The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-04-29
out over tie burned district

out over tie burned district.
excuse me- am, Of course, sps-.
cially interested In our plans at pres
ent Mr.. Gordon, with some OF the
residents, has been looking over the
ground with reference to our new
park. You have heard Of our recent
good fortune? we are living in high
state of excitement down here. a
friend has given US 100000, and we
are trying to see how much fun we can
have in spending it. If you Will come
here, can point out our proposed pian'
or would you like to so out there! we
can look over the house when we come
back"
1--WE shah be interested to go outside
and look over the plan there, Mrs.
Penrose assented, and they all passed
out ard walked slowly down toward
the group Of men who were at the END
Of the street, opposite the bleck that
had been the last to burn. as they
drew nearer one Of the men, lett the
group and came down toward them.
It was John Gordon, and even at that
distance it was very evident that ne
was unusually reused about something.
he was so absorbed in the matter
| that was exciting him that when ne
met Miss Andrews with her visitors
for the first moment he spoke to her as
If be did not recognize the others.
"That scoundrel, Tommy Randall,
Miss Andrews! Do you know what he
has succeeded in doing?"
He had said that much when he real
lied who the visitors were. But even
then the passion Of the information he
had come to give Miss Andrews was SO
strong that be simply bowed to Mrs.
Penrose and Luella as if he were In the
! habit Of meeting them every day In
Bowen street, and nodded to Penrose,
as if Penrose was familiar sight IN
the neighborhood OF Hope House.
| "What has Tommy Randall done
| now? Miss Andrews questioned, with
| faint smile. Tommy Randall does
the heavy tragedy in Ward lS'" she
said to Mrs. Penrose.
Randall has bought up lots all over
this burnt district. he has closed con-
tracts for half a dozen double deckers
like the one Mr. Marsh had put up, u
John Gordon continued, entirely un-
mindful Of Luella, or, at least, careless
Of the effect Of what he said upon her.
"He has worked all this time we have
been discussing the park plan. But
how could we do anything" Gordon
spoke in despair, addressing Miss An
| drews as if no one else were present
eve only had the money to purchase
anything last night. We never dreamed
| that anything would get In the way Of
cur purchase Of at least half the area.
Randall has secured his lots all over
the district If be puts up those dou-
bic deckers, ne ought to be arrested for
murder. That is what the buildings
| result in"
| Luella flushed and then Gefantly
looked at Gordon as he unconsciously
said the last words looking at her. The
expression on her face smote John Cor
don into sudden realization Of all his
surroundings. Miss andrews stood
quietly gazing over the dreary pile OF
rubbish. A man left the group at the
point where Gordon had been standing
and came walking deliberately toward
| them.
'It's Tommy Randall. If he attempts
to insult you, Miss Andrews
AS he spoke Gordon laid his finger
| for a second on Miss s>Andrews' arm.
He was standing close by her, and the
movement was perfectly natural. Lu-
ella noticed it and was also quick to
note the color in Miss Andrews face as
she moved a little away from Gordon
and said:
'He will not insult me-"
sI almost wish he would insult some
one so that I could have some excuse
for knocking him down." Gordon an
swered. Neither Miss Andrews nor
Luella had ever seen him SO angry.
Mrs. Penrose watched al this with
cleaning eyes. It had become exceed.
insly interesting to her. Archie was ,
divided between his disgust at the hor-
rible surroundings and his wonder at
what would be the result Of the en-
counter between Randall and Miss
Andrews. Luelia had no thought for
anything except that movement which
John Gordon had made as if to protect
Miss Andrews. And all Of them faced
the man as he came up, entirely igno-
rant Of his purpose in seeking an inter
view, but two OF them at least fully
aware that, whatever it was, 1t con-
cealed some evil, and one Of them pray
ing in her great, strong heart for some
way OF deliverance, that her love for:
the children Of her desolate parish
might find expression before Gods
sunlight and flowers closed to some OF
them on this earth forever.
| fro RE CONTINUED.