The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-06-05

Miss LIZZIE had run away to get mar
ried.
In ten minutes she returned accom-
panied by Mrs. Blakes sister, Mrs.
Cynthia Harden, and her daughter
Elvira Jane
Mrs. Harden, portly lady, was all
out of breath. and Eivira Jane, slen-
der and willowy, was pale and agltat-
ed.
.,Cassandra, gaSped Mrs. Harden,
as she dropped heavily into a char,
what is all this | hear: Patty, SAYS
Lizzie's run away to get married; but
can't believe its true.
And then Mrs. Blake explained what
had occurred.
She left my house last night about
half-past nine, said Mrs. Harden.
growing very red while her daughter
became equally pale. NV ASH t Iom
with her Elvira Jane!
NO. ma. Tom and she Quarreled
the first part of the evening, because:
She danced with-with Mr.. Parker.
And Elvira James voice trembled
As she spoke the name.
Il thought so. They've lndoubt-
edly run off together, or perhaps he S
helped to get her off to the city.
Il wouldn't have believed it OF
Elizabeth said Mrs Harden, with in
dignant emphasis. Il wouldn't have
believed it Of any girl that she could
play such an underhand part. Why
She knew that Elvira Jane was as good
as engaged to Orville Parker.
At this Miss Harden's feelings,
hitherto suppressed, became too acute
for endurance, and she sat down on
the kitchen settee and burst into hys
terical weeping.
Don't cry. Elvira Jane" said hel
Uncle JOSEPH kindly. ''Ifthe fellow $
capable of acting in this way, he ain
worth shedding 4 tear for.
''Therell be something TO shed be
sides tears when Joe comes TO hear oi
it said Mrs. Harder, savagely. He
amt one to see his sister put upon II
this way. Joe isn't.
Just here there was a knock al the
outer kitchen door, which, being
opened, admitted two or three of the
nearest neighbors, who had come tt
obtain information and administer
consolation to the family in thei,
trouble.
For by this time, thanks TO Patty
half the village knew that Deacon
Blake's pretty niece, who had made hi:
home so bright in the few months tha
she had lived with them, and whc
everybody had decided was TO marry
his son Tom, had run off and got mar
ried to the dandy dry goods clerk, late
ly imported from the city.
''Well, I'm awfully cut up abou
it. I'm sure" said Mrs. Peters the
wheelright's wife, as she folded hel
hands on her ample chest, and sol
emnly shook her head. I wish
could say something to comfort you
Mrs. Blake, but I've always noticed
that them as you're kindest to has the
least gratitude, and adopted children
are sure to bring trouble on the fami
ly."
LAS for me, I've been expecting i
all along" said Miss Tucker, who was
president of the Female Mission ant
Charity Association. Il noticed the
way Lizzie Gray and that Mr.. Parker
looked at each other IN the church
Sunday night; and Tom Blake noticed
it. too. for he appeared awful glum
and got up and went out before any
body else-almost before the blessing
was spoke. I remember 1 said to my
self, if Elizabeth Gray and Orville
Parker don't make a runaway match
before long, then I'm no saint,
IF some folks would attend more
to the sermons in church, and less tc
the looks and doings of other folks,
said Mrs. Harden, addressing nobody
in particular, bat looking straight be
fore her with a stony gaze, they'd be
considerable more of saints that they
are likely to become other ways"
Mrs. Tucker glanced appealingly al
Mrs. Peters, and put on a martyrllke
expression.
Il can excuse you, ma'am, she
said, with great politeness, and 8
COMPASSIONATE glance toward Elvira
Jane. considering how badly you
must feel about this matter. 1t isn't
many of us can bear disappointments
with patience and Christian meekness
and fortitude.' y
Mrs. Harden's countenance certain
ly expressed neither meekness no,
patience, but her reply was averted by
a sudden exclamation from Patty, who
was staring out of the window at sun
dry curious and inquisitive faces OF
passers:by, peering above the front
garden pallngs:
''Lor, mum, they're coming Mis-.
ter Tom-and Mister Joe, too.
Joe Harden was hurrying up the
road from one direction and Tom
Blake driving from another.
The two young men met at the gate,
and after exchanging a few words
Tom left his wagon in the yard and
they entered the kitchen together.
Toms face was white, while Joe's
was as red as his mothers.
We'll, Joe," said Deacon Blake
hastily stepping forward.
Joe answered in a hard, sharp way
Parker left the hotel this morning
at five o'clock. He hired buggy.
He didn't say where he was going,
but Larry, the milkman, met him near
the Meadow Bridge driving with a
lady. who he is sure was Lizzie.
But in that case where was she all
night
Joe sternly shook his head.
Mrs. Blake burst into passion of
weeping,
Tom. meanwhile, had taken some.
thing from a small box on the top
shelf of the closet, and was closely
examining it at the window.
"Oh, Tom" cried Elvira Jane,
What do you mean to do with that
dreadful thing"
Tom made no reply.
His lips were firmly set, and he put
the pistol into his breast pocket and
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