The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-11-06
CHAPTER II.
TN A GARDEN LAY a Lutte"

that you sent to ME at the
~ close Of the trial, made
~ moiselle, had to be ac-
knowledged in person!
Those two short lines made me very
happy, l assure you" Oakfell and
Estelle were sitting on the veranda Of
! the Latiolais mansion in the early even
! ing Of springs first month. The twin
! kle of stars was upon the bosom of the
! full bayou, which was often rippled by
| the plunge Of leaping fish. The odors
of china blossom, rose and jasmine fill
ed the air, and the whippoorwills S
plant softened the wildly joyous pot
! pourri Of saltant mocking bird in the
: feathering top Of crooked kneed cy-
press.
''The sisters Of the convent would
have chided NE for bo!dness in sending
those lines to you," Estelle said, but l
could not restrain myself. And, Mr..
Oakfell, could not have survived your
defeat. l am sure l could not. You
must not judge lie us severely as the
sisters for my forwardness of speech"
THE sisters are assuredly good in in
tention and good in deed, but their Sc
clusion units them to judge Of the
proper rules Of life which have relation
to the thoughts, desires and impulses
Of the great human family. The emo
tional struggle through which you have
! passed in consequence Of thiS lawsuit
he pious nuns could rot understand and
therefore. mademoiseile, coIld uot ap-
preciate 1t follows that they would
not be proper judges Of tile appro-
priateness Of any speech or communi-
cation between you and me Oh the sub
ject. AS for me, the result would have
been manned without your expressions
Of satisfaction. They were the rewards
for which labored."
Estelle lowered her head and held
silence lest attempted reply should be-
tray her agitation and her alteration of
this man. She felt sorely the loss Of i
.mother's training. which so eGectual!y
habituates the creole girl to still the
maidenly sentiments.
'"My brother has not seemed to join
in the general rejoicings Of my friends"
Oakfell remarked, to the great relief Of
the embarrassed girl. But he is also
somewhat of Il recluse, 4 poet and
dreamer, who loves to view men and
their affairs from a height. OF late |
have feared his health was impaired
and have suggested to him TO spend the
coming summer in the mountains OF
Virginia. He docs not take to the idea.
however, and expresses reluctance to
going away from the plantation"
81, too, have noticed bis changed ap-
pearancc and manner. Formerly he
came often to our house; now seldom
see him, and then he appears almost
unfriendly. Maybe he is in love, or
mayb. l have offended him." Estelle
suggested.
"Not the latter, am certain" said
! Oakfell, land do not think the for
mcr, but II such should be the case l
wonder who can be the happy demoi-
selle?'
81 could not guess replied Estelle,
! "but do know one who ardently ad-
mires him.
"Who is she?"
"Laure Juneau. She was very jeal-
Gus Of the friendly visits NJ. E7ariste
formerly paid to ME. Alas. she has no
! ca,se for jealousy now!
"Do you regret it?' asked Oakfell,
alarmed.
"Regret what?" Estelle looked up.
surprised.
"That the Gascon gypsy girl has no
cause for jealousy Of you concerning
Evariste."
81 regret that be visits me so sell
dom, but not the other" Estelle, with
womanly instinct perceived that the
sting Of jealousy had momentarily
thrown Oakfell or his guard. and she
reioiced in this as the beginning Of
proof that he loved her. But why do
you call I.aure a eypsy?" she Quericd.
81 should not have done So" Oakfell
admitted, "but suppose the thought
rose from her black and brown style Of
beauty and her connection with the un-
canny fame of the doctress, to whose
trade and it's good will she doubtless
will succeed as forced heir Of her grand
mother"
"Not Laure," laughed Estelle. "Reli-
gion sits too lightly on her. The doc
tress must be duly religious. You must
not speak irreverently Of the doctresss,
Mother Deshautelles, for she is kind to
the Door and suffering and has given
relief to those who could not buy it
from the doctors"
81 speak irre7erently Of nothing that
is honestly meant, however mistaken it
be. and upon your avouching will re-
spect the doctress in the future more
than have done in the past" Oak.
fell concluded he could not safely dis
cuss the peculiar powers attributable
to the old woman. but was loath just
yet to abandon the granddaughter as
topic and added: "Laure was decidedly
a campaigner against US In the suit. |
wonder why she felt so interested"
There is q strange sympathy between
her and NJ. Quillebert. have heard my
grandfather say, and NJ. Qulllebert has
sure control over the persons whom be
takes into friendship. l dread his in
fuence over my poor grandfather and
daily pray God to destroy it. He Is q
wicked man, whose smile is as danger
Gus as his froWn."
Should the supreme court sustain
the judgment in Icons case have rea-
son to believe Quillebert will quit this
parish" Oakfcll said, land then your
grandfather will be released from the
hurtful intimacy"
'eIf the supreme court sustains the
judgmentr' Estelle exclaimed. "Can
you doubt 1t, Mr.. Oakfell?'
1Tboro shoul1 he no doubt vet the