The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-10-30

OGkJeu startled Estel1e.
spoke her person Of superior qualities
Of character, tender sympathies, cour-
age in high resolutions.
His truly chi7alrous mind kept all
women upon pedestals, and in his re-
gard all possessed some Of the sweet
perfections with which his mother and
Nine. Fidele were endowed. Yet, though
he was keenly sensible Ci the attrac-
tions Of the bayou bellies and prairie
lassies, he had remained heart free.
Evariste had before repeated to him
concentrations spoken by the fair,
and II they had fallen gratefully on
his ear they had failed to stir his i'm
agination, but the words Of Estelle sur
prised and thrilled him. Such emotions
defy analysis, and thus, without under
standing why, he realized that the
task he had from conscience imposed
upon himself took poetic color which
it had wholly wanted but for her inter
est. He experienced no difficulty in de-
Gliding that he should without loss OF
time call on his gentle colleague, both
to pledge his loyalty to the cause she
had espoused and delicately warn her
to reticence in the presence Of her VOLT
BILE grandfather, whose malleability in
the masterful hands Of Quillebert
might otherwise become the fruitful
source Of mischief.
The bride path through the swamps
behind the bayou fields shortened con-
siderably the distance between LES
perance and the Latiolais plantation.
The shadows Of afternoon were but
beginning to lengthen when Oakfell
startled Estelle, with broad hat tied un-
der her chin and shears in her hand,
clipping shrub Of sweet olive. Flush
ed cheeks and embarrassed manner tes-
tilted her maidenly timidity, but quick
ly the convent taught politeness came
to her aid, and she gracefully welcomed
her visitor to seat upon the yeranda,
where at the summons Of her mistress
Odette served cool water favored with
the sirup Of mandarins.
"You will, I hope, be not displeased,
mademoiselle, when l tell you that
three years have made such change IN
your appearance that scarcely would
have recognized you elsewhere than
here at your home" said Oakfell.
81 sufficiently realize that" she re-
piled, when I look at my mirror and
then at the little daguerreotype sent
to grandpere from New Orleans when
I first went to the convent. Sometimes
I fear shall be an old woman while
my companions are still young girls.
Laure Luneau is two years older than
I, but she looks two years younger"
"Is she one Of your companions?'
asked Oakfell.
eve have known each other all our
lives," answered Estelle, land the men
ton Of her name reminds me, N1r. Oak
felp'-
81 beg you will not" Oakfell inter-
rupted.
"But," she persisted, 81 feel bound"-
$50 do l." said Oakfcll. smiling, "for
there are other matters we can discuss
with more likelihood Of agreement
for instance, the message you sent to
me by Quillebert's jockey, Leon"
"Oh, Mr.. Oakfell," she exclaimed,
"Tas ever such a cruel, wicked wrong:
But you will protect poor Leon and de-
liver him from that ferocious man, Will
you not?"
Your command moved my mind to
that resolution" he said.
"And you will succeed" she declared,
with warmth. Father Grhe's account
of your speech in the legislature
against that disgraceful law forbidding
emancipation of slaves told me you
were brave and wise, and your cham 1
pionship Of me in the election Of god
mother for the bell told me you were
generous, and therefore I sent Leon to
you. Was I too bold, and did 1 do
wrong? I had no time to advise with
my grandfather"
"No, mademoiselle. My misgiVing
is as to my own ability. But what
strength I have shall be exerted to the
fullest, and should success meet my ef-
forts the gratitude Of Leon and Odette
will be due to you
"And mine to you, Mr.. Oakfell. So
you will receive it all, as you we'll de-
serve"
"Your grandfather is well, trust.
Is he at heme?" Oakfell inquired.
"He is quite well, but regret is not
at home. He rode away an hour ago.
fear, to Quillebert's," Estelle replied,
an expression Of pain coming to her
face. "1 Go wish dear grandfather
was not so much with that bad man,
whose evil influence over his kind,
yielding nature so much dread"
an. Latiolais' virtues are too con-
frmed to be weakened by contact with
SO coarse a character.- Nevertheless"
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