The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-11-05
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CONTINUED
IS anxious for 4 change, so 1 have de-
termined to stay where I am yet
awhile
Even my deep disgust and disappoint-
ment did not prevent NE from seeing
the sudden leap Of JOY in Mrs. Mavor's
eyes, but she, with i great effort, an
swered quietly:
Black Rock will be very glad and
some of US very, very glad
Nothing could change his mind. There
was no one he knew who could take
his place just now, and why should he
cult his work? 1t annoyed me consid-
eraDly to feel he was right. Why is it
that the right things are so frequently
unpleasant?
And if had had any doubt about the
matter next Sabbath evening would
have removed it, for the men came
about him after the service and let
him feel in their own way how much
they approved his decision, though the
self sacrifice involved did not appeal to
them. They were too truly western to
imagine that any inducements the east
could offer could compensate for his
loss of the west. 1t was only fitting
that the west should have the best,
and so the miners took almost as mat
ter of course and certainly as their
right that the best man they knew
should stay with them. But there were
those who knew how much Of what
most men consider worth while he had
given up, and they loved him no less
for it.
Mrs. MAYORS call was not so easily
disnosed Of. It came close upon the
other and stirred Black Rock as moth
ing else had ever stirred it before.
I found her one afternoon gazing va
cantly at some legal documents spread
out before her on the table and eyi-
dently overcome by their contents.
There was first lawyers letter in
forming her that by the death Of her
husbands father she had come into
the whole Of the Mavor estates and all
the wealth pertaining thereto. The
letter asked for instructions and urged
an immediate return with view to a
personal superintendent Of the es-
tates. 4 letter, too, from distant
cousin Of her husband urged her imme-
rno
chiefly on account Of the old mother,
who had been left alone, with none
nearer Of kin than himself to care for
her and cheer her old age.
With these two came another letter
from her mother-in-law herself. The
grabbed, trembling characters We're
even more eloquent than the words
with which the letter closed:
''I have lost my boy, and now my
husband is gone, and I am lonely wo-
man. I have many servants and some
friends, but none near to me, none so
near and dear as my dead sons wife.
Ny days are not to be many. Come to
me, my daughter. I want you and
Lewis child"
Must I go?' she asked, with white
lips.
"Do you know her well?" asked.
'I saw her only once or twice." she
answered, "but she has been very good
to me-"
"She can hardly need you. She has
friends. And surely you are needed
here"
She looked at me eagerly.
"Do you think so?" she said.
"Ask any man in the camp-ShaW,
Nixon, young Winton, Geordie. Ask
Craig" I replied.
Eyes, he will tell me-" she said.
Even as she spoke Craig came up the
steps. I passed into my studio and
went on with my work, for my days at
Black Rock were getting few, and
many sketches remained to be filed in.
Through my open door saw Mrs
Mavor lay her letters before Mr.. Craig,
saying, "I have q call too" They
thought not Of me-
He went through the papers, careful
II laying them down without q word
while she waited anxiously, almost i'm
patiently, for him to speak.
"Well," she asked, using his own
words to her, should go?''
81 do not know" he replied. "That
is for you to decide. You know all the
circumstances"
The letters tell ALL
Her tone carried a feeling Of disap-
pointment. He did not appear to care.
THE estates are large" he asked.
Yes, large erough-twelve thousand
a year."
"And has your mother-in-law any
one with her."
"She has friends. but, as she says,
none near Of kin. Her nephew looks
after the works-iron works, you know.
He has shares in them"
"She is evidently very lonely" he an
swered gravely.
What shall I do:'' she asked, and I
knew she was waiting to hear him
urge her to stay, but he did not see or
at least gave no heed.
Il cannot say" he repeated quietly.
"There are many things to consider.
The estates"-
The estates seem to trouble you,"
she replied almost fretfully.
He looked up in surprise. wonder
eG at his SlOWneSS.
"yes, the estates" he went on, "and
tenants, suppose; your mother-in-law,
your little Marjories future, your own
future"
"The estates are in capable hands, I
should suppose" she urged, "and my
future depends upon what choose my
work to be-
"But one cannot shift ones RESPONSE
bilities," he replied gravely. 'These
estates, these tenants, have come to
you, and with them come duties"
81 do not want them!' she cried.
THAT life has great possibilities OF