The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-06-26

SCpG l. lo1lSCS, liz lllSII iSO. SHOIlill
ing features in their shawls and snig-
gered, while the young men helpless
ly sprawled about in violent contor-
tons of laughter.
The young gentleman colored and
laughed good naturedly at the thrust.
The expression of Frances face was
a compound of embarrassment, anger
and disgust. The demonstration was
highly tiattering to the preacher.
His face was purple and swollen with
glee. After quietude had partially
been restored he said: $50,
In order ter git yer minds a little
easy about this young man, SOS you
kin gave me little of Yer tent!on,
I'll tell We all who he is: He's Wllle
Miller, the son NV Mr.. Jacob Miller,
our neiehbor. Willie haz been OFT
down in the blue grass, a-goln to col
lege and haZ growed SO tnat you S1rls
and boys haz all fergot him. All un
We take er good look at him now afore
/ start the gospel wagon, and then less
US have no more interruptions. Billy,
don't yer think no ways hard O me fer
talkin like We wuz peacock. | was
sorter mad atthem young roosters back
thar or l wouldn't er done it.
Only sly glances from sullen, jeal.
Gus eyes were sent toward the new
conner thenceforward by the young
men. OF course the girls could not
keep their eyes away from him and
were not expected to.
Ever and anon Frances would turn
her blue eyes on his handsome face,
and her heart would beat much faster
when she would do so.
Mr.. Miller would frequently look
at Frances, and when he would do so
he'd find immediate and pressing ne-
cessity for deeper breathing.
Il knew she'd been a pretty little
girl" he thought. but who could
have believed she would have de
veloped into a regular sumner? On,
me-.
He was a nice looking Little boy
tolerable-Dut who could have guess,
ed he would have grown into such a
wonderfully handsome man: On,
dear" And so thinking Frances
would steal another look.
"Oh, me, Now I see how very, very
foolish has been the feud that has sc
long existed between my family and
hers. Nh. Miller thought.
My father thinks he can never for
give the Miller family, but l don't
think one should be so unreasonable
and headstrong. I can forgive even
the cid man Miller Frances thought.
II love her sure thought William
Miller.
Now knew what love is for the
first time" thought Frances Blanker-
ship
''Oh, if I can only win her" thought
William.
''Oh, if he'd only try to win me-,
thought Frances.
She shall be mine" he mentally
vowed.
I'D be his if could be" she men
tally vowed
When preaching was over and the
Jolly streams of young people had
flowed out of the house and formed
an eddy of happy tumult in front,
young Miller went up to Frances,
who was about starting, and lifting
his hat said, This is my schoolmate,
Miss Frances Blankership, believe:.
The young girl smiled, blushed and
bowed.
':If you have no objection, Id like
the pleasure of being your escort
home2'
The girl turned very pale for mo-
ment, hesitated, then resolutely spoke
her consent.
They walked on in embarrassed,
perplexed silence for some time. Then
William spoke with decision:
Miss Frances, it's very abrupt, in
deed, my talking as I shall talk, the
first time I've seen you since we were
children; but necessity forces me to
it, and it will, I hope, be good ex-
cuse. I may not have an opportunity
such as this for a long while; there
fore I'll say-I love you. know
you are thinking of that old feud
that has so long existed between our
people. It has been bad, and for that
reason, if for no other, it should stop,
It cannot be wrong to do away with
what has only done-can only do
harm. I love you. It's love, you
might say, at first. sight, but it's love
as strong as years can make 1t. II
I'd have plently of opportunities to
tell you this later on, it would OF
course be almost rude to make the
declaration at this time. But must
speak when I can. Oh. Frances,
shall we not end this old, miserable,
foolish feud?"
He caught her little hand 1t
trembled in his own like scared
dove. She turned her tender eyes
to his anxious gaze. He saw tears
on the fringes of her lips. He had
won.
"God bless you, little sweetheart
he exclaimed, lifting her hand to his
burning lips.
Then the humor Of the whole mat
ter oOrke upon them, ana tney IauSneo
aloud in their great happiness.
Their laughter, however, was short
lived, for looking up they saw old
man Blankership coming toward them
with furious strides.
s.Oh, heavens" exclaimed Frances.
turning with frightened, appealing
ewes to William, there comes papa,
Oh, William, what will you do: Oh
my God"
The young man smiled confidently
ands said:
Now, darling, trust me, will you:
Say you will. Before heaven. swear
that neither l nor your father shall
be harmed. I'm only afraid on your
account, and if you will trust me row
YOU shall have no reason for fear, l
swear it. Nothing that shall do now
must alarm you. Trust me, darling.