The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-10-18

three young people. When Sunday
morning came they Of course attended
church, and Frank found himself slyly
stared at by all the people OF Sand
gate. BE did not pay much attention
to the sermon, but good deal to
certain sweet soprano voice IN the
choir, and when after service Alice
joined them he boldly walked away
with her and left Albert chatting with
q neighbor.
On the way home she, Of course, ask
ed the usual question as to how he
liked the sermon.
II don't think I heard ten words OF
it," he replied. Il was kept busy
counting how many caught looking at
me- and whenever the choir sang I for
got to count Why was it they stared
al me so much? Is u stranger here
walking curioSity?'
In way, yes answered Alice.
'They don't mean to be rude, but
new face at church IS q curio. I'll
wager that nine out Of ten who were
there this morning are at this moment
discussing your looks and wondering
who and what you are"
4 realization of her cool Indifference
tinged his feelings that evening just at
dusk, where ne had been left alone be
side the freshly started parlor fire, and
when the object Of his thought hap
pened in he sat staring moodily ct the
flames. She drew a chair opposite and,
seating herself, said pleasantly:
why so pensive, Mr.. Mason? Has
going to church made you feel re-
pentant?"
II don't feel the need Of repentance
except in one way" he answered, "and
(; that you would not be interested in.
To be candid, Miss Page, I'm growing
ashamed Of the useless life I lead, and
it's that I feel to repent Of. 4 few
things your brother said to me three
i months ago were the beginning, and
a remark you made the day we first
went sleighing has served to increase
that feeling. Ever since I left college
I have led an aimless life, bored to
death by -ennui and conscious that no
one was made any happier by my ex-
istence. What Bert said to me and
your remark have only served to make
| me realize it more fully"
II am very sorry, Mr.. Mason" she
said pleasantly, IF any words Of mine
hurt you even a little. have forgot
ten what they were and wish you
! would. The visit which Bert and you
are making me is a most delightful
break in the monotony Of my life, and
I sLall be very glad to see, you again"
And then, rising, she added, IF hurt
you, please say you forgive me, for I
must 60 out and see to getting tea
The last evening was passed much
like the first, except that now the
elusive Alice seemed to be transformed
into a far more gracious hostess, and
all her smiles and interest seemed to
be lavished upon Frank instead Of her
brother. It was as if this occult little
lady had come to feel a new and sur
prising curiosity in all that concerned
the life and amusements Of her visitor.
With true feminine skill, she piled him
with all manner Of questions and af-
fected the deepest interest in all he had
to say. What were his sisters amuse-
ments? Did they entertain much, play
tennis, golf or ride? Where did they
usually go summers, and did he gener-
ally 20 with them? Els own comlnGs
| and soings and where he had been and
what he saw there were also made
part Of the grist he was encouraged to
grind. She even professed keen In
terest in his yacht and listened pa
tently to a most elaborate description
Of that craft, although as a roWboat
was the largest vessc, she had ever set
foot on it IS likely she did not gain q
very clear idea Of the Gypsy.
Your yacht has very suggestive
name" she said. "It makes one think
Of green woods and campdres. l
should dearly love to take. sail in her.
7 have read so much about yachts and
yachting that the idea Of sailing along
| the shores In ones own floating house,
as it were. has fascination for me-
This expression Of taste was so much
| In line with Franks, and the idea OF
having this charming girl for yacht
ing companion so tempting that his
face glowed.
Nothing would give me greater
pleasure" be responded, than to have
you for a guest on my boat, Miss Page.
think it could be managed if l could
only coax my mother and sisters to so,
and you and your brother would join
US. We would visit the Maine coast re-
sorts and have no end Of q good time"
It's a delightful outing you sus-
gest." she answered, "and thank you
very much, but I wouldn't think Of
coming if your family had to be coaxed
to go, and then it's not likely that Bert
could find the time"
'.Oh, didn't mean it that way" he
said. looking serious, ''only mother and
the girls are afraid Of the water, that
Is ALL"
| When conversation Jagged Frank
begged that she would sing for him
and suggested selections from Moody
and Sankey, and despite her brothers
sarcastic remark that it wasn't q re-
vival meeting they were holding she
not only played and sang all those
time worn melodies, but a lot Of others
from older collections When retiring
time came Frank asked that she con-
clude with "Ben Bolt"
81 shall not need to recall that song
to remind me Of you" be said in 4
low voice as he spread it on the music
rack in front Of her, 'but I shall al
ways feel its mood when | think OF
you"
Docs that mean that you will think
Of me as sleeping in corner obscure
and alone in some churchyard:" she
responded archly.