The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-06-19

4
ing. bot sun and frequent show
ers were making gamends for the tardy
coming of spring. The low, massive
clouds were heavy with rain. AS the
first drops fell on John Van Dyne's
canvas he gathered up his artist be-
longings and sought shelter.
"Just my iuck," muttered he. ~
couldn't have grouped the cattle bet
ter if had done it myself, and the light
was right until this confounded show
er came up"
He leaped the rail fence, crossed the
road and strode wrathfully up the
street Of the quiet Shaker village.
Strains Of mild, sweet melody Hoated
through the open windows Of the plain
white church, for this was Sabbath
day John Van Dyne had chosen to desc
crate.
Thither he hurried, for the rain was
beating down hard and sharp. Depos-
iting his encumbrance in the little YES
tibule, with much needless clatter, he
entered the worship room and took a
seat. The congregation turned to
gaze at the intruder-the white
capped sisters in a mildly reproachful
way. Sister Tabitha quickly averted
her face, and her voice was silent dur.
ing the rest of the musical exercises.
At the close of the minister's dis
course, in the hustle Of the prepara-
tion for the dancing which in reality
was lively marching with waving arms,
Sister Tabitha diseppeared through a
side door.
Surely nature never meant this
woman, with her gorgeous, sensuous
beauty, for an ascetic. Her beautiful
dark eyes were full Of earthly tender
ness and longing. The roses Of her
cheeks were Of too deep hue to have
faded out entirely. The calm of her
expression was that Of the apathy OF
despair rather than an evidence OF
holy peace and quiet mind.
The morning dawned cool and bright,
and Van Dyne, having craved the hos
pitality of the community, remained
until he had finished his study. Sister
Tabitha pleaded illness, and remained
in seclusion during his stay. Her du-
ties were in the herb garden, in which
her roommate shared. The latter was
middle aged and deaf, besides being
much absorbed in self-communing, and
consequently was little restraint to
Sister Tabitha.
The herb garden lay at the north Of
the house Of the aged sisters, and be-
yond stretched the apple orchard. Sis
ter Martha, who had been the elder SIS
ter when Sister Tabitha 6rst joined
the community, had been transferred
to the house of the aged sisters. From
her window she watched Sister Tabitha
at her labors, and noted with sorrow
that the old restlessness had returned.
"It seemed" said Sister Martha to
the sister who shared her coZy nook
at the window, "that Sister Tabitha
would never gather, but at last she
found rest and peace. I can't see
what has disturbed her. I fear the
old longing for the world has come
back"
Wasn't there something mysteri-
Gus about her when she came?" asked
Sister Sarah.
"Yee," Sister Martha replied, "but
then there is more or less mystery
about all who come after they are
grown. We did not question her. She
said she had had trouble and wanted
refuge. She is still young and like
ly at times feels the attractions Of
the world, but, then," added Sister
Martha, "that is something can't un-
derstand, for 7 came here with my
mother when was too young to re-
member. Before she died she made
me promise never to leave. More
over, I can't see how anyone should
want to live In the sinful world"
's1t must be the heat" said the sis
ters, in commenting on Sister Ta-
bitha's changed appearance; "it's an
uncommon hot season"
One day Sister Tabitha with few
Of the sisters went up the grass
grown lane to the sheep pasture,
where some rare herbs were to be
found. She drew apart from the rest
and pursued her quest alone, the bet
ter to indulge in her sad thoughts.
In passing around a clump of bushes
she came face to face with John Van
Dyne. he sprang towards her with
outstretohed arms, scattering canvas
and brushes to the winds.
Edith" exclaimed he.
eyes, tits I, John, but don't you