The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-03-11

NJ I'M Y John Gordon asked
z MLZZllIM } the question grave
S-N<l@ ly, but his look did
cot Setray any anxiety yet. He had
been talking to LUella Marsh for sew
eral minutes. His face also was grave,
almost solen1ly so, but there was
growing expression Of uneasiness upon
It as she turned her head toward her
lover.
81 think so-yes," she said slowly.
In other words, you mean no." said
John Gordon, smiling slowly.
Luella Marsh returned the smile and
then became instantly grave again.
81 would ike to ask you a few more
questions. May I?'
"Cf course"
Then I don't know that I am quite
clear in my mind as to your exact res
sons fer leaving your own home. VIII
you try to make me understand that"
''Luella"- He paused, and for the
first time q fear grew upon him that
he was going to fail to make her un-
derstand the real crisis In his life.
Was this the attitude Of the woman
who could prove to be the companion
he would need? Would she hesitate
and demand all these proofs and rea-
sons, all these explanations? And yet
be felt the need Of her. She had thus
far satisfied him, and as he faced her
ROW there was only one prayer in his
heart, and that was that she would
finally cast u her lot with his and say:
'EWhere thou gcest will go Thy peo-
pie shall be my people and thy God
my God"
he began his explanation while Lu-
ella leaned her chin on her hand and
watched him with deepening serious
ness.
81 am thirty years old. From the
tine Of my birth T have been used to
every luxury. I have enjoyed all the
elegant comforts Of rich, exclusive,
proud family. Ny fathers ambition,
as you know, has always been the am
bition Of q man who has lived life
as remote from the common people as
if he had been born in some other
world. T have grown up in this at
mosphere. have known as little Of
the people and their real life as my
father. Up to the time Of my religious
experience I cared as little for the peo-
ple as knew about them. Since that
experience my whole object II living
has changed I find myself longing to
know the people as much as I already
love them It is not enough that /
love them at a distance. must know
from close personal experience their
daily life. AS near as possible I must
partake Of their sorrows, their priva-
tons, their misery. Do not answer
me yet" John Gordon eagerly re-
strained q movement or Luella's part
to interrupt with q word. "Why should
I not do this. who have all my life
tasted the luxury Of soft and easy
physical living? There IS only one
thing for ne to do if accomplish my
ufes ambition now. and that is to
leave the surroundings that are so
completely opposed to all the life Of
the people I have come 10 love IN order
that I may know, if possible, as well
as love, with Intelligent power to help
''And you ask me to leave my home
as you leave yours"
She Gid not look at him while asking
the question, but in the silence that
followed before be replied she turned
her face full toward him. His answer
came very calmly, but his voice in
spite Of him trembled little.
'The woman who becomes my wife
will make her home with me. We shall
share alike whatever the future con-
tains"
It was perhaps at this moment that
Luella Marsh had her first glimpse
into John Gordon's real character. She
had never given him credit for mach
imagination or poetic feeling. In real
ity he had a great deal Of both. But
she did not change her position of Sc
rious thoughtfulness. She only turned
her head little as she said:
s.Nhere 90 you intend to make your
home? VIII you tell me in detail:"
"I- have not fully decided; probably
in Hope House
..And you expect me to live with you
there?'
"If you marry me, yes" John Cor
don spoke with effort His fear had
grown with every word she uttered,
with every new question she put to
him.
81 will never she began and rose
tc, her feet Gordon rose instantly.
"Wait a moment She sat down and
motioned him to be seated. Wait. l
want to think awhile"
She put her hands over her face, and
John Gordon watched and waited. His
heart was hungry for her love, but his
soul tremhled for what he thought was
to be her decision AS the minutes
went By and she still made no motion
his conviction deepeneG that his knowl-
edge of her char2 cter and motives was
superficial All that lie really knew
was to some degree the strength Of her
personality. He knew she could not be
moved by pleading. If she would not
90 with him out Of love that pleaded
i+s ov,, cause. John Gordon knew that