The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-30
!; UHSELFISH CONSPlRATOR :
By JAMES ROBERTS.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

By JAMES ROBERTS. Q
oeseseoseeeeoeeeeeoeeeeeee
The kitchen was still sitting hot In
spite OF the fact that the fire had gone
out an hour before, and that broiling
sun was sinking behind the hill.
Virginia set the milk bottles out on
the back porch with tickets for the
next days supply. Her cheeks were
flushed with the heat, and little moist
tendr1s Of hair clung to her forehead.
II don't care how I look" she said
as she turned toward the door.
In the deuble-seated swing, she
leaned her head back wearily and
closed her eyes, The breeze was cool
and refreshing. Tired as she was she
began to plan for the mornings work
/ She had never admitted even to her.
self, that since John Marshall had
been coming to see Annabelle, the
work had been much harder.
The big, old-fashioned house was
enough to keep two Of them busy
most Of the time. But Of late, Anna
bellies tine had hardly been her own.
When John was not there or taking
has out somewhere, there were other
Etzgs for the favored sister to do.
Mrs. Virgins appeared around the
)rner OF the house.
Good evenin', Miss Ginnie. didn't
zee any lights in the front and'sposed
yeu wasn't through with the dishes
Pet. Hot, amt it?"
Virginia was relieved that It was
only her hnd-hearted, garrulous old
neighbor. Come out here and sit
with me, won't you, Mrs. Virgins?
It's cooler here"
''What'll I do with your daddy's
eggs?"
"Oh, did you bring some for his
breakfast? How kind! I'll get a
an"
Never mind. I'll fix 'em. know
cow tired you must be-"
Mrs. Virgins put an egg, small end
down, In the top Of each milk bottle.
There! They'll be all right till you
come In"
She nmped back to the swing. In
the twilight, she caught the weary
droop Of the girls shoulders. Miss
Gnnie, ye amt sick, are.ye"
mo, Mrs. Virgins. Why?"
Tit amt like you. S-don't hike
to see you so tired. Your poor moth
er, she used to say, 'Virgirnie, she
can't stand what Annabelle does An
she always tried to keep you rested
What do ye do it for, Miss Ginnie?"
why, Mrs Virgins, you know how
1t Is with US now, ,osince dad lost all his
money. It's too bad If two big,
healthy girls like US can't take care
Of him and the house"
But, Miss Anna don't help. I guess
I've got eyes!"
We'll, perhaps not so much as she
Cid, but-she's very busy"
"Yes, I know why she's busy. But
D, matter if she is goin' to get mar
ried, she's no business imposin' on
you an I'm goin' to tell her"
MRS. Wtggtns!"
There, there, dearie! I'm an old
trouble-maker an must be goin' be-
fore I say anything more. I'm sorry,
Miss Ginny, If I hurt you. I hope
you'll feel better tomorrow"
Virginia watched the old lady dis
appear into the darkness. So other
people were beginning to notice! She
whitened. The bare facts paraded
themselves before her now without
disguise.
The moon, almost full, was rising
IN the east, making fairyland Of the
old-fashioned garden. It shone full
on the face Of the girl in the swing
lying back with closed eyes, her face
now strangely white.
She was saying over and over to
herself, II wonder if he really does
care for her! I wonder If"
virginia." whispered some one
softly, 80 softly that at first she did
not open her eyes. It seemed like
some mysterious magic of the old
moonlit garden.
When she did look up, she saw
man standing close to the swing. She
sat up with a startled cry, then rec.
ognizing John Marshall, she turned
away in pretty confusion. Had he
heard her thoughts? Had she said
anything aloud? He had called her
Virginia" for the first time!
She scrambled out Of the swing.
Good evening, Mr.. Marshall. I
didn't expect you and Annabelle back
80 soon."
II wonder" he said irrelevantly, "if
you have any idea how beautiful you
are in the moonlight"
"Mr. Marshall!"
Cant you say 'John*"
"Why-I-don't know. Why should
II" She was nervously plucking
leaves from a lilac bush. He reached
out and took both her hands in his.
Because want you to. This time
IN not going to let you get away with
out telling you what / want to. I've
tried for days but you have always
had some excuse. Too tired, or too
busy, or dishes, or something for "a
ther. Annabelle's a charming, cleV-
er little girl, but she isn't you, Vir-
ginia. I came alone. She's still at
the party having a fine time with Jack
English. They're glad to get rid OF
me-" He laughed. Il have eyes, V!r.
glnia.
"And I came back to hunt up little
Cinderella and tell her love her.
But first l must tell her that 1t isn't
a prince who woos her. I've lost near
ly all of my money lately, Virginia"
He still held her hands and felt the
tiniest pressure on his own.
You do love me, dearest!" He
drew her unresisting to him.