University of South Carolina Libraries
The treatment of Catarrh with antiseptic and r astringent washes, lotions, salves, medicated tobacco and cigarettes or any externak or local application, is L just as senseless as would be kindling a fire on top of the pot to make it boil. True, these give temporary relief, but the cavities and passages of the head and the bronchial tubes soon fill up again with mucus. Taking cold is the first step towards Catarrh, for it checks perspiration, and the poisonous acids and vapors which should pass off through the skin, are thrown back upon the mucous membrane or inner skin, producing inflammation and excessive fiow of mucus, much of which is absorbed into the blood, and through the circulation reaches every part of the system, involving the Stomach, Kidneys and other parts of the body. When the disease assumes the dry form, the breath becomes exceedingly foul, blinding headaches are frequent, the eyes red, hearing affected and a constant ringing in the ears. No remedy that does not reach the polluted blood can cure Catarrh. S. S. S. expels from the circulation all offensive matter, and when rich, pure blood is again coursing through the body the mucous membranes become healthy and the skin active, all the disagreeable, painful symptoms disap pear, and a permanent, thorough cure is effected. S. S. S. being a s.trictly vegetable blood purifier does not derange the Stomach and digestion, but the appetite and general health rapidly improve under its tonic effects. Write us about your case and get the best medical advice free. Book on blood and skin diseases sent on application. THE SWIFT SPECIFIC CO., Atlanta. Ga. CAROLINA PORTLAND CEMENT CO., CHARLESTON. S. C. Bole Sellinig A-g012tS. iKIi-TbIAN Fire Brick, Fire Tile, Arch Brick, Bull-Hea4Ad All Specia 1les. ALSO FINEST PREPARED FIRE CLAY. Carload L''ts. Less Than Carload Lots. H OUSEKEEPERS Realizing how anxiWjs you are when purchasing Crockery to get the best, and what pleasure it affords you when you succeed, and what pride every woman takes in her China, we have recently im ported direct from England a crate of that World Famous Iron Stone China, Known as ALFRED MEEKINS. Those of you who have this well known make in your china closets and want pieces to replace will do well to call early and get them before the stock is broken, and those who want a new store can do no better than buy this strong, durable make of Crockery, as none other will present that snowy appearance and look of absolute cleanliness as it does. FARMERS, -Do not fail to examine the DEERING MOWERS and RAKES. You cannot afford to buy anything but the best. Those who have bouight Deering Mowers and Rakes do not change for other makes. We L aet us sel you the best Con Sheller on the market, one that is made to use and will do the work thoroughly. We also have a nice lot of American Field Fencing in stock, on which we can offer you special inducements in quantities. Our stock of Belting and Steam Fittings is as nearly complete as it is psible to carry, and we can supply vou with Oil from stock at very owprices. In quantities we can ship you direct at prices that will Le us have your orders, we will guarantee you prices and quality on any goods we handle. Manning Hardware Co. -AT * We have just received a ONE THOUSAND DOLLA~R * stock of Shoes. We bought out a concern at an s e50c. on the Dollar adawehave no room for so much additional goods, hav ing a full stock on hand, we will sell them at First Wholesale Cost Price Until the goods are entirely disposed of. All these Shoes are new, fresh and clean goods, all in the latest desirable styles, and it is a rare and good chance for all who want to-save money in this line. over. T HE NEW IDEAA M. M KSNOFF, Prop. - BRING YOUR Jo~b Workz TO THE TINES OFFICE. lac By Ralph CHAPTER XI. LOVE ISNOT ALL. T HOSE days when we were waiting Craig's return we spent in the woods or on the mountain sides or down in the canyon beside the stream that danced down to meet the Black Rock river, I talking and sketching and read ing and shelistening and dreaming, with often a happy smile upon her face. But there were moments when a cloud of shuddering fear would sweep the smile away, and then I would talk of Craig till the smile came back again. But the woods and the mountains and the river were her best, her wis est, friends during those days. How sweet the ministry of the woods to her! The trees were in their new sum mer' leaves, fresh and full of life. They swayed and rustled above us, flinging their interlacing shadows upon us, and their swaying and their rus tling soothed and comforted like the voice and touch of a mother. And the mountains, too, in all the glory of their varying robes of blues and purples, stood calmly, solemnly, about us, up lifting our souls into regions of rest. The changing lights and shadows fLit 'ted swiftly over their rugged fronts, but left them ever as before in their steadfast majesty. "God's in his heaN en." What would you have? And ever the little river sang its cheerful cour age, fearing not the great mountains that threatened to bar its passage to the sea. Mrs. Mayor heard the song, and her courage rose. "We, too, shall find our way," she said, and I believed her. But through these days I could not make her out, and I found myself studying her as I might a new ac quaintance. Years had fallen from her. She was a girl again, full of young, warm life. She was as sweet as before, but there was a soft shyness over her, a half shamed, half frank consciousness in her face, a glad light in her eyes that made her all new to me. Her perfect trust in Craig was touching to see. "He will tell me what to do," she would say till I began to realize how Impossible it would be for him to be tray such trust and be anything but true to the best. So much did I dread Craig's home coming that I sent for Graeme and old man Nelson, who was more and more Graeme's trusted counselor and friend. They were both highly excited by the story I had to tell, for I thought it best to tell them all, but I was not a little surprised and disgusted that they did not see the matter in my light. In vain I protested against the madness of al lowing anything to send these two from each other. Graeme summed up the discussion in his own emphatic way, but with an earnestness In his words not usual with him. "Craig will know better than any of us what is