" he said a
last; "you seem like come one have known
but can not tell WHO" and he passed hi:
hand over his forehead again, as ii to brush
away the vail Of forgetfulness which wa:
hiding the past from him.
"Better drop the past and win him in the
present." suggested the Major in low
voice.
''Yes, the past" feebly echoed Chester
Darlington; "they talk of a past, but I d(
not know what it is, and so we will drol
that and live to-day alone. You say you are
my daughter and ne looked again in hel
eyes with that strange, troubled look. "Who
then, is this?" and he looked lnquiringly a
Mr.. Falconer
This is nv husband, father" and Mr.
Falconcr advanced and took the soft white
hand in his. evil you accept a son also
father2" he said, with his frank, manly
smile.
This look had no power to move the
clouGed mind to any effort of remembrance
and he took the offered hand in the matter
of-fact way in which he greeted a.
strangers.
"a daughter and son, both in one hour,
he said, shaking his head in perplexity
ats a strange world, a uery strange
world"
Isabel turned away to hide her tears; i
was bitter disappointment; although she
had told herself SO many times how it mus
inevitably be, yet she had, IN spite of all
cherished hope that it might be better
than she feared.
''Then who is this?;' he said, gently, as
Oracle came springing in to her father:
side; her eyes agIow with interest in ar
aviary which Tom, little colored boy, who
had been detailed to entertain her, had beer
showing her. She stood by his side in blush
ing confusion, as the strangers eyes were
bent upon her in min gled surprise and in
Quiry.
This is my little daughter" said Mr.. Fal
coner, drawing herto him tenderly. "Wi!
ryi,,