The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-09-02

pey told his story, his voice choked with
emotion.
Mrs. Montford came at once TO the rescue
with her prave nearL ana strong nands,
and while Isabel gave way to her uncon-
trollable grief, she quickly made 4 bed ready
for the reception of the poor, limp form:
which now appeared IN sight, borne on q
stretcher by strong hands.
'Be brave, my darling" whispered Mr..
Falconcr, as he took his sorrowinS wife ii
his arms brief moment, after the father
had been laid on his bed and the men had
departed: while there is life there IS hope,
and every thing which human skill can do
shall be done for hinl."
There was discoiored bruise on his
skull, near the spot where the first injury
had been received, and this was carefully
shavcn and treated in the best possible
manner by the surgeon, who, with DR.. Con-
roy, had accompanied the sad procession.
He lay unconscious still with futtering
breath, and i faint, irregular beating OF the
heart only to tell that he was yet alive.
kilograms were at once sent to Major
Darlington and Mrs. Pembroke, and then
the family, with Dr.. Conroy, settled down
ments.
1t was nearly midnight when he aroused
from his desthly stupor; DR.. Conroy had
laid down upon q couch in the room, and Isa-
bel and Mr.. Falconer sat by the bedside.
He had urged her to retire with the rest
of the family, but she could not; she had
felt intutively that the injury was fatal, and
she could not lose the precious moments Of
the life 50 dear to her and which she be-
lieved to be so short.
She was pale, but more composed, and she
rose and leaned eagerly over him as she
observed futtering movement in one OF
the white hands which lay upon the counter
pane; moment more and the Quiver ran
over his features, and then the mild blue
eyes opened slowly. There was strange
look in them; the far-away expression was
gone, and replaced by q new intelligence.
"Alicia," he murmured, in low, tremu-
lous voice, where am 12' and his eyes slow
" wandered, taking in the unfamiliar
apartment.
s.In my house, father" and she bent over
him tenderly; wild, sweet hope had seized
her, that he was yet going to recognize and
love her
You call me father" he said, slowly and
fecbly. Il had but one child, and shc
was little babe"
"And I am she," the warm tears falling
on his face. "Your baby and Alicias
grown up to womanhood, dear father
ssIs It possible9" he said, looking at her
wi.ttully and gently, ''and where have l
been all these years'"
,-o,, aYertin v0Or.
self too much" said DR.. Conroy, who had
awakened at the frs. sound Of converse
ton. He came forward and laid his hand
on his patients pale brow. 'You have been
injured, and as soon as you are able to bear
it, all these things shall be explained to
YOU" He administered needed remedy,
talking cheertully and soothingly the while.
Chester Darlington looked in 1saoel's face
longngly and earnestly, seeming to fear
that the knowledge he had gained would
slip away from him. "Alicia's child" no
murmured, my little Isabelr'
ayes, father" she replied, taking his
hand in hers and caressing it, "your Isabel
and hers" and, still clasping his hand, she
watched him as he dropped again into q
semi-uuconscious state, half slumber, half
stupor.
Isabel looked at her husband with happy
eyes. "He knew me- Thank God for that" :"
she whispered.
"a wonderful thing that his memory
should come back to him." said DR.. Conroy.
'Does the fact give you any more hope Of
himi" she asked, an1iously.
He shook his head. "My dear Mrs. Fall
coner, do not wish to rouse false hopes"
he said; "oe prepared for the worst, and yet
the result Is In Gods hands still''
AS fast as it was at all safe to do so
Chester Darlington was told of the past,
and his surprise was unbounded US he
gsaSpea (, the sn ldsa ststS tsss hs hsa zss s
Isabel, at his request brought small
mirror to his bedside, and he looked at him
self in it. "a white-haired old man. ne
feebly. "How strange! how
stranger
His physical strength failed fast, but his
mind was as clear and acute as it had ever
been, and he seemed perfectly aware that
his days were numbered, and he could not
bear to have Isabel out OF his sight
"And I did not know you, DEAR" he said
Chow the affectionate heart must have
been grieved
"But YOU know me now, father" she
said, smoothing his white hair.
eyes, dear, and can tell Alicia all ABOUT
our little Isabel when I get home"
'sMy poor, poor Chester" and Mrs. Penn
broke leaned over the bed and shed great,
burning tears Of pity and distress at sight
Ct the white, drawn face.
''Not poor Chester any more, dear little
mother" he said, gently; "but rich, happy
Chester, now; he who was lost IS found
again, and is going hone."
It was impossible to mourn for him as for
one cut of il their full strength, and grief
was tempered by rejoicing that his memory
had come back to him so marvelously
s'My dear niece, do not, beg, reproach
said Major Darlington, earnest
"; "the issues of life and death are IN
Gods hands, and look upon it as re-
markable Providence that my poor brothers
life is ending 80 happily. If he had stayed
with US he was exposed to danger, also, SO
do not grieve, entreat You, on that ac-
count" for she had reproached herself bit
terly, thinking that II she had left him IN
his quiet home he might have lived many
years.
He had seemed unusually cheerful after
the arrival Of his friends, and they hoped
he might be spared for some time. His lie
for the past twenty years was perfect
blank to him now, and he was curious to
know what had occurred during the time,
and so FAR as he thought prudent, Major
Darlington had answered his many ques-
tions.
He dropped to sleep quietly at the usual
hour, ari the watchers took their places at
the bedside.
At midnight there was change, his
breathing became more labored and short
er, and heavy, gray pallor settled over
his thin features. Mrs Montiord flew to
I.abers chamber. "Come, Mrs. Falconer.
come quickly" she said, hurriedly, and then
went on 10 awake Mrs. Pembroke and Major
Carrington and his wife.
He was still sleeping when they reached
the room, but there was deaths imprint on
his sHnken features.
"Oh! father, father, can not you speak to
US once more,' cried Isabel, in anguish, as
she watched beside him. He opened his
eyes feeb;y, and looked at her long and