The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-10-28

(OON 1INO ILL L 1eOh h6AoA w
packed away in salt. the .nu6hook
raised, and the schooner Betty set her
sails for the southwest Barnes real
lied that to save the girl she must
have doctor who knew his business
Mrs. Barnes would know how to care
for the girl, once she knew what the
trouble was There would be some
news in the papers. A young and
beautiful woman did not jump from
big Atlantic liner without the newspa-
pers getting hold Of the facts.
A fair wind carried the Betty into
her haven, and shortly after Florence
was sleeping peacefully in feather
bed, ancient, it IS true, but none the
less soft and inviting. In all this time
she had not spoken single word.
"The poor young thing." nurmured
the motherly Mrs Barnes. What
beautiful hair! o, John, I wish you
would give up the sea. I hate it. It
is terrible. I am always watching
you in my minds eye, in calm wealth
er, in storms. Pieces Of wrecks come
ashore, and / always wonder over the
death and terror back Of them"
Don't y worry none about me
Betty. I never take no chances. Now
I'm goin' int tn village an bring
back tn sawbones. He'll tell US what
t do"
The village doctor shook his grizzled
head gravely.
"She's been hurt and shocked at the
| same time It will be many days be-
fore she comes around to herself. Just
let her do IS she pleases. Only keep
| an eye on her so that she doesn't wan
der of and get lost. I'll watch the
| newspapers and II come across any
thing which bears upon the case I'll
notify you"
But he searched the newspapers in
| vain, for the simple fact that he did
| not think to glance over the old ones.
The village took a good deal Of in
terest In the affair. They gossiped
about 1t and strolled out to the Barnes
| cottage to satisfy their curiosity. One
thing was certain to their simple
| minds: some day Barnes would get
great sum Of money for his kindness.
They had read about such things in
the family story paper. She was rich
mans daughter; the ring on the IN
known's finger would have fitted out
a feet
Florence was soon able to walk
about Ordinary conversation she
| seemed to understand; but whenever
the past. was broached she would
shake her head with frowning eyes.
Her main diversion consisted Of sitting
on the sand dunes and gazing out at
sea.
One day a stranger came to town.
He said he represented life insur-
| ance company and was up here from
Boston to take a little vacation. He
sat on the hotel porch that evening,
| surrounded by an admiring audience.
The stranger had been all over the
| world, SO it seemed He spoke famil-
iarly Of St. Petersburg, Vladivostok.
Shanghai, as the villagers-some Of
them-might have spoken Of Boston.
There were one or two old timers
among the audience. They had been
to all these parts. The stranger knew
what he was telling about. After tell
ing of his many voyages he asked If
there was a good bathing beach near
by. He was told that he would find
the most suitable spot near Captain
Barnes cottage just outside the VII
lage.
can say, Mister, seen anythin' in
tn papers about a missin' young wom-
sn?" asked some one.
Missing young woman? What's
that?"
The man told the story Of Forence's
leap into the sea and her subsequent
arrival at the cape.
That's funny" said the stranger.
IT don't recollect reading about any
young woman being lost at sea. But
those big liners are always keeping
such things under cover. Hoodoos the
ship, they say, and turns prospective
| passengers to other lines. It hurts
| business. What's the young girl look
Nke?"
Florence was described minutely. The
| stranger teetered, in his chair and
smoked. Finally be spoke.
"She probably was insane. That's
the way generally with insane people.
They cant see water or look of a
tall building without wanting to jump.
My business is insurance, and we've
got the thing figured pretty close to
the ground. They used to get the
best Of US on the suicide game. A
I man would take out q large policy
today and tomorrow he'd blow his
head Of. and we'd have to pay his
wife. But nowadays a policy is not
worth the paper it's written on If a
| man commits suicide under TWO
years"
"You amt tryin' to insure anybody
: in town, are you?"
"Oh, no. No work for me when
; I'm on my vacation Well. I'm going
to bed; and tomorrow morning III go
: out to Captain Barnes beach and have
q good swim. I'm no sailor, but I like
water"
He honestly enjoyed swimming.
Early the next morning he was in the
water, frolicking about as playfully as
a boy. He had all the time in the
world. Over his shoulder he saw two
women wandering down toward the
beach. Deeper he went, farther out.
He was a bold swimmer, but that did
not prevent sudden and violent attack
- o-oroe And II was rare piece