The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-12-20

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sSssy before life seemed quite as
usual to Alice Page. The summer idyl
had passed, and though it left q scar
on her heart she had resolutely de-
te-rnined to put the sweet Illusion out
Of her mind Il was very foolish to
let him see that cared" she thought.
for it can never be, and by and by
he will forget me, or if he does think
of me it will be to recall me as one Of
his summer girls who had fit Of sill
Illness"
Her heart ached at times, and in
spite of all resolution her fingers would
once in awhile stray to the chords Of
Ben Bolt" She answered. his letters
in a cool, matter Of fact way. Occa-
sionally, when he referred to his heart
hunger and how hard he was studying
in hopes that she might think better
OF him, she wished that he had DO
purse proud and haughty mother to
stand between him and poor girl, and
her next letter would be more chilly
than ever. What perhaps was bitter
sweet thought was the fact that the
colder she answered him the warmer
his next letter would be. He happened
to mention once that his mother had
spoken Of a certain young lady, who
belonged to the cream Of Boston So
ciety, as an eligible match and advised
him to show her a little attention. 1t
did not help his cause.
How grateful she was all through
those melancholy autumn days that she
had large school to absorb her
thoughts. She was having long and
hard fight with her own feelings, and
imagined she had conquered them
when Thanksgiving time drew near
and her brother announced he would
run up and spend the day with her.
She almost cried for Joy at the news,
for proud spirited Alice Page was feel
ing very heart hungry when the letter
came. Albert was just little surpris-
ed at her vehement welcome.
"Oh, have been so lonesome, Ber-
tie" she said when they were alone,
"and the evenings drag by so slowly!
/! Then you do not write me as often or
such nice lesers as formerly, and Aunt
Susan never seems to notice that am
blue. If it were not for my school I
should go crazy, think"
81 am very busy these days, SIS"
Albert replied. "and my mind is all
taken up with work. ar. Nason's
business is increasing, and have many
clients besides him" Then be added,
''How did you like Blanch Nason:
"Oh, she was very NICE" replied
Alice coolly, "and If she were poor
girl and lived here could easily learn
to love her. AS it Is, it IS useless for
me to think of her as friend. 1t was
good Of her to pay me a visit though,
and enjoyed every minute Of it."
"And what about Frank? Did he
not say a lot of sweet things to you"
Alice colored.
"Oh, he IS nice enough" she answer
ed, "and tried to make me believe he
had fallen in love with me, but 1t won't
do any good. am sure bis managing
mamma will marry him to some thin
girl with q fat purse"
$50 that IS the way the wind blows,
my sweet sister, is it? And yet my
possible future law partner has been
humming Ben Bolt nearly every day
for the past two months! You must
have smiled on him very sweetly when
he was here"
"Please DO not say any more about
him, Bert" she answered with a little
pain in her voice "Ee IS all right, but
I am too poor and too proud to satisfy
his mother, so that Is all there is to It."
Then she added in self protection,
'eTell me about the island girl I heard
you fell In love with on the yachting
trip and for whom you deserted the
crowd" Albert looked confused. ut
IS true, Bertie," she said quickly. u
can see it IN your face. That explains
your short letters. shall feel more
6esolate now than ever"
"Alice, my sweet little sister," he re-
piled, resolutely drawing his chair near
and taking her hand, ut is true, and
intended to tell you al about 1t, only
I hated to do 1t at first and so put 1t
off. She is more than pretty; she is
beautiful, and the most unaffected and
tender hearted girl ever met. But
you need not worry. She is SO devoted
to the two old people, who have brought
her up as their own that she will not
leave them for me as long as they
live"
Then he frankly told Alice the entire
story Of his waif Of the see and how
she had refused to yield to his plead
ing.
"And now, sweet sister," he said at
last, "I have a plan to unfold, and I
want you to consider it well. I am
now earning enough to maintain a
home, and I am tired Of boarding
house life. 1t Is not likely shall mar
~ the girl I lore for many years to
come, and there is no need for US to be
separated in this way. I think 1t is
best that we close the house or rent it
for the present, and you and Aunt Su-
san cone to Boston. I can hire pref
ty fat, and we, can take down such OF
the furniture is we need and store the
rest. What do you think Of the plan"
"Oh, I shall be so glad Of the change,
Bertie! It is so desolate here, and I
dread the long winter. But what can
T do in Boston? I cannot be idle"
"Wtll not housekeeping for me be
occupation enough?" he answered,
smiling, "or you might give music
lessons and study shorthand. I need
| q typewriter even now"
"But what will Aunt Susan think Of
the change? And it will be such
change for herr
"She Will get used to It," he an
swered.
Then, as Alice began to realize what
it meant to bid goodby to the scenes Of
. M, bo old homo tho crro9t