right to do, and he will do that, and no man can turn him from it, and," he added, "I should be sorry to try." Then my wrath rose, and I cried: "It's a tremendous shame! They love each other. You are talking senti mental humbug and nonsense." "He must do the right," said Nelson In his deep, quiet voice. "Right! Nonsense! By what right does he send from him the woman he loves?" "'He pleased not himself,'" quoted Nelson reverently. "Nelson is right," said. Graeme. "I should not like to see him weaken." "Look here," I stormed. "I didn't bring you men to back him up in his nonsense. I thought you could keep your heads level." "Now, Connor," said Graeme, "don't rage. Leave that for the heathen. it's bad form and useless besides. Craig will walk his way where his light falls, and, by all that's holy, I should hate to see him fail, for if he weakens like the rest of us my North star will have dropped from my sky." "Nice selfish spirit," I muttered. "Entirely so. I'm not a saint, but I feel like steering by one when I see him." When, after a week had gone, Craig rode up one early morning to his shack door, his face told me that he had fought his fight and had not been beat en. He had ridden all night and was ready to drop with weariness. "Connor, old boy," he said, putting out his band, "I'm rather played. There was a bad row at the Landing. I have just closed poor Colley's eyes. It was awfuL. I must get sleep. Look after Dandy, will you, like a good chap." "Oh, Dandy be hanged!" I saId, for I knew It was not the fight nor the watching nor tI. a long ride that had shaken his Iron nerve and given him that face. "Go in and lie down. I'll bring you something." "Wake mue in the afternoon," he said. "She is waiting. Perhaps you will go to her." His lips quivered. "My nerve is rather gone." Then, with a very wan smile, he added, "I am giving you a lot of trouble." "You go to thunder!" I burst out, for my throat was hot and sore with grief for him. "I think I'd rather go to sleep," he re plied, still smiling. I could not speak and was glad of the chance of being alone with Dandy. When I came in, I found him sitting with his head in his arms upon the ta ble fast asleep. I made him tea, forced him to take a warm bath and sent him to bed, while I went to Mrs. Mayor. I went with a fearful heart, but that was because I had forgotten the kind of woman she w~vas. She was standing in the light of the window waiting for me. Her face was pale, but steady; there was a proud light in her fathomless eyes, a slight smile parted her lips, and she carried her head like a queen. "Come in," she said. "You need not fear to tell mue. I saw him ride home. He has not failed, thank God! I am proud of him. I knew he would be true. He loves me"-she drew in her breath sharply, and a faint color tinged her cheek-"but he knows love is not all-ah, love is not all! Oh, I am glad and proud:" "Glad:" I gasped, amazed. "You would not have him prove' faithless!" she- said, with proud de fiance. "Oh, it is hIgh sentimental non sense:" I could not help saying. "Yo.shqu.not satyss'.she renlied. : er voice rang clear. "Honor, faith and duty are sentiments, but the are not nonsense." In spite of my rage I was lost in amazed admiration of the high spirit of the woman who stood up so straight before me, but as I told how worn and broken he was she listened with changing color and swelling bosom, h1_r proud courage all gone and only love. aniIous and pitying, in her eyes. "Shall I go to him?" she asked, with timid eagerness and deepening color. "le is sleeping. He said he would coue to you," I replied. "I shall wait for him," she sa!d soft ly, and the tenderness in her tone went straight to my heart, and it seemed to me a man might suffer much to be loved with love such as this. In the early afternoon Graeme came to her. She met him with both hands outstretched, saying in a low voice: "I am very happy." "Are you sure?" he asked anxiously. "Oh, yes," she said, but her voice was like a sob, "quite, quite sure!" They talked long together till I saw that Craig must soon be coming, and I called Graeme away. He held her hands, looking steadily into her eyes, and said: "You are better even than I thought. I'm going to be a better man." Her eyes filled with tears, but her smile did not fade as she answered: - "Yes, you will be a good man, and God will give you work to do." He bent his head over her bands and stepped back from her as from a queen, but he spoke no word till we came to Craig's door. Then he said. with humility that seemed strange in him: "Connor, that is great-to conquer oneself. It is worth while. I am go ing to try." I would not have missed his meeting with Craig. Nelson was busy with tea. Craig was writing near the window. He looked up as Graeme came in and nodded an easy good evening, but Graeme strode to him and, putting one hand on his shoulder, held out his oth er for Craig to take. After a-moment's surprise Craig rose to his feet and, facijug him squarely, took the offered hand in both of his and held it fast without a word. Graeme was the first to speak, and his voice was deep with emotion. "You are a great man, a good man. I'd give something to have your grit." Poor Craig stood looking at him, not daring to speak for some moments. Then he said quietly: "Not good or great, but, thank God, not quite a traitor." "Good man!" went on Graeme, pat ting him on the shoulder. "Good man! But it's tough." Craig sat down quickly, saying. "Don't do that, old chap!" I went up with Craig to Mrs. Ma vor's door. She did not hear us com ing, but stood near the window gazing up at the mountains. She was dressed in some rich soft stuff and wore at her breast a bunch of wild flowers. I had never seen her so beautiful. I did not wonder that Craig paused with his foot upon the threshold to look at her. She turned and saw us. With a glad cry, "Oh, my darling, you have come to me!" she came with ougtretched arms. I turned and fled, bt the cry and the vision were long v~ith me. It was decided that night that Mrs. Mayor should go the next week. A miner and his wife were going east, and I, -too, would join the party. The camp went into mourging at the news, but It was understooll that any display cf grief before Mrs. Mayor was bad form. She was not to be an noyed. But when I suggested that she should leave quietly and avoid the pain of say. ing goodby she flatly refused. "I must say goodby