The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-07-31
The click of the hammer, the ring

could not be estimated; that Mrs. La
pell would still remain with them, and
that she, JAMIE, had actually proved
herself of some use in the world.
I've always wished l had been
born boy, instead Of a girl, mused
jamie. But now with an eNultant
glance at the neat row of shingles, 1
am not so dissatisfied with my lot in
life"
Suddenly, however, as she sat
perched like squirrel on the slantlng
roof, the sound of voices strack on her
ear, she paused to listen.
Three diamond rings, l heard her
say so herself. In the finland drawer
of some bureau, said the same ac,
cents, which half an hour ago had
asket.. her for charity And no one
but woman in the house.
Sure of that" said a deeper voice.
Yes, plum-sure, was the answer.
and l wouldn't wonder if there was
other things for the picking up.
Come on, thea, said the other one,
sand step lively. We can't stand here
iawine all day. The door bolted, is
it, Wait a minute, I've got little
Joker here as would start any staples
this side of Denver.
jamie had listened in breathless
horror. In an instant, as it were, she
comprehended the full danger that
menaced Mrs. Lapell's treasured gems
the three diamond rings that the
boarder had once told her were worth
thousands of dollars. And here was
she alone and helpless.
: Hurriedly she turned over the crisis
In her mind. If she were to center
the house by the same way in which
she had left it she must certainly meet
these rutlians and any resistance which
sac could offer would be speedily over,
powered. But jamie Barr was not
one to hesitate long. While the
thoughts yet careered through her
brain, she sprang from the caves to
the blooming boughs Of the great
cherry tree, which grew SO close to
the house that its branches scraped the
roof on windy March days.
It was hazardous thing TO do fol
any one who was not swift of limb
and accurate of eye, but jamie alighted
like a cat on the fork of the tree.
climbed lightly down until she reached
its lower bough, and thence leaped
breathlessly to the ground, springing
swiftly across the meadows toward
Ralph Parsons carpenter shop:
''If he is not there, she thought
some Of his men will be" +"
jamie. what is it:''
Ralph Parsons himself rose up out
Of the green hedges, directly across
her path.
Il was drinking at the Ice Cold
spring" he said, when I heard youl
footsteps. What is it,"
She told him as well as she could fol
excitement and breathlessness.
"Come, she cried. do make
haste.'
He paused only to blow a small vii
low whistle which hung on his steel
guard.
That will bring my workmen, he
said. Its a singal we have agreed
upon among ourselves for just such an
emergency as this. You and Jones,
jamie, shall 60 around to the back
door, Hall and Robbins will watch the
front, and I'll 60 up and settle the fel'
lows
jamie glanced with shy admiration
into his set, determined face. After
all, it was something to be a man:
The little campaign was skilfully
conducted. The two thievs We're
taken, the diamond rings were deliv.
cred into jamie Bars keeping, and
the rufhans were dragged to the near
est jail.
"Oh, Ralph" said jamie, when all
the little crowd was gone, "how can
ever tnauk you:'
He smiled.
BY letting me put on these shing-
les for you, he said.
II can't said jamie, laughing and
blushing. They are put on already:
But I'll promise you my next job OF
carpentering."
Twill you let me be your carpenter
always. Janiel" he asked. will you
promise one day to be my WIFE!
The words had risen almost lnvol,
untarilyto his lips as he held her hand
in his-the words he had so longed,
yet dreaded, to speak.
And jamie hung her head and col
ored like a carnation and said she
would see.'
And Ralph Parsons knew that he
had Won the day.
Mrs. Barr and the boarder were
alike amazed when they returned
''Our jamie to circumyent a gang of
burglars" said the proud mother. .
ITO save my three diamond rings:
Historically cried Mrs. Lspell.
But that isn't all I have done.
mother" said jamie laughing. I
have shingled the roof. And-l have
promised to marry Ralph Parsons
next spring. Upon the whole, l think
it has been rather an eventful day,
mother, don't you?"
And Mrs. Barr did nat quite know
what to answer.-Satuday Night.