The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-11-12

.
=-S spent in the woods or on the
@ mountain sides or down in
the canyon beside the stream that
danced down to meet the Black Rock
river. talking and sketching and read
ing and 0listening and dreaming,
with often q happy smile upon her
face. But there were moments when
a cloud Of shuddering fear would
sweep the smile away, and then l
would talk Of Craig till the smile came
back again.
But the woods and the mountains
and the river were her best, her wis
est, friends during those days. How
sweet the ministry Of the woods to
her! The trees were in their new sum-
mer' leaves, fresh and full Of life.
They swayed and rustled above US,
finging their interlacing shadows upon
US, and their swaying and their rus
ting soothed and comforted like the
voice and touch Of mother. And the
mountains, too, in all the glory Of their
varying robes Of blues and puppies,
stood calmly, solennly, about u.s., up
lifting our souls into regions Of rest.
The changing lights and shadows fit
ted swiftly over their rugged fronts,
but left them ever as before in their
steadfast majesty. Gods in his heav-
en-" What would you have? And ever
the little river sang its cheerful cour-
age, fearing not the great mountains
that threatened to bar its passage to
the sea. Mrs. Mavor heard the song,
and her courage rose.
eve, too, shall find our way" she
said, and I believed her.
But through these days 1 could not
make her out, and I found myself
studying her as might new ac-
ouaintance. Years had fallen from
her. She was a girl again, full Of
young, warm life. She was as sweet
as before, but there was soft shyness
over her, half shamed, half frank
consciousness in her face, a glad light
in her eyes that made her all new to
me. Her perfect trust in Craig was
touching to see.
"He will tell me what to do," she
would say till I began to realize how
impossible it would be for him to be-
tray such trust and be anything but
true to the best.
So much did I dread Craig's home
coming that I sent for Graeme and old
man Nelson, who was more and more
Graeme's trusted counselor and friend.
They were both highly excited by the
story had to tell, for thought it best
to tell them all, but was not little
surprised and disgusted that they did
not see the matter in my light. IN vain
! protested against the madness Of al
lowing anything to send these two from
each other. Graeme summed up the
discussion in his own emphatic way,
but with an earnestness in his words
not usual with him.
Craig will know better than any of
US what is right to do, and he will do
that, and no man can turn him from it,
and" he added, 81 should be sorry to
try"
Then my wrath rose, and cried:
cts tremendous shame! They love
each other. You are talking senti-
mental humbug and nonsense"
"He must do the right" said Nelson
in his deep, quiet voice.
Fright! Nonsense! By what right
does he send from him the woman be
loves"
"sHe pleased not himself" quoted
Nelson reverently.
"Nelson is right. said Graeme. 81
should not like to see him weaken"
Look here" l stormed. Il didn't
bring you men to back him up in his
nonsense. I thought you could keep
your heads level.'
Now, Connor," said Graeme, don't
rage. Leave that for the heathen. It's
bad form and useless besides. Craig
will walk his way where his light falls,
and, by all that's holy, I should hate
to see him fail, for if he weakens like
the rest of US my North star will have
dropped from my sky"
"Nice selfish spirit" muttered.
Entirely so. Pm not saint, but l
feel like steering by one when l see
him."
When, after week had gone, Craig
rode up one early morning to bis shack
door, his face told me that be had
fought his fight and had not been beat
en-. He had ridden all night and was
ready to drop with WEAKNESS.
"Connor, old boy" he said, putting
out his hand, I'm rather played. There
was bad row at the Landing. l have
just closed poor Colley's eyes. 1t was
awful. I must get sleep. Look after
Dandy, will you, like good chap"
"Oh, Dandy be hanged?' I said, for
I knew it was not the fight nor the
watching nor tie long ride that had
shaken his iron nerve and given him
that face. Go in and lie down. III
bring you something"
"Wake me in the afternoon" he said.
''She is waiting. perhaps you Will so
to her" His lips quivered. "My nerve
is rather gone" Then, with very
wan smile, he added, ''T am giving you
a lot Of trouble"
"You so to thunderr' burst out for
my throat was hot and sore with grief
for him.
~ think I'd rather go to Sleep" he re-
piled, still smiling.
I could not speak and was glad Of the
chance Of being alone with Dandy.
When came in, found him sitting
with his head in his arms upon the ta-
BILE fast asleep. I made him tea, forced
him to take q warm bath and sent him
to bed, while went to Mrs. Mavor. l
went with a fearful heart, but that was
because had forgotten the kind Of
woman she was.
She was standing in the light Of the
window waiting for me. Her face was
pale, but steady; there was a proud
ar-ac c1jpht