The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-09-16

covered a young girl perhaps eighteen.
accompanied by young woman IN the
early thirties. They had the appear
snce Of eagerly awaiting some one.
Jones stepped forward with a good
deal OF dihdence.
You are waiting for some one?
~Yes," said the elder woman, coldly.
"A broken bracelet"
The distrust on both faces vanished
Instantly. The young girls face
Frightened, her eyes sDarhed with
suppressed excitement
"You are -. my father"
mo, MISS" very gravely. II am the
butler"
let me see your part Of the brace
let" said the young girls guardian,
q teacher who had been assigned to
this delicate task by Miss Farlow, who
could not bring herself to say good-by
to Florence anywhere except at the
school gates.
The halves were produced and e1-
emined.
II believe we may trust him, Flor
ence."
"Let US hurry to the taxicab. We
must not stand here"
"My nother?"
"Sne is dead. believe she died
shortly after your birth. have been
with your father but fourteen years.
/ know but little Of bis life prior to
that"
why did he leave me ali these
years without ever coming to see me?
Why?"
1T is not for me. H.iss Florence. to
inquire Into your fathers act. But I
do know that whatever he did was
meant for the best. Your welfare was
everything to him"
1T is all very strange" said the
/ girl, bewilderedly. "Why didn't he
come tomeet me instead OF you?"
Jones stared at his hands, miser-
ably.
"Why?" she demanded. II have
thought Of him, thought Of him. He
has hurt me with all this neglect ]
expected to see him at the station, to
throw my arms around his neck and
forgive him" Tears swan in
her eyes as she spoke.
Everything will be explained to
you when we reach the house. But
always remember this, Miss Florence:
You were everything in this wide
world to your father. You will never
know the misery an6 loneliness he
suffered that you might not have one
hour of unrest What are you-. plans?"
he asked abruptly Of the teacher from
Miss Farlow's.
"That depends" she answered, lay.
ing her hand protectingly over the
girls.
"You could leave Miss Fsrlow's On
the monent?"
! "Yes."
"Then you win stay and te Miss
Florence's companion?"
Gladly"
What Is my fathers name?S
"Hargreave, Stanley Hargreave. :.
The girls eyes widened In terror.
Suddenly she burst into wild frenzy
Of sobbing, her head against the shoul-
der Of her erstwhiIe teacher.
Jones appeared visibly shocked.
What Is it?"
I've read the story in the newspa-
| per," said the elder woman, her own
eyes filing with tears. "The poor
child! To have all her castles-in-air
tumble down Ike this! But what au-
thority have you to engage me? SEN
sibly.
Jones produced a document, duly
signed by Hargreaye, and witnessed
and sealed by a notary. In which It
was set forth that Henry Jones. but
ler and valet to Stanley Harsreave,
had full powers Of attorney IN the
event Of his (Hars7eave's) disappear
ance; in the event Of his death, till
Fiorence became Of legal age.
Said Jones as he put the document
back in his pocket: What is your
name?"
Susan Wane"
"Do you love this chtld:"
with all my heart, the poor un-
happy babel"
Thank you!-
Inside the home he conducted them
through the various ROOMS, at the
same time telling them what had ta-
ken place during the preceding night
They have not found his body?"
asked Florence. "My poor, poor faith
! err"
/. mo"
Then ne may be slives"
! "Please God that he nay!' said the
butler, with genuine piety, for he had
loved the man who had gone forth in
to the night so hravely and so strange
ly. This Is your room. Your father
spent many happy hours here prepar-
ing It for you"
Tears came into the girls eyes
again, and discreetly Jones left the
two alone.
what shall DO, susan7 Whatever
shall I do7"
"Be brave as you always are
will never leave you till you find your
father"
Florence kissed her fervently.
What Is your opinion Of the butler"
"I think we may both trust him alb
solutely."
Then Florence began exploring the
house Susan followed her closely.
Florence peered behind the mirrors,
the pictures, in the drawers Of the
desk, IN the bookcases.
What are you hunting for, cht1dH"
"a photograph Of father" But she
found none. More, there were no pho
tograpns of any kind to be found IN
Stanley Hargreave's home.
When Norton awoke, ne naturally
went to the door for the morning pa