The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-04-01

tears rOlIeQ down his cheeks. DdFlu
Barton was the dearest friend he had.
The two were ten years apart in age,
but from the time when they first met
they had been instantly drawn to-
gether and had begun to love each
other.
It was after II o'clock, and yet Cor
don hesitated to go to bed. He almost
feared that Barton would never wake
up, the pallor Of his face, the attitude
of the body, were so suggestive Of the
great change.
He was still sitting there, his cheeks
still wet with the tears that he did not
try to repress, when Williams came in
softly on tiptoe.
"There's queer old lady outside,
Mr.. Gordon, says she wants to see MIR.
Barton, If it amt too late. She's a
mighty queer looking specimen. She
won't so away, and l thought maybe
you'd 90 and see her"
Barton is asleep now. He can't be
wakened Ask the lady to come Into
the hail."
Gordon went out, drawing the cur
tains between the first room and the
wide hallway, and met in the hall the
visitor, who was promptly ushered In
by Williams.
She was dressed in remarkably old
fashioned style that struck John Cor
don as exceedingly interesting rather
than grotesque. She was very old, at
least ninety, but straight and yigor-
Gus. Her keen blue eyes looked search
ingly at John Gordon, and she spoke
in a sharp but remarkably clear voice
care you Alr. Barton?'
"No, madam. I am his friend, Mr..
Gordon. Mr.. Barton is asleep and
not we'll. What can I do for you?
VIII you be seated?"
I'm q moment, SIR" She placed up
on the floor a faded old carpetbag,
took a handkerchief out Of her pocket,
carefully busted one Of the ball
seats and then sat down. AS she
took out the handkerchief delicate
aroma was waited to John Gordon.
It reminded him Of the fragrance
be remembered once while visiting the
East India Marine museum at Salem,
Mass, when the attendant opened an
old sea chest lined with cedar and
packed with silk shawls.
John Gordon was now thoroughly
awake. The sharp eyes looked at him
kindly.
II am exceedingly sorry to hear that
MI. Barton is i'll very much wished
to see him. First I must be pardoned
for calling at this unreasonable hour.
But I had the address and saw the
light and knew that newspaper men
kept queer hours. I have called at
the Office Of the paper and was told
Mr.. Barton was at his apartments. i
must go on my journey tonight
John Gordon had not the remotest
inkling as to the old iady's errand- She
was evidently a person Of great refine
ment and culture.
Glow much Of friend are you to
Mr.. Bartonw
The question was so direct and frank
that Gordon smiled.
81 am his dearest friend.''
"Man or womanT' the old lady asked,
with a twinkle Of the eyes that made
John Gordon smile again.
"My friend has never had any love
affair. He is e confirmed bachelor
'.Ah, don't deceive yourself, young
man. I am old enough to be your
grandmother, your great-grandmother
almost, and have seen great deal OF
the world But, pardon me; must tell
you what came for.''
She put her hand into a little bag
that hung from a silk cord tied about
her wrist. AS she opened the bag the
same delicate aroma penetrated the
hall again.
She handed a card to Gordon. he
took it and read:
"Irs. Captain George Ehngham, Sa-
lem"
"Well?' Gordon said.
II am Captain Ef1ngham's widow.
Ny great-grandson was born on the
day Captain Ehngham died. His name
was Clark bingham. BE ran away to
sea when he was sixteen Since then
I have heard nothing Of him until a
week ago had q letter from him
dated Colorado Springs. He was con-
sumptive, but is getting better. I am
on my way to see him."
She paused, and John Gordon, still in
the dark as to the object Of he1 call on
Barton, said:
"Wellw
"You said you were Mr.. Barton's
nearest friend? How much Of his real
life do you know?"
Gordon was thoroughly surprised.
For the first time he looked suspicious
II and even doubtfully at the osd lady.
II know him well. There IS not a
kinder, purer, truer soul in this city
than David Barton"
''I believe .you," the old lady nodded
vigorously. But I know more about
him than you do Listen! One night
six months ago young man, penniless,
homeless, alone in this great city, was
walking it's streets in q cold, penetrat-
ing rain. An east wind blew off the
water. The young man was proud He
would not write bis relatives for help.
He was afraid to let his aristocratc
grandmother know that he had drifted
of the sea, into one kind Of Tagabond
life after another, until he was on the
Verge Of starvation and crime IN q
great, merciless city.
"Cut in the night, that night, this
lad stumbled against your friend Mr.
Barton. He gave him shelter and food.
Then be sent him out to Colorado be-
fore it was too late. Then Gordon
was crying. The old lady had some
thing in her sharp eyes that glittered
brighter than the eyes.
''Then this lad discovered secret.
The Efirghams always were quick.
He found out that he was not the only