The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-06-21

ON, fatner. QOn tdlk SO, anu VII ,.
Lloyd wiped a tear from her cheek. L
most know Patty likes John. and l
wouldn't have our girls heart hurt for
all the hedges in the country"
This remark was the one thing need
ed to raise the passion Of Seth Lloyd to
white heat Notwithstanding his
long trusteeship in the little church
near by. he swore. with an awful oath,
that Patty should have nothing 70 do
with the Manchesters.
AS for John. he also acted unwisely.
He went straight home. and finding his
father lying under the great walnut
trees which shaded the lawn, he told
him the whole story.
Richard Manchester was much
younger man than his neighbor. John
was an only child, and as the boy had
been motherless since his birth, there
was little his father had denied him.
But as he listened, the face Of the elder
man grew hard and stern. This was
not the first trouble between Seth Lloyd
and himself. Manchester's more pro-
gressive ways Of farming had always
been ridiculed by the old man, and
more especially had this been the case
in the last few years since these very
ways had begun to bring in large re-
turns. The hedge had already been a
source of dispute, IS it took the place
Of line fence, and had, when small,
often been passed over and trodden on
by Manchester's cattle.
"I think I've stood enough from Seth
Lloyd" Mr. Manchester, senior, said,
firmly. II believe III test the matter
Of the hedge in the courts, although 1
am opposed, on general principles, to
lawing. You kept Professor Lutz's
letters, didn't you, John?'
Yes, sir, but"
But what?" the father asked, i'm
patiently Il hope old Lloyd did not
frighten you?'
II don't think am afraid John an
swered, smiling little. But there's
Patty"
Patty? On, yes, see Well, John,
I'll go a little slow for your sake, but
Seth Lloyd will never overlook what
happened to-day
Time proved the truth of Richard
Manchester's words. Seth Lloyd let no
opportunity Of annoying his neighbor
go unimproved Several times hot
words passed between the two men.
John and Patty met at church and
in various social ways. There was
little chance for conversation, and
John determined to see the girl alone
and come to a definite understanding
with her Fortune soon favored him.
One sunny afternoon he was drilling
wheat. AS he turned his team he
caught a glimpse of trim little figure
in dark blue stroliing leisurely along
the road only few rods from him.
John tied his horse to a convenient
tree, hurried across the field, leaped
over the fence, and stood leaning
against the trunk of beech when
Patty approached.
She started, but the look Of Joy in
her eyes did not escape Johns notice.
Come, Patty, and sit down here"
he said, imperatively. Il must talk
to you, and there's no telling when I
can see you again.
Patty obeyed unquestioningly, and
he took his place at her side. The
sunlight peered down at them through
the screen of silver-green leaves, bring
ing out glints Of brightness in Patty's
hair, and in the goldenrod in her lap,
and a squirrel paused to eye them cur
iously; but they needed none Of these.
There, once more, the story of love
was told, the story each retelling Of
which is the crown OF some life.
Eyes. I love you. John" Patty said,
her cheeks aglow. but papa will never,
never consent, and I dare not oppose
him.
They talked for long time John
wished to go straight to Seth Lloyd and
tell him OF the engagement, but Patty
would not consent
we must wait she said. ANY
more trouble would break mammals
heart. I don't know how it will come
out. but. John, will always be true
to you.
With this John was obliged to be
content. Patty bade him a fearful
farewell and went on her way. He
sighed as he went back across the
field. Surely it was hard that two
young lives should be overshadowed
by--yes, by barberry hedge. John
smiled and threw back his shoulders
proudly. He would wait patiently
for time. but in the end Patty should
be his wife.
The autumn wore away, and still the
trouble about the hedge increased.
Mr.. Lloyd was planning to set another
barberry hedge between his farm and
Manchester's. When Richard Man
chester learned this he consulted a
lawyer, and the trouble was farther
from peaceful settlement than ever.
On frosty morning late in NoTem-
Der Mr.. Lloyd started for the corn
field, which lay at the extreme back
part of his large farm. He was not
feeling we'll, so he hitched horse to
his cart and drove back along the lane
until he reached the field where the
huskers were busy Hitching the
horse to the fence, he went forward to
inspect the work
When Seth Lloyd drove back along
the lane he was in a bad hunlor. There
was no use in closing his eyes to the
fact-his farm was not doing as well
as when he was able to personally give
it his attention.
Everything is going to ruin" he
muttered, shivering as the raw wind
smote his face If jest had son.
Not but Patty's a girl any man might