The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-11-16

lAE thrown into contrast With a
rival more fortunate in the es-
timation OF the world. George was
like a sensitive. high spirited dwarf
trying to avoid seeing tall men. The
whole town was going to hear the. gov
errors address the next Sunday; the
whole town was talking Of his aCmira-
ton for the belle of the place. For the
remainder of the week George was IN
certain what he should do, but when
the eventful morning arrived he went
to livery stable, engaged horse and
buggy and drove out to his mothers.
He might have chosen better, for the
sordid surroundings Of the farmhouse,
which had never seemed like home to
him in the highest sense. only made
him feel more depressed.
1.-THE Lord knows I'm astonished to
see you" Mrs. Buckley said as she
came to the door wiping her fat hands
on her apron. Why, all the settle
ment, it seems to me, has gone in town
to see the governor, but somehow I
didn't care to so. I'm too old to ride
ten miles in joltin' wagon to see jest
q man. How do you come on?'
"I:feel all right" George replied. Il
didn't care to hear the speech"
"You say you didn't?" Mrs. Buck
ley's heavy brows ran together. She
stood for a moment eying her son with
sympathetic fxity. She had heard the
rumor Of the governors attentions to
Lydia Cranston. They were now in
the sitting room, and he stood warm
ing himself before the fire.
"Oh, George" she suddenly got out,
.T wish you'd let me talk to you an,
not git mad"
Mad? Why, mother" he exclaimed,
chow could I get mad at you?
The old woman sat down in her low
chair in the chimney corner. "1ou are
my boy" she said, tremor in her gen.
tie voice, ..an' some things hurt-cut
me to the. .quick. On, George, wish
you wouldssort O be content with COM
mon folks like we all are. You are as
good, every bit an grain. as that Vlr-
ginia gal, ;, but somehow she's situated
different Now, fer instance, they say
she's gotta chance, an a good one, to
marry the governor"
'I think she has," George said cold
", his lips tightening, but what OF
that, mother:"
"Oh, it nearly kills me to have folks
think you-you want to get some'n' an
cayn't," replied the old woman plain
lively. AN, George, as things 80 in
this world, Lydia Cranston will have
to take that offer She cayn't git
around it. Gals kin have Their choice,
an'-mind you, I don't know thing
she may, down in her heart, like you
the best on account O. you bein' youn-
ger an better lookin', but folks in her
walk O. life, I reckon, have to sorter
look to the future. Her folks will
! make her, eff she draws back. George.
II hope you don't feel bad about it"
Mother, I'm all right" He sat down
before the fire. He looked out through
the small paned window upon a wide
stretch Of cotton land where he had
toiled through his boyhood. To the
left, inside the garden fence, was the
log Smok kehouSe, the barn and stables;
! to the right, the. yard where the chick
ems and ducks were scratching the
earth for food The old woman said
nothing-there was nothing she could
say, for his reply had not reassured
her.
"Why do you think anything Is wrong
with me?" he suddenly asked. "Has
anybody
You cayn't keep folks mouths shet,"
Mrs. Buckley said. you've got more
friends AN any boy in all this noun
tain country, but even a body's best
friends Will git jealous when he begins
to rise in the world. Most Of 'em
thought you was fyin' too high, George,
all along-in visidn' the best in Oar
ley-an' they are dckled to be able to
circulate the report that she's goin' to
marry the governor Of the state. You
see, they kin say that an not seem to
be takin' agin you, but they are
chucklin' all the same
II can't help their talking nor their
thinking" Buckley said, with sigh.
.But / believe I'd put a bold face
on it an laugh at the idea o. marryln'
ANYBODY right now. Then I'd sorter
slack off from goin' to the Cranstons'.
George, kin stand anything better, 1t
seems to me, than havin' 'em all think
you are miserable over it. an when the
wedding takes place.
'.Then you count on it as certainty,
do you? His face clouded over, and,
in spite Of his self control, his voice
rang harshly.
She stared at him pityingly. "ThaTs
no use talkin' about it." she said soft
". George, you hain't ready to ad-
NIT it, an that's the Wust sign Of all
You Jest cayn't see it like other folks,
an thars Jest one reason fer that
you cayn't stand to think it possible" !"
He voiced no denial. What was the
use? The old woman, crude es she
was, had known him from the first pull
sation Of the life that was now raging
like a mad torrent within him. In his
minds eye he had a glimpse Of the vii
: lage church, packed to the doors with
an eager, expectant crowd he saw
the flowers on the altar. There was a
profound hush. The Cranston carriage
had driven up. The governor Of the
state was assisting two ladies to ahght.
All eyes were on the party Of four as
they came in and moved unconcernedly
to the Cranston pew. Lydia and the
guest Of honor were walking together.
She was being admired, envied-
George Buckley bowed his head; the
red light from the fire touched his
powerful neck and shoulders; he was
sinking into the deepest ooze Of de-
spair.
Mind you, Pm not sayin' one word