The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-11-05

With gentle courtesy, anu, turning 10
the mother, Your little one is safe"
Behind Father Goulet came Nixon
softly and gaZed down upon the little
quiet face, beautiful with the magic Of
death. Slavin came quietly and stood
beside him. Nixon turned and offered
his hand, but Slavin. moving slowly
back, said:
81 did you wrong, Nixon, and it's
sorry man am this day for it."
Don't say a word, Slavin," answer
ed Nixon hurriedly Il know how you
feel I've got baby too. want to
see it again That's why the break
hurt me So"
"As Gods above" replied Slavin ear
nestly, I'll hinder you no more"
They shook hands. and we passed
out
We laid the baby under the pines,
not far from Billy Breen, and the sweet
spring wind blew through the gap and
came softly down the valley, whisper
ing to the pines and the grass and the
hiding flowers Of the new life coming
to the world And the mother must
have heard the whisper in her heart,
for as the priest was saying the words
Of the service she stood with Mrs. Ma
vor's arms about her, and her eyes
were looking far away beyond the pur-
pie mountain tops, seeing what made
her smile. And Sla7in, too, looked diff
ferent. His very features seemed finer.
The coarseness was gone out Of his
face. What had come to him I could
not tell
But when the doctor came into Sla-
wins house that night it was the old
Slavin l saw, but with look of such
deadly fury on his face that I tried to
get the doctor out at once But he was
half drunk, and his manner was hid
eously humorous.
How do, ladies? How do, gentle
men?' was his loud voiced salutation.
"Quite a professional gathering, clergy
predominating. Lion and lamb too!
Ha, ha! Which is the lamb, eh? Ha,
ha! Very good Awfully sorry to
hear of your loss. Mrs. Slavin. Did
our best, you know: can't help this sort
Of thing"
Before any one could move Craig
was at his side and, saying in q clear,
firm voice, zone moment, DOCTOR"
caught him by the arm and had him
out Of the room before he knew it.
Slavin, who had been crouching in
his chair with hands twitching and
eyes glaring, rose and followed, still
crouching as he walked.
hurried after him. calling him back.
Turning ct my voice, the doctor saw
Slavin approac ching. There was some
thing so terrifying in his swift, noise
less, crouching motion that the doctor,
crying out in fear, Keep him OFF,
fairly turned and fed.
he was too late. Like tiger Slavin
leaped upon him and without waiting
to strike had him by the throat with
both hands and, bearing him to the
ground, worried him there as dog
might cat
Immediately Craig and 1 were upon
him; but, though we lifted him clear
off the ground, we could not loosen
that two handed strangling grip. AS
we were struggling there a light hand
touched my shoulder. It was Father
Goulet-
please let him so and stand away
from u.s." he said, waving US back.
We obeyed.
He leaned over Slavin and spoke a
few words to him.
Sla7in started as if struck a heavy
blow, looked up at the priest with fear
in his face, but still keeping his grip.
"Let him CO." said the priest.
Slayin hesitated.
"Let him go! Quickr' said the priest
again, and Slavin, with a snarl, let go
his hold and stood sullenly facing the
priest.
Father Goulet regarded him steadily
for some seconds and then asked:
."What would you do?'
His voice was gentle enough, even
sweet, but there was something in it
that chilled my marrow.
What would you do?' he repeated
"Hc murdered my child" groWled
Slayin.
"Ah! Howw
-"He was drunk and poisoned him."
"Ah! Who gave him drink? Who
made him drunkard two years ago?
Who has wrecked his ife?
There was no answer, and the even
toned voice went relentlessly on.