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

doing the other thing. It's rather too
stagy-too romantic don't you think?"
"Well, I really don't know what we
are going to do with LYDIA" sighed
Mrs. Cranston. "She didn't seem to
enjoy herself bit tonight. Just think
Of It. Why, I could hear whispering
all over the rooms, Where Is she? Is
that her? My, amt she pretty! They
say that necklace has been in her
family for 200 years. Have you
been introduced? And yet the object
Of 1t ali sat on divan half the even
ing talking to a married Presbyterian
minister, who didn't even have on an
evening suit
Really. I was proud Of her." de-
clared Mrs. Dunleigh. "She's just q
pure, sweet, unspoiled girl, and every
body knew it by her modest, shrinking
manner. That's why she created such
q furore, and why Governor Telfare
is such q fool about her. When she
declined to 80 out to supper with him
and in such Il sweet, natural way Sug-
gested that he take you instead, was
afraid he might be offended, but he
took it beautifully, and-well, it did
look better. She wasn't going to put
herself in such q conspicuous position
Il she could avoid 1t, and, on the whole,
think she was right"
"Well, I'm going to bed" said Kitty.
"You two hens can stay of the roost
and cackle all night If you like, but I'm
sleepy"
-''She's an original creature" said
Mrs. Dunleigh, when Kitty had left
them. Il wish you'd share her with
me-
"Shes that way all the time" said
Mrs. Cranstoo. almost toe independ-
ent to be favorite with men, but wom-
en- adore her She's very exacting-
wants men to be more perfect than
they are. I really think she admires
George Buckley, and she won't help
me with Lydia Bit
When Kitty returned to Lydia she
found her In bed, the gas burning low,
her face to the wall. Kitty disrobed
noiselesslv and got into bed. She lay
still for a moment, then she said sud-
denly:
Look here, are you-well, I declare
you are crying"'
There was no response. Kitty was
quiet for several minutes, then she
rose. "In the excitement Of 1t ALL
she said, II forgot to say my prayers.
I'd better get it done. Those two wom-
en- fell into my trap with dull thud
Just now. I'll tell you about 1t In the
morning"
Lydia still made no sound nor move
ment to indicate that she was awake,
but Kitty knew she was. Kitty knelt
at the bedside for several minutes; then
she rose with sigh. and got back
under the covers. "If it will do you
any good,'' she said, "I'll tell you I've
been praying about this thing. l don't
believe God pays the least attention to
people who pray about wet weather In
dry season or dry weather in wet, but
somehow I believe he listens when you
call his attention to real downright
heart suffering. I told him I was at
the end Of my rope and that he ought
to try to help you and George out OF
the mess you are in. You are both TOO
good and sweet and noble to-, There
was q sudden catch In Kitty's voice,
and sob struggled into her throat and
shook her from head to foot.
"Now, what's the matter wltzgou"
Lydia suddenly exclaimed, and she
turned over and put her arms about
her friend. Don't, don't, Kitty" Then
they cried silently together until they
fell asleep.