The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-11-04

and then let Ma
sSS&@= mie Travis absort
his attention witt
her Irish wit and fascination. Con
stance went through an eternity oi
torture before she plucked up courage
to take down, her hands, remove he,
pumps and slide away.
Soon she was safe out Of sight. She
stopped near a swift little brook
where the sunset was nirrored rosiy
in the clear water. The stiffness Of
the woods soothed her little, and
she began to plan how she could find
the others and get home without &C
cepting Henry's escort. They were
all in pairs, and some one would in
sist On going with her. Jack Manning
had brought Mamie.
Her shoes still in her hand, she sat
down, curling her feet under her, the
thought striking her with shame that
she loved Henry Peyton before he
had spoken Of love to her!
AS she sat there she heard a crash
in the bushes and in moment Jack
Manning, whom she hated, came
staggering up to her.
Hello! Guess you and I'll have to
console each other. We seem to be
deserted" He seated himself beside
her, scanning her admiringly with his
bold, dark eyes.
She flushed in distress.
Say, little one, I'll take of my
shoes, too, and we'll 60 wading. Is
that what you came for?" She shook
her head.
Il don't like you. Go away! Please
Pm tired and want to think"
"Ycu can think when you're older
aad lot so pretty. Thinking's no job
for a beauty-come, console me fol
Mamie. She wouldn't mind consoline
a fellow"
Constance jumped up, snatchlng her
shoes, End ran away from him as fast
as she could. 1t was growing dusk
ard she was timid-indeed deathly
afraid, but OF him more than Of a
whole lonely forest. He looked after
her q moment, bit off the end Of a
fresh cigcr and muttered to himself:
"Tur1:i down, eh? Wen! too fast
with her. Is Peyton crazy to forget
a pee ch like that for-Mame?" He lit
his ciger and sauntered off. Finally
he found the others grouped under the
trees preparing to go home.
Presently Henry brought Mamie
back, the girl soberfaced, her eyes
little red, but the man was very quiet.
where's Constance?" he demanded
Mrs. Turner, the chaperon, did not
know
Z think you're the one to know"
she remarked, significantly, "and it's
getting dark. Better lock for her
saw ker go OF by herself" Henry
strobe off.
4 t&!f hour later in the deep dusk,
thoroughly alarmed, he was still
searching. He called her name aloud,
but size did not answer. WHAT had
become Of her? His heart failed him.
Why h. he left her even a moment? ?
Why had he bothered to save a girl
Ike Name from her own undoing. II
she wanted to play with Manning till
a coed chap like Therne was sick OF
her-it was her business.
Constance" he called. "Connie!"
Then going around big tree, he came
upon her white little figure huddled
against the trunk. Her hands in her
absurd fashion we're over her ears.
She was crying softly. He rushed up
to her, taking down her hands and
shaking her bit from sheer relief to
find her safe.
"Connie-darling you frightened
me to death! What made you hide?"
He drew her toward him, but she
freed hers2lf firmly, shaking her head.
Constance! You-know I love
you. l didn't intend to tell you yet
but it's out now. Don't you-care for
me at all?'
You Here-making-love to her
under tree-I saw-but l didn't
listen"
The man laughed and again drew
her to him despite herself.
Making love to Mamie Travis? I'm
not fool. l was lecturing her within
al inch OF her life about that scamp
Manning! Perhaps she was not worth
it-but I've known her long time"
Constance clung close to him.
He came down to the brook and
bothered mel ran away
I'll settle with him, Connie. But
DO you love me, dear?"
She leaned willingly against him.
"You-know l do" she said. You
know. Will you take me home now?"
rIe had juss tucked her hand under his
arm when the others came looking for
Lhem both. Together they walked to-
ward the trolley line, and the night
VAS sM -et to them.
Copyright. 1914. by the Mcclure Newspa-
pa- SyrG!ca;".l