The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-11-30
The Substitute
Bu WILL N. HARBEN,
Author Of "Abne- Daniel" The Land Of
the Changing Sun" The North
Walk Nystely." Etc.
Copyright, 1905. By Harper d: Brothers

svered Teltare, but may as well ad-
nit that M object is to marry Miss
Cranston, and. as she evidently is actu-
eted by a sort Of pity, admirable in
woman, for you III your misfortune,
simply want 70 remove you from fur
ther contact with her without having
openly to request the step Of her OF her
parents. God knows I'm not jealous Of
you! It is not that 1t is only the idea
Of our visiting here as social equals"
George stood up. He had something
to say, and it rang in Telfare's ears
long after the words were spoken.
'My father, Telfare," he began, "was
convicted for stealing, and no doubt
Justly, but he was an uclettered, iSno-
rant man. He was thief, but you, Tel
fare. are lower than he, for, with your
opportunities for knowing right from
wrong. you degrade your ofacc,,the Of
fee given in trust to you by the state
to advance your own personal inter
ests. You are more objectionable than
my father. As for my having any
claim on the lady you mention, have
none, and it would be dishonorable for
me to trade in q commodity I don't
possess. But hold on; I am not through.
I want to add that if my accepting
your proposition meant that lent the
weight Of q straw toward making Miss
Cranston your wife, I'd refuse with my
dying breath. I could not live know
ing that the purest and noblest woman
God ever made was through an act OF
mine living with 4 loathsome reptile
like you. II my father stood on the
gallows condemned to death and I
could save him by allowing you to
touch Miss Cranston's hand in lawful
wedlock should let him die"
.sYou mean to refuse your fathers
freedom?'' gasped Telfare.
"Yes, I refuse. am trying. Telfare,
co show the world by my life that l
have not inherited my parents weak
sess. I shall not depart from that rule
by entering into q dishonorable COM
pact with a man as base as you are,
regardless Of what it means to me-.
you'd better think this over, Buck
ley" said the governor. You are mad
now"
"I have nothing to say" replied
Buckley, ..and, to .-.ow you how little
regard I have for your wishes, I shall
keep my engagement with Miss Gran
ston this evening" And, turning, he
walked ahead Of Telfare to the house
and into the lighted paclor. a servant
took his hat and told him Miss Gran
ston had gone into the garden. but
would return in q moment. While he
was waiting the governor entered the
room and sat down. lie was pale,
nervous and had desperate glare IN
his eyes. Then Lydia came in. She
was slightly flushed and had tube
rose in her hand.
'I'm so glad you came" she said to
George. Telfare had risen and stood
trying to appear at ease, but she did
not notice him.
"Do you like tuberoses" she asked
Buckley.
every much" he replied.
'Then you shall wear this,'' she said,
her voice quite unsteady. She glanced
at Telfare and finished: '1t's the only
one have. Governor Telfare, if you'd
like one you may ring and the girl will
supply you" She leaned forward and
with her white, deft fingers pinned the
flower on the lapel Of Buckley's coat.
"Mr.-er-ah-Buckley is to be con-
graduated on getting his tuberose,"
the governor said, with a white sneer.
.'He seems to be something Of a favor
ite, Miss Lydia-at least for the mo-
ment."
The girl laughed harshly. George
had never seen her so excited. Her
eyes shone like diamonds in the light
Of the chandelier.
"MY. Buckley and are true friends"
she said. 81 respect him more than
any one alive, unless it is my father"
"Ah, you dor' Telfare bit at his
short, black mustache which he turned
inward with his trembling fingers. SThe
gentleman-I mean Mr.. BucEey-ls
quite fortunate" he said. Il see your
father is smoking on the veranda.'
With your permission I'll join him.
eyes, do, Governor Telfare," the girl
said coldly. Pm quite anxious to
speak to MI. Buckley alone for a few
moments"
The governor stood up, his dark.faee
stamped with fury.
"your manner has changed within
the last half hour" he said significant
| IL. "At the supper table you were
quite another little girl, but wensnall
talk that over later"
When the governor had left thereon,
George fancicd Lydia's face turned
winter. She clasped her hands tenseiy
in her lap and remained silent An
evil thought took possession OF him.
George Buckley was very human Mis-
fortune had inclined -, nature to sus-
picion, and the governors high rank
contrasted to his own humble posrnon
made him blind to the possibility that
he could be more favored on the pres
ent occasion. It seemed as cheaE as
daylight to him that Lydia and Tel
fare had cuarreleG and that she was
simply using him as q tool through
which to strike at his distinguished II
val. To her evident surprise, he :uso
got up.
! 'You are not goinS:' she said.
J eyes" he returned friCidly ''itdTOp-