The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-07-15

serious one.
Dear me! you wouldn't catch me looking
so like an owl if had some one to send N,
diamond rings" cried Jennie, as Isabe
turned the brilliant slowly around on bel
finger.
s'Dear Isabel, am so clad for you," sale
gentle Lottie Ford, rising and limping ovel
to her side, where she stood caressing The
waves of Isabel's dark hair, as she whis
pered softly: II believe he is a good man
and that is worth more than gold or dia
monds."
eyes, Lottie," replied Isabel. in awhispe1
also; yet that seems to pe the last thing
others think Of. II I could not have fel
that he was good and true, I would nerer have
consented"
Nine o'clock precisely brought Mr.. Fal
coner to the shop, where he proffered his re
quest with the air of a man who knew wha
be was about. Madam was all smiles, ant
seeing that the affair was reality and neal
at hand, began to alter her department to
ward Isabel materially, in hope Of gain Il
herself; the future wife OF millionaire be
ing person Of much more Importance il
her eyes than plain Isa el Grant.
She could not forbear one little maliciou:
shot, however, and she asked with toucf
of sarcasm IN her honeyed tones: ''Do your
friends, the Stanfords, attend the wedding!'
''Mrs Falconer will make the acqualnt
ance Of my friends in her own home
madam" replied Mr.. Falconer, coldly; he
understood the sarcasm perfectly, and re
sented it.
Il observe that the ring fitted, Miss
Grant," he said, gravely, taking her hand
there were too many curious eyes about tc
indulge in aught but commonplaces.
II wonder you could have guessed so &C.
curately," she replied.
"At one, then, you will be ready" he con
tinued, still holding her hand.
YES" How strong he was; how his pres.
ence swept away all the objections which
when the darkness and solitude Of might
had surrounded her, came trooping to her
mind, suggesting thousand tormentine
thoughts and fears.
IF there are any expenses to be met you
will allow me to defray them," making 9
motion toward his breast pocket Nine.
Arnot had withdrawn her sharp eyes for
the moment
'sOh, no, no." and she shrank back
hastily; 81 have been frugal and am well
supplied for the present"
There was little accomplished in the
work room that morning, the prospect OF
the wedding in the afternoon effectually
dlssipating business ideas.
Isabel would almost have preferred leav'
ing her life at Nine. Arnot's where she had
taken it up, in the work room, but she ban
ished the idea as sentimental one. Ali the
girls were to he present at the ceremony,
and Kitty Ray remarked that they owed
Isabel vote Of thanks for getting them a
glimpse Of madam's parlor, which, though
nothing grand iu itself, she held sacred
from the intrusion Of her shop-girls, but in
this instance she could not refuse the re-
quest of the rich Mrs. Falconer to be.
She was too busy during the short time
remaining to have many ideas aside from
packing her slender wardrobe into trunk
several sizes too small for it. 81 suppose the
next time you travel you will have sara
toga trunk with cupola on It," said
Jennie, as she dextrously fitted Isabeps
best hat into box.
1.-The future looks like a vast untried
sea-" replied Isabel, $50 entirely vague
that make no calculations on what may or
may not come to me-
'sNot even in the prosaic matter of a
trunk" laughed Jennie; now, should have
a whole wardrobe, hung with elegant
dresses, and half jewelry store blocked
out in my mind it stood in your shoes"
Isabel dressed herself in her best, plain
brown silk, suitable for travelling, with
bonnet and wrap to match, and she looked
quite as stylish as Mrs. Stanford herself,
and Mr. Falconer looked at her in pleased
surprise as he, in company with clergy
man, came into the parlor; he had only
seen her in her PLAIN shop dress, and to- day
she had let down her hair and allowed it to
take its natural bent, the little tendrils
curling about her forehead and quite trans
forming hor plain face. "a decidedly hne-
looking woman" was Harvey Falconer's in
ward comment, "aad Will ft into her sur.
roundings like charm"
The solemn service was soon said, the
heavy wedding ring slipped into it's place,
and after bidding the girls an affectionate
goodbye, Isabel Falconer was handed to
the carriage in waiting, and bade adieu for.
ever to her life at Nine. Arnot's, and it re-.
mained to be seen whether Harvey Falcone,
had read her character Alright, or had made
false move in the game oflife.
ITO be continued