The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-11-25
A STOCK OF
THOMAS P. MONFORT.
CHAPTER XVIII.

Daring the next two weeks Pearson
went 70 Green's three Or four times,
aid though he never had an interview
sw;ta Louise, he gave her to understand
,the state Of his heart, and did every
thar IN his power to ingratiate himself
into her good graces. lie also sought
to broaden and deepen the hold he had
n2cn Johns feelings, and upon the
whole was quite well satisfied with the
progress he was making. He had no
hope OF winning Louise's love, but he
thought nc was gaining her esIeem and
that was enough.
s'If can only have her respect" he
thought, Il can easily bring her to my
terms when the time comes. Green
will soon use up the money he Dor
rowcti. and then Louise must choose
between me and hunger-hunger not
only for herself, but for her father and
her sick mother. And the victory will
be mine by easy odds. for she is such a
simple, ionest-hcarecd little thing that
she VIII readily make any sacrifice in
order to spare her parents. Just few
more days of clear sailing and shall
arrive in port with my prize all safe
and sound. In the meantime, though,
s ] must begin to prepare the girls mind
so that she may be prepared for the
climax"
So in accordance with this idea, Pear
son managed, on the occasion OF his
next visit, to induce Louise to take q
walk with him. She was 10th to go,
knowing what his sentiments were to-
ward her. and feeling all her old re-
pugnance for him returning in full
{ force, but she recalled all his kindness
to her father and his generous solici-
tude Tor her poor mother, and she felt
it her duty to acquiesce in so small a
wish.
At first he talked OF ordinary matters,
such as any two acquaintances might
speak.of, but finally he became more per-
sonal and began to ask her about her
life. To all his questions she made
: straightforward, truthful replies, ac-
s knowledging that her existence was by
no means pleasant.
.sI should think" he remarked, ''that
yon would long for society and the
brighter scenes of life
81 do" she replied, though I try
hard not to. 1t is very wrong to repine
and grieve, but it is not easy always to
avoid it."
II don't think there is any wrong in
It, he said. ''Yours is a hard lot, and
it is only human that you should long
for something better"
'sWhat's the use of longing for some
thing can't have? 1t only makes me
the more miserable, and besides it's a
sin against those lore. Think Of my
poor mother, how much less bright her
klife is than mine. know it IS wrong
96grieve over my situation, and I'm
ashamed that am weak enough to do
so.'
Pearson made no reply al once, but
walked on some distance in silence.
He was revolving in lis mind the
words she had just spoken and trying
70 decide how to proceed the most ef-
fectuanv. When at last he spoke it
was to this effect:
sWell, you are right, suppose, in
thinking that it is useless to grieve for
what We cannot have, but sometimes
we can have things when we do not
think So"
Louise looked up inquiringly, and the
glance Pearson had Of her lovely face
embo!dened him to proceed.
''You can have happier existence if
you choose" he went on. ''You can
have friends, society and enjoyment.
They ere ell within your reach Would
you exchange this life for that?"
Something in the eagerness of his
voice, as he asked the question, at
tracted the girls attention and caused
her to start. She had an intuition of
his meaning and longed to fee from
him. However, as that was not posi-
bic, she walked on without making any
reply. he waited awhile, and seeing
that she was not going to answer him,
be repeated his question. BY this time
she had regained her composure, and
Ter reply came calmly and steadily.
Yes, it is only natural" she said,
that I should be willing to exchange
this life for better one. suppose 10
sane person would hesitate an instant
to do that"
s'Then will you make the exchange"
he asked.
THAT is impossible, Mr.. Pearson,
she replied quietly, totally ignoring the
meaning of his question. ''At least I
cannot hope for such thing for a long
time"
He felt that the time had come to
speak out. Yet he hesitated. What he
had supposed an easy task he found
most difficult. He was reckless, hon
orless and heartless, but still he qualeo
before this innocent girl - this girl
whom he loved to desperation. Away
from her presence he could deliberate
on his plan without qualm Of con-
science, but her sweet face, her clear,
honest eyes disarmed and confused him.
He felt small and mean, and the little
spark Of manhood IN him made an eff
fo-t to assert itself. For an instant he
was overwhelmed with the heinous-
ness of his intended crime, and there
was short conflict between his better
and baser natures, but the latter being
master of him soon asserted itself anC
crowded out all sense Of shame and re
gret.
sIf were free" he mused, Il would
make this girl my honest wife. but an
not free and cannot become so, and al
can do is to make her my wife III al
save the name. In some iaraway spot
where no one knows US OF can evel
learn Of our past, she and can live as
man and wife and be as happy as
though we. were. With old Blatchford's
money, which Justly belongs TO her and