The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-12-21
CHAPTER NV II.


@HTCKI.E..t. hardly knew where he
V went. but s"on found himself
sks again u2al. The executive man
sion. III" G!prrimcnt was at
its height. .li::;i,: of meeting some one
who would r2..~-::iZc Eii2. he walked
on RAPIDLY. I!c wanted 10 be III
motion. 1t WAS thc only thing that
seemed TO deaGcn ti.c agony IN his
breast. One mo:acnt lie would clinch
his hands ana Stit.c :, gruan OF pain as
he thought Of I-yt!ia's social triumph
and her nearness TO the man he de-
spised and yet dreaded, and he would
pause and look Up at the sky as II
trying to read there 4 reason for his
misery. He was again passing the
Dunleigh house and WAS about to re-
trace his steps 10 his hotel when ne
heard the sound Of an approaching car
riage. He believed it to be the Dun
leishs' and darted into the grounds
and back to his former hiding place.
He was right.
The approaching vehicle turned in at
the gate and was rapidly curving to-
ward the veranda when George noticed
that one Of the rear wheels was COM
ing off. His heart was in his mouth.
He wanted to give the driver warning,
but It was too late. The wheel was
of. The carriage lurched to one side.
There was chorus Of muf1ed screams
from within, and, to make matters
worse, the horses took fright and be-
gan to rear and plunge. With no
thought as to the incongruity Of his
presence there at such moment
Buckley darted from his place Of con-
cealment and ran to the aid Of the Ia
dies, who were loudly calling for help
and trying to break the heavy plate
glass windows. Buckley followed the
jolting. carriage along the drive and
finally succeeded in jerking the door
open Just rs the coachman drew his
horses to stand in the light at the
steps. George helped the ladies out.
"Why, it's Mr.. Buckley exclaimed
Mrs. Cranston, in grateful astonish-
ment. It was q most awkward mo-
ment. Buckley could only bow, his hat
in hand and pale to the lips. Miss
Cosby gave him knowing look as she
extended her gloved hand.
'It was good of you," she said.
Mrs. Dunieigh seemed so much eS-
cited over what had happened that she
took no notice Of Buckley nor seemed
to remark on the oddly Of his sudden
appearance at such an opportune mo-
ment. The coachman unhitched the
horses from the carriage and led them
away. leaving George in the center OF
the cluster Of ladies. Kitty Cosby ln-
troduced him to Mrs. Dunleigh, but
that lady simply bowed and continued
her nervous exc!amations Of horror at
the catastrophe Il thought we We're
being hurled into eternity
In our reception gowns, laughed Kit
II, who was calmness itself. "Pshaw!
Mrs. Dunleigh, knew the old thing
would simply drag and bump along till
Harrison stopped the horses, but do
believe you and Mrs. Cranston would
have crushed the life out Of Lydia and
myself"
s'Well, I'm glad it was no worse" de
c!ared Mrs. Dunleigh. Come on IN.
You'll all catch your deaths out here
in those thin dresses"
Lydia and George ascended the steps
last, and she paused with him mo-
ment alone on the veranda. She had
not spoken.
II have simply no explanation to.
make" he said eying her contritely.
Explanation" she said. why should
there be one?"
Gas soon as their excitement is over"
he reminded her, "they will wonder
how I happened to be up here in the
grounds at this time Of night
"Oh." She raised her eyes to his in
a startled expression.
But you may know" he went on
Hyou may know that it was simply be-