The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-08-21
MAGGIE'S El OPEMENT.

cost HIM gOOd deal, Out ne !iao Soiio
through it and been profited IN the
end. He always claimed to have
ideas" of his own, which, somehow,
he invariably contrived to carry out
in way to suit himself. This was the
first time during twenty years OF mar
ried life that his confding spouse had
ever questioned his methods, and It
surprised him so very much that he
could only look at her in dumb aston
astonishment.
Now, tell me what in the name OF
common sense has set you so despera-
tely against Ted Minter?' she asked,
with asperity in her voice. L always
thought you had very high opinion
of him before, ever since ne was d
boy"
He hasn't any spunk, and, what IS
worse. he isn't likely to have any as
long as he lives" replied Mr.. Wig
fall.
''Pshaw, jim. You know better than
that. Ted mas got grit, and you know
it." cried Mrs. Wigfal. Then she ad-
ded, as clincher: He always man
ages to come around and see Maggie
when he wants to, in spite OF your
threat to shoot him on sight.
Maybe he does manage to come.
But he doesn't want to see her very
bad except when have my back turn
ed, or am away from home.
'sBut he always comes in at the
front door" insisted Mrs. Wigfall.
"And always goes out oft, too, IN
hurry, when l show myself. 1t is
lucky for him that the cap snapped
on my gun when I shot at him to-
night"
The gun was empty, Jim" laughed
Mrs Wigfal1.
How do you know.
''We examinedit this evening before
Jou came home.
I'll lock that gun up after this, so
you women folks can't meddle with 1t:
And next time 1 snap cap at Ted
Ninter somebody is going 10 get
hurt
'sNow, Jim," said Mrs. Wigfall, in
persuasive tones, don't make a fool
of yourself. I never did set myself up
against you before, before, but IN this
thing my whole heart is interested,
and I will see that Maggie and Ted
get one another if they feel that way
inclined"
"And I have made up MY mind
that they shall be kept apart, sa id Mr..
Wigfall.
well, then it is Ted, Maggie and
myself that you will have to fight and
we will see who wins in the end"
Eve got an idea, and III bet on
that, muttered Mr.. WigfaD.
A couple of days latter Mrs. Wlgfall
and her daughter Maggie were sitting
on the poach in the warm spring sun
shine, the former shelling the seasons
first mess of new peas, and the latter
busily engaged with her crochet need
le.
'sTed sent me note this morning
by Cousin Tom, saying he was coming
here this evening, said Maggie. Now
mamma. can't you manage to keep
papa off the porch tonight, so he and
Ted won't get into any trouble.
81 don't know Maggie, but can
try" replied Mrs. Wigfall. Il wish
you and Ted would hurry up and
come to an understanding before
your father becomes plumb cantank.
erous and does something desperate,
and there was look Of anxiety IN the
mothers eyes as she stopped her work
a moment and looked up at her daugh-
ter.
Ted wants me to run away with him
and marry him. He just begged me
and begged me the other evening
when he was here.
1T is bad business at best, this
running away" half mused Mrs.
WiefalI. There is no telling what
father would do then. You can't count
on him from one moment to the
next. %
"Ted said he wasn't afraid. '
''No; he would risk almost any
thing, I suppose, to get you.
''If he asks me again tonight, NAM
ma what shall I tell him."
81 really don't know, daughter.
Then, looking up, smiling, she asked:
What would you like tell him."
Maggie blushed prettily. She sprang
up from her chair, ran to where her
mother was sitting, and put both arms
around her neck.
Il would ike to say yes, she whls-
pered shyly. Il never would ac-
knowledge to Ted how much thought
of him, but to you, mother dear, l
can own up that I would do almost
anything in the world to make him
happy. I would go anywhere with
him.
There was a happy gleam in the
mothers eyes as she looked at her
daughters pretty face.
"I know how it feels, my dear, she
said. 1T comes to all of US, that feel
ing, sooner or later, and then it either
makes or mars our lives.
''But what must I tell him, If he
asks me again tonight?" Maggie whls-
pered.
Tell him what your heart bids YOU
Then it will be yes
After awhile mother and daughter
left the porch and went into the house;
AS they did so Mr.. Wigfall stepped
out upon the porch, through an open
window, and an amused smile played
around his lips.
1T works like a charm, he: mur-
INJURED, as he went down the front
steps and wended his way toward TIE
barn.
After supper that evening, when
Mrs. Wipfau was irving to think OF
some scheme to keep her husband IN
side the house he approached her.
Il thought I would 60 into town
to the lodge tonight, > he said. Il
shall probably be away till mid
night"
Mrs. Wigfall tried to look disap-
pointed.