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

! k1tler begged me 10 permit luis ell-
/ tertainment, to accept Mrs. Dunleigh's
invitation I refused at first, George;
on my honor I did. but father IS in g
critical condition. The doctor told me
not to worry him in the slightest, and
! he had set his heart on this affair to-
night. The poor man loves such
things with all his soul, and be thinks
, Governor Telfare a great man. He
! actually broke down and cried when
I refused: it was pitiful to see his old
gray head shaking with sobs over what
he considered base ingratitude. Be-
sides. Kitty was included in the in
yitation. She is my guest and any
natural girl would ike to go to such
an affair, and mamma urged it. Oh,
George, do pity me. Don't-don't think
: I'm like the rest Of the world, for I'm
not. I hunger for better things, higher
! things, but in this case I really don't
! know What to do
''Then''-he took deep breath, as II
trying to fortify himself against a
coming blow-'then you are engaged
! to Telfare:'
:'No; I am not, George. Don't-don't
question me so closely. 1 am not hap
py. r
But he looks upon this affair to-
night as favorable to his suit. Is that
not true:"
HE may, George, but I really don't
know what to do"
Buckley was as pale as corpse. He
brushed his brow with Quiver1ng
hand.
"God knows I have nothing to offer
you" he said in low tone. "And 1t
was wrong for me to thrust myself on
you as I have Gone tonight. Your
friends will laugh at me for my des-
peration, but I don't care. Goodby.
7 shall never trouble you again"
! "Oh, George"-but he had turned and
was walking away in the darkness.
She stifed a groan of pain, and then
went into the house. She saw her
mother and Mrs. Dunleigh in the draw
ing room under the prismatic chande-
! her in close conversation, but she pass
| ed on and ascended the stairs to the
room assigned to herself and Kitty.
The latter was unfastening her hair
before pier glass and came forward,
her hands extended.
Don't let it worry you, DEAR" she
said simply.
Lydia made no reply, sinking, pale
and miserable, into chair and cover
ing her face with her hands.
Il say, don't let it worry you,' said
Miss Cosby. But the whole thing
makes me fighting mad
.Mad?" said Lydia, looking up al
most hopefully at the unexpected out
burst.
Eyes, mad said Kitty. why should
that young god Of q man be kicked and
sneered at by our world, forced to
sneak around behind rosebushes mere
ly TO see the idol Of his dreams step
into her carriage, While half bald,
sallow faced creature receives her un-
der palm trees, in the glare Of electric
lights, in the perfume Of costly flow
ers and amid the plaudits Of sQu1rm-
ing, low necked, white shirted mass
Of hero worshipers-hero worshipers,
indeed! - when George Buckley, the
kind Of hero we know, is left out IN the
co!dT
"Oh, Kitty, you are 8 darling" The
! color was running into Lydia's wan
face. Her eyes We're cleaning as they
had not cleaned that night. "But pa
pa? What about him? What would
you do about him."
"What would I do about him? I'd
make msshanse his pills. I don't
think he las any more heart disease
than I have, and mine fops as regular
as a clock, except when George Buck
! ley comes near, with those big, dreamy
eyes Of his. Lydia Cranston, I told
your mother wasn't going to influence
you either way, but if George Buckley
wanted me like he wants you he could
have me at the drop Of hat. God
doesn't bring up real men in velvet
lined cradles; he simply gives them the
chance to bring themselves up. I know
where you stand tonight, Lydia. Sc
cure in the JOY of George Buckley's 8
love, you are drifting away from it.
You are In danger, my girl-in danger
Of losing the very thing you treasure
above all else You think you can obey
your parents and always retain George
/ Buckley's love, but as sure as fate,
while you are now all woman could
| be in his sight, If you degraded your
self by marrying Telfare he would
gradually cease to love you and would
transfer his giant heart to some other
woman. I'd hate to be second choice;
but, as God is my judge, I'd like q
chance to make that man thoroughly
happy. What do care about his fam
lily? Napoleon said he was the first Of
his name, ard George Buckley may be
the first of his
Lydia looked up sharply and fixed a
/ steady glance on the face Of her friend.
"You are actually in love with him.
she said. What right:'- She sud
denly covered her face.
"Oh, don't be a goose" Kitty said.
"We've got work to do before we go
to bed. Your mother and Mrs. Dun
leigh are now rolling delightful NOR
sci OF gossip under their tongues. i
can hear their mumbling voices.
have an idea. I can't sleep until l
have rid their minds Of the belief that
George Buckley was hiding on the
lawn to catch sight Of you. That's the
sort Of thing women love to circulate
Wait. I'll fix 'en. and then We'll 90
to bed
Descending the stairs and entering
! the drawing room moment later, Kit
t. overheard Mrs Cranston saying:
Eyes, that accounts for 1t. he was not
invited and was simply jealous and
o1-a,- not caainc bnr 90 he