The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-05-27

lie VIII HOL GIL = " ste uS, Luc4IGa
spoke as if to herself, ana Miss An
drews did not reply to her.
When they reached the house, Luella
was so aSitated that she asked to be
left alone in the library a little while.
When she came to Miss Andrews and
told her she was ready, Miss Andrews
could not avoid almost a feeling Of pity
for her.
as he very ill., Luella asked.
You must be prepared for & great
change in him." Miss Anlrews said.
When she reached Gordon's room,
Ford came to the door. He had been
nursing Gordon. When Luella entered,
Ford and Miss Andrews went out and
knew that as they left the roona Luella
had kneeled ut the side Of the bed and
put her lips on John Gordon's hand.
She was not prepared for the sight Of
such 4 change IN so short {. time. But
Gordon had thrown himself into the
problem Of Hope House from the first
day of his residence with a whole
souled abandon that had told tremen-
dously on his vitality. The daily strain
cn his synpathies, the apparent hope
lessness Of the effort to remove causes,
the unceasing call on heart: and mind,
had burned like a fever in his life, and
when the city campaign came on he
was not at all prepared fer its inces-
SAINT demand on physical and mental
resources. Nevertheless he had flung
all caution aside night after night, even
when he felt growing on him the wea-
riness that, like a leaden weight, hung
on heart and brain. The collapse came
inevitably, and his condition was crit
icaI. It was the old story of driving
the machine beyond its powers and
without sufficient care for the delicate
mechanism OF nerves and heart and
tissues.
..John," said Luella as she kneeled
there. and he felt tear fall on the
hand she held, you do not doubt my
love for you, do you? Why did you not
send for me yourself?"
You arc here, Luella. That is all 1
want"
He spoke with great effort. lie was
conscious Of weakness that made him
cling to any strong nature like drown
ing man. His whole interview with
Luella must be interpreted in the light
of that weakness. His mind was feel
ing vaguely for relief from dark,
hopeless falling down into some un-
rcachabIe place where Luella could not
corae. he had not strength even to re-
turn the clasp Of her cold fingers, and
she was terrified as she saw his help
lessness and thought he raight pass
sway even during the brief time she
felt she ought to be there with him.
Promise me, Luella, that you Will
will-be my wife. Let US give ourselves
to the cause Of childhood se.ferins-in
these-these-awful places
"Oh. I promise; yes, yes, John! Dear,
I will come here and live anywhere
anywhere-ie you will not die
She clung to his hand, and be smiled.
"Will you live with me here, Luella-
here in Hope House
Eyes! Yes! For do love you; do
love you, John!' she cried, sobbIng,
and he lay so still, so exhausted with
his effort, that she rose at once and, 60
ing to the door, called for Miss An
drews md Ford to come, thinking be
had fallen into the sleep that knows
no waking. But when they came they
saw a smile on his face and look Of
peace there that was more hopeful,
Ford said, than anything yet recorded.
Even as they all three stood by him
he opened his eyes and whispered:
"Wtll you kiss me, Lue]la? I am
happy
She leaned over and kissed his lips,
and there was q look on her face
which neither Miss Andrews nor Ford
understood until after events made it
clear.
She went back into the library and
sat there for some time, creading to
have news brought her that he had
sunk into death. But Ford came in
after awhile and said he was asleep,
and, while at the furthest degree Of
mental and heart exhaustion, there<was
q fighting chance.
So Luella went home and the next
few weeks she passed in suspense Of
feeling that left with her an expert
ence impossible to describe. Every day
she either went to Hope House or heard
from there. When she went herself, she
did not ask to see him. The ielirium Of
brain fever was on him, and he knew
no one, not even Ford. Luella shrank
from going into the room. Once she
looked in through the open door. Then
she passed along back into The library,
and tears ran down her face as she
went and sat down near the large Win
dow overlooking the scene OF the fire.
Miss Andrews came in and found her
looking out at the place. Most Of the
rubbish had been removed, and half 4
dozen saloons had gone up en- as many
corners. Tommy Randalrs double
decker was unfinished, and its incom-
plete condition added to the general
dreary hideousness Of the prospect.
Luella shuddered at it all.
rs there any prospect Of getting this
property for Your proposed park?' she
asked IS Miss Andrews came over by
the window.
Eve do not know yet. You have
heard the news Of Randal's conviction
In the court Of special pleas? Mr..
Chambers succeeded in furnishing
proof of conspiracy, and it looks very
much as If Randalls day was over.
The election next week Will decide his
fate. 1t looks now as if the present ad-
uiuistration would be defeated, and the
Reform party elect full ticket. In
that case the boss will have to so. He
has already disposed Of several lots
around the double decker, and it looks
very much as if he was getting ready
to leave the city if the election goes