The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-03-24
III a DRILLING Rain
Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure
per SypGicate.l
BY HOPE alNSlEE.

roses in Constance Atwood's cheeks
to come out and get wet. And the
roses were fast appearing as she
walked briskly through the damp
cinder path in Central park.
It was Saturday afternoon and Con-
stance had promised herself that she
would finish knitting the last of her
six pairs Of socks for the soldier boys
before the Wednesday boat should
have sailed. Her small brother and
sister, being prevented by the rain
from playing out of doors. would de-
mand the attention of Sister Con-
stance if she were at home. There
fore she decided to seek the shelter Of
a summer house in the park, where
On a day like this she was sure to
be alone.
a beautiful girl sitting alone in a
summer house on cold, drizzllng
day knitting socks is not an every
day picture. Indeed it was such an
unusual sight to Donald Grey when
he came upon it that he almost
stopped in his course to stare.
Constance looked up casually as he
passed and her calm, level gaze met
his; then she dropped her eyes, con-
einued her knitting and the man
strobe on through the winding path.
But the mans peace Of mind had
been disturbed. Only his deeprooted
sense OF chivalry kept him from re-
tracing his steps for one more. look
at the lovely girl He realized that
he had only a slender chance in a
thousand OF seeing her again, and
yet at that moment he could think Of
no other person whom he so desired
to see again-and often.
Suddenly his musings were abrupt
ly interrupted by the approach OF q
big Irish park policeman leading a
small child reluctantly by the hand.
The officer had to stoop to keep a
hold Of the tiny tot
.Go..a lost kid!" he said laughing
~ to Donald.
Donald looked at the pretty little
girl. aFfne day for youngster like
that to be alone IN the park, isn't it,"
Fine for the pneumony! Says her
mas knittin' and she run or" volun-
teered the policeman further.
Donald Grey paled little. knit
ting did you say? Her-her moth
ee?''
Sure! Why not? Amt they all
a-doin' it day an night for Tommy
Atkins and the loike o him?" asked
the officer.
'I saw young woman back In the
summer house-a-knitting," said Dom
aid.
.eWhere:" asked the policeman.
slertly.
TN show you-it's quicker" and
Donald led the way back to the sum,
mer house.
The little one rotted beside the
big policeman and Donald, humming
gsyiy. She seemed not to care who
her protectors were, so long as she
was having. a little excitement. DON
aid could see that much In the tots
eyes
Waen she saw the trio approaching
Constance stopped knitting and
stared. But Donald could see at a
glance that she had not lost any
body's baby. She locked from one to
the othe- as the three drew close.
aAskfn' yer pardon. LADY but did
We lose this ksdea asked the police
man.
Constance laughed She shook her
head. aNo. indeed didn't Is the
poor haby iost?n
ashe snre is-says her mas a-knit-
Hin and she run away-"
aMa's dom that" said the child
gayly. pointing to Constance and her
Knitting.
X SIS she, dearg" asked Constance
and Donald realized that she had the
voice, too, Of his ideal. "And where
did you leave your mammal
The child made vague gesture.
Over home with lots O. ladies' all
kn1te1n aad-
The policeman took the child again
By the hand. Come on, KID, youH
catch cold out here. I'll ind her ma
All right Much obliged. And the big
Policeman and the little one walked
Oh IN the arizzang rain
Donald Grey raised MS hat. I'm
sorry-
on, II was qoite naturai, I'm sure.
Dont apotosize. l Only nope tney
zzano eae paoy $ "otaes soon- tt 5 hos
. agsysio. y. neeis ones 70 Dc OUT,
ins sa.i 5 Tone eisisseo MN sno
suAso ss suoue On, Inns time he ieAe
:, .uespssa Il ne nau "snseo 70 Ano"
!asess.sal aes ssieef q saisie. sia "t aef' ne
gtongeo more tnan ever NO" tnas ne