The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-05-20

INV q NlW FTER awhile Miss
HV VIII Andrews said:
NETTTSN "You say no. Do
fJlliiI iIllilllll!llH you not % n
tyes?"
John Gordon lifted up his head. The
dusk had deepened, and be could see
only the outline Of her face.
"You have not answered my ques-
tioa, Miss Andrews. Did do her an
injustice when I made it test Of her
feeling that she come down here:
Ought to have asked her to do that?'
sWould it be any harder for her to
live here than for you or for me-oc:'-
she spoke hurriedly-'or for any OF
us?'
"She was bern and has been reared
in great luxury. OF course coming here
would mean q complete change from
all that"
81 do not see how you could lave
asked anything less" the voice came
calmly. ''The woman who loved you
would expect nothing less"
John Gordon did not answer at once.
'Then you think Miss Marsh does not
love me?'
'I did not say that. 1 think she be-
lieves she does"
ssBut do you believe she does"
cit is not fair to ask me' she ex.
claimed, with agitation. Then she laugh
ed in her usual happy manner. excuse
me, Mr.. Gordon. fear I am not CON-
petent to answer all your questions.
The realm Of love is realm Of myste-
rious contradictions. am sure Of only
one thing. The test you made was not
too great. It was the only test possible.
I would warn you, however, as your
senior by-ten years-that you do not
too hastily judge Of your feelings"
"BH supposing," Gordon Went on
nervously-"supposing I had begun to
feel attracted toward
he could not see her face at all now
and could only feel that in some way
what he said was unwelcome. he did
not finish, and in the silence Ford came
into the room and lighted the candles.
Miss Andrews rose and went over to
the table and asked Ford some ques-
ton about the days work, and when
dinner was announced few minutes
later she went out and took her place
at the head of the table as usual. When
John Gordon came out and took his
seat, he saw the placid, earnest face
heightened perhaps In color, but bear
ing the usual quiet seriousness that dis
tnguished her
The talk at table turned upon Tommy
Randall and his plans. 1t was the con-
sensus Of opinion that nothing could be
done except in the way Of enforcing
the building ordinances. And every
body agreed that from past attempts
the probability was very small that
Tommy could ever be convicted.
"For my own satisfaction" said Cor
don after they had discussed every
phase Of the remarkable situation, II
want to see the mayor and have per-
sonal interview with him. Let Us strike
at headquarters.
Miss Andrews smiled sadly. "Mr.
Gordon, youth is always rash" Cor
don colored as il he understood her to
mean it in double sense. But go
and the see the mayor. I've no objec-
tons. Need I say I have seen him sew
eral times to no purpose? Has pard-
san machine any place in Its mechan-
ism for human mercies?"
Gordon felt abashed. II did not mean
to hint that I could do anything. I
simply wanted to put the city govern
ment to the test in plain matter Of
human right and justice. It will be
more for my own satisfaction and e1-
per1ence than anything else"
go your ways. You will get the ex-
perience without fail" answered Miss
Andrews, with look which contained
a depth Of sadness out of her own ex-
perience that haunted Gordon all the
evening.
Nevertheless the next day he went
down to the city hall and asked to see
the mayor After delay Of half an
hour he was admitted As he entered
four men came out Of the room. They
were talking excitedly, and Gordon
could hear the name Julius Cham
bers."
$50 Julius Chambers is making him.
self talked about at headquarters,
Gordon murmured to himself. Il must
know that man"
He was ushered into the mayors Of
fee by the doorkeeper and faced a
slightly built, rather aristocratic look
ing man, carefully dressed. Gordon
had seen him on public occasions, but
had never before met him personally.
"You are the son Of the late Rufus
Gordon, eh? Yes Knew your father
quite well. He was q stanch supporter
Of the party and a man to be depended
upon. Sorry to know Of his financial
losses just before his death
The mayor was q soft, easy spoken
man, with a slight hesitation at the
end Of his sentences that gave listen
er the idea Of mental indecision, not
borne out by his political career.
What can do for you:" he said
suddenly. Gordon was not prepared
for it. The tone was suddenly hard,
brisk, businesslike.
"a good deal, Mr.. Mayor; if you
will"
That's the usual statement, Mr..
Gordon. That's what they all say. OF
course you've come to get something.