The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-09-02
.1,es tae fortunes Of Wa: aad ,i.s.,e taaa


free.
This picture Of Alicia was taken just
after her MARRIAGE" said Mrs. Pembroke.
1t was a beautiful oil picture of the fair
young mother, taken in her white wedding
dress, the misty folds of the bridal vail fall
ing about her with lovely effect.
"How sweet, how fair" said Isabel, look
ing at it with tenderness. How she loved
the memory Of this beautiful mother, whose
life had ended so soon.
'.The beauty of her face was only equalled
by the loveliness of her character" replied
Mrs. Pembroke; none could know her
without loving her; but now, my dear, l
must know all about yourself; to be sure
Major Darlington has given me an outline
of Your history, but l want TO know Your
inner life. your heart, dear child
They were sitting in q lovely little bou-
do!r, ore which Alicia had loved in her girl
hood; Mrs Pembroke sat in a wide-armcd
rocker, and Isabel, on low, wide foot-stoo!
at her feet, leaned against her in contiden-
tial fashion as she told her of her early
trials, as a child, in her aunt's homo, at
Nine Arnot's, and of her sudden marriage,
and the visit to the lonely grave of Alicia,
who looked down smilingly upon them in
her bridal array.
'.And these dear hands have been pricked
with needles, and forced to menial labors.
All. the sad shame Of it," said the old lady,
taking Isabcrs hands and caressing them
fondly.
''But, indeed, grandmamma, the needles
did not prick my hands nearly so bad as the
unkind tongues did my heart" said Isabel.
"But you have no unkind tongues in your
home now" and the old lady looked at her
inQUiringiy. This husband OF yours, has
he 20 faults1'
''If he has he is very successful IN hiding
them," replied Isabel; ''he is all kindness
and tenderness toward me-" and then she
told OF LottIe and her gentle, dove-like char
acter.
land she was a shop-girl, too; you did
well to remember her. am glad you can
not forget your friends" and the soft little
hands caressed again the bowed head. ,
81 could not be content to have these
riches without trying to do good with them
to make others happy as we'll as myself
replied Isabel, earnestly. =.
Quite right. DEAR" and the small head
nodded approvingly; 'but can not help
feeling that this woman whom YOU have
called aunt has been much to blame, that
she did not advertise or search for US in
some way"
"But, dear grandmamma, remember, she
was so crushed, so sad, and believing as she
did that my father had been killed, she had
so little to direct her in her search; she
was bitterly poor, too and could scarcely
have paid for an advertisement" Isabel pro
tested, eagerly, for she could not bear to
have her second mother blamed.
THAT is right, child, defend those who
have been kind to you," and the kind hand
patted her shoulder.
land now, grandmamma, tell me of your
self,'' said Isabel; 81 long TO know Of your
life, Also"
"After Alicia left US we were very lonely,
but she was so near wc could visit her
very often, and we were so happy in seeing
her happiness that we could not regret her
marriage"
You mean my Grandfather Pembroke
and yourselfl''
Eyes. dear; how wish you could have
known him; one Of the noolest OF men,"
replied Mrs. Pembroke, with sigh. ut
was not long, however, before she began to
show signs Of failing health, and her ply
sicians advised the trip to the North which
resulted 50 disastrously. It seemed as II
my heart would break when 7 saw her go
away-so frail, yet 50 hopeful-but as faith
full Chloe, who had nursed her from an infant,
went with her, knew she would not suffer
any lack Of care, and tired to think it was
for the best, but I have regretted so terri
bly, since that since she must die she could
not have stayed and died in her mothers 8
arms"
''It is 50 natural for the sick to grasp at
every straw of possible relief" said Isabel.
s'Yes, and Chester would have taken her
to the ends Of the earth on the shadow Of a
hope, he was so nearly frantic when he
learned that her disease was dangerous
one; then the war broke out in all its
strength, and had one letter saying that
they had come to the town where she died,
and then that you were born and after that,
silence, terrible silence, until it seemed as
if ! should die with suspense and dread. !
was all alone with the exception OF the
servants, for your grandfather had joined
the army at the first alarm OF real war. The
next news 7 heard was when Major Caring
ton came home on brief 1urlough, and
told me he haI seen Chester for few
moments, and that my darling was dead,
and that you, her babe, and Chloe were left
behind IN Northern town, the name Of
which he had forgotten, in the charge Of a
woman whose name had entirely escaped
him. Oh, it was dreadful, dear, and you
can not know how mourned and grievcd
for you both Then Chester was wounded,
and your grandfather was sent home a
corpse, though, thank Heaven! not mutt
lated one, and my cup of sorrow was full. "
ssPoor, poor little grandnamma!' said
Isabel, caressing the white hands.
After the war was over we had all we
could do to accustom ourselves to the new