The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-04-22

sity. Jonn stood chatting with her
awhile, and was still talking with her
when dinner was announced He took
her out, in obedience to nod from
Mrs. Penrose, and when once at table
be looked, quietly enough outWardly,
but with inward tumult at the guests,
and noted Luella seated by young Pen
rose at the farther end, but facing Cor
don, while Penrose was almost wholly
obscured by Gordon's right hand neigh
Dor.
The dinner proceeded as usual with
such dinners, only the gifted art Of
being all things to all guests that Mrs.
.Penrose possessed in such large de-
gree saving the occasion from the in
suferable dullness Of many similar
gatherings. A seven course dinner IN
q rich woman,s house may and often
does afford as much real misery to the
assembled company as can well be
packed into a bad hour and half.
With Mrs. Penrose as hostess affairs
went on with more brilliancy. It is one
thing to talk yourself, and another to
get other people to talk. The latter
gift, allied to species Of social genius,
Mrs. Penrose possessed, and the din
ner was progressing finely. seasoned
with just that right degree Of converse
tional interest which at times included
every one at the table and then broke
up into little groups Of talk between
two or four.
John Gordon talked with Miss Grams
ton on a variety Of topics, but did not
introduce any mention Of his oTn
work. Mrs. Penrose, who sat at his
right, once or twice alluded to Cor
don's residence at Hope House. out ne
answered briefly and ct occs reverted
to something else Evidently he did
not intend to be drawn into any dis
cussion or description Of his work.
Mrs. Penrose was too shrewd as well
as too courteous to insist IN asking
questions she plainly saw were not
agreeable.
every well, she said good naturedly.
GAS the lion Of the occasion, If you Will
not roar In the presence Of this au-
dience will you favor me some time
with what I am dying to know? It is
not idle curiosity" she added in a
lower tone. II really am interested in
your plans. / want to help"
Gordon looked up at her quickly.
The thought Of what this woman, with
her wealth and social influence, might
do if she would to bring life and light
into the dead, dark places Of the city
kindled his imagination. 1t was an
other ray Of hope to place alongside
Mrs. Ehngham's letters.
THANK you," he said gratefully. Il
will come and talk it over with you"
AS he finished and turned his face
again toward Miss Cranoton he en-
countered Luella's glance. She in
stantly looked down Once again, to-
ward the close of the dinner, Gordon
intercepted her look as it swept past
all the guests and stayed just mo-
ment with him.
Just how it all happened John Cor
don never knew The last course had
been served. There was the inevitable
settling back Of people who had sue
cessfully observed one Of the rites OF
polite society and were ready to enjoy
the programme Of the evening N an
other stereotyped direction.
The voice Of Archie Penrose rose
over the well modulated conversation:
'Its dangerous move for any one
to make, + think, professor. The
classes are too much at war now. All
these anarchists ought to be hunted
out Of society like wild beasts. She
is encouraging anarchy when she en-
courages those people to discuss their
views"
"Miss Andrews"-the bland voice OF
Professor Emory smote John Gordon
like q blow-"is not encouraging an
archy, Mr.. Penrose. You do not un-
derstand the exact situation. The men
she invites into Hope House to discuss
government may be mistaken as to
many theories Of government but the
free speech that Miss Andrews encour-
nges among them Is not dangerous to
society. AS I understand It, she dis
courages all expressions Of violence
and is really doing good service to the
city in educating a group Of men who
might be dangerous into good citizens"
"Rless you, professor John Gordon
said to himself. '.You are formal,
pedantic, heartless, professional soci-
ologist, with no more real knowledge
Of the humanity you are writing about
than a mummy, but I'll forgive ali
that for what you have just said You
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