The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-08

got NY words, forgot my business at
her door, and stood simply looking.
Come in. Bring him in. Please do
not wait" she said and her voice was
sweet and soft and firm.
We laid him in large room at the
back Of the shop over which Mrs. Ma
vor lived. Together we dressed the
wound, her firm white fingers skillful
as if with long training. Before the
dressing was finished I sent Craig off,
for the time had come for the magic
lantern in the church, and 1 knew how
critical the moment was in our fight.
GO" l said. s'He is coming to, and
we do not need YOU"
In few moments more Graeme re-
vived and, gazing about, asked:
"What's all this about"' and then
recollecting, "Ah, that brute Keefe."
Then, seeing my anxious face, he said
carelessly: awful bore, isn't it? Sor-
ry to trouble you, old fellow
You be hanged" I said shortly, for
his old sweet smile was playing about
his lips and was almost too much for
me. Mrs. Mavor and I are in COM
mand, and you must keep perfectly
still"
'Nlrs. Mavor?" he said in surprise.
She came forward. with slight
flush on her face.
| 81 think you know me, Mr.. Graeme."
81 have often seen you and wished to
know you. I am sorry to bring you this
trouble"
You must not say So" she replied,
'but let me do all for you that l can.
And now the doctor says you are to lie
still"
"The doctor? Oh, you mean Connor!
He is hardly there yet. You don't know
each other. Permit me to present Mr..
Connor. Mrs Mavor."
AS she bowed slightly her eyes look
ed into mine with q serious gaze, not
inQuiring, yet searching my soul. AS
looked into her eyes 1 forgot every
thing about me, and when l recalled
myself it seemed as if had been away
in some far place. 1t was not their COL
or Or their brightness. do not yet
know their color, and have often
looked into them, and they were not
bright, but they were clear, and one
could look far down into them and in
their depths see a glowing, steady
light. AS went to get some drugs
from the Black Rock doctor I found
myself wondering about that far down
light and about her voice-how it could
get that sound from far away.
I found the doctor quite drunk, as in
deed Mr.. Craig had warned, but his
drugs were good, and got what l
wanted and quickly returned.
While Graeme slept Mrs. Mavor
made me tea. AS the evening wore on
I told her the events of the day, dwell
ing admiringly upon Craigs general
ship.
She smiled at this.
'He got me, too," she said. "Nixon
was sent to me just before the sports,
and I don't think he will break down
today, and I am so thankful" And her
eyes glowed.
81 am quite sure he won't" I thought
to myself, but I said no word.
After q long pause she went on, Il
have promised Mr.. Craig to sing to-
night if I am needed" and then, after
moments hesitation, 'It is two years
since have been able to sing-two
years." she repeated "since," and then
her brave voice trembled, ''my husband
was killed"
'sI quite understand" said, having
no other word on my tongue.
"And," she went on quietly, 81 fear I
have been selfish. 1t is hard to sing
the same songs. We were very happy.
But the miners like to hear me sing,
and I think perhaps it helps them to
feel less lonely and keeps them from
evil shall try tonight if I am needed.
Mr.. Craig will not ask me unless he
must"
would have seen every miner and
lumberman in the place hideously
drunk before would have asked her
to sing one song while her heart ached.
I wondered at Craig and said rather
angrily:
"He thinks only of those wretched
miners and shanty men Of his"
OF n
eyes and said gently:
"And are they not Christs too:"
And I found no word to reply.
It was nearing 10 O'Clock and I was
wondering how the fight was going on
and hoping that Mrs. Mavor would not
be needed when the door opened and
old man Nelson and Sandy, the latter
much battered and ashamed, came in
with the word for Mrs. Mavor.
s'I will come" she said simply. She
saw me preparing to accompany her
and asked, do you think you can
leave him?'
"He will do quite we'll in Nelson's
care"
'"Then I am glad, for must take my
little one With me. I did not put her to
bed in case I should need to go, and I
may not leave her"
We entered the church by the back
door and saw at once that even yet the
battle might easily be lost.
Some miners had just come from
Slavin's, evidently bent on breaking
Up the meeting in revenge for the COL
lapse Of the dance, which Slayin was
unable TO enjoy, much less direct.
Craig was gallantly holding his ground,
finding it hard work to keep his men
in GOOD humor and so prevent q fight,