The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1893-07-05

~oHt.
They were all offcious in suggestions.
nut Uncle Jerry waited patiently for
Jacks opinion, believing, as most of the
community did, that whatever sense and
wisdom he did not possess were not worth
mentioning. He handed back the letter,
sSying: Don't worry about her, Uncle
Serry, but let her come. She doesn't write
like woman that's bound to sleep on
rose leaves, and remember" softly, IF
there's money wanted to make her com
Portable, I've q useless pile Of it all ready
for you to dip into"
Il guess well have enough Of it. YoG
aozce Daisy says she's collected a life IL,
susaace and won't be a burden to no
body. And lately I've been doing pretty
well with that stone post invention |
put some money into"
Uncle Jerry was almost helpless with
rheumatism, but Jack was a most able
cosdjutor. and by unblushiDg bribery
aD0 corruption succeeded in securing
the two most decent rooms in the tall
snanty called by courtesy the hotel for
the use of ths expected guests. There
ives much excitement among the resi-
dents when the appointed day came, and
the pretty, graceful woman who stepped
from the cars might we'll have been ter
ri6ed at the spectacle Of a platform
crowded with men, who eagerly watched
her every motion. But she had no thought
for anything but the sleeping child be-
meath whose weight her own slender
frame seemed almost bending. Such
men as those who watched her We're too
chivalrous to wait for Uncle Jerry's slow
approach. Half a dozen sprang forward
with an entreaty to be allowed to help
her, and in a moment the lovely 3-year-
old baby's blond curly head was resting
on jack Dinslnore's shoulder. The sleepy
blue eyes opened for a look at him, then
closed again contentedly, and the little
mother, with a grateful, ~confding glance,
turned to look for her uncle.
Its a genywine treat to see a first
class lady out here and a real live baby,
even if it's kinder weak and sickly," said
ono Of the gang Of observers ashley
siowly dispersed after enjoying the a4fec-
fioaate meeting between uncle and niece.
: It vas d feeling they all shared, and
tbs gentle, womanly influence so swayed
the crowd Of men who filled the long
esbles at the hotel that they were no
touger the reckless set who had been sit
ting there for months. Changes in dress
we're not practicable in every case, but
soap. Fazors and combs exerted their
constant and humanizing power.
The baby grew stronger every day,
and the mother was wildly happy in
watching the change il her darling, who
soon became the idol Of every one.
The long hotel piazza devoted TO smok-
ers was not a fit place for a woman, and
at Jacks instigation some Of the men
IAN ont a rough balcony or gallery in
front of Mrs. Lanes room, and there like
8 queen she held a little reception every
evening, with Uncle Jerry as chaperon.
All her new friends worshiped the bright
little woman and several who had no
home ties to hinder fell madly in love
with her. Some OF these mOdestly real
ICED the hopelesspess of their fancy and
soon drew off, watching with the others
the wooing Of two, who, whether hope
less OF not, were in dead earnest. One
of these aspirants was Jack Dinsmore,
Che other 8 less popular man, nicknamed
for obvious reasons "Bcsuty Mordaunt."
His remarkably handsome face and
graceful manners did not wir baby Lily
70 his caase. for the child never swerved
ii her championship of the first man her
sleepy eyes fell upon when the cars
brought her to her present hoEe. And
Jack adored the child openly, bat shyly
concealed, or thought he did, the pas
sionate love he felt for hey mother. In
Gle Jerry guessed his secret. and Day
said to him suddenly: Women coat
like dumb lovers, man. If you want her,
speak out. You have my consent full
and free"
So on this hint, which half kindled a
hope, Jack tried to speak one balmy twi-
light when ne happened to be on her bal
eony alone with his adored, while Lily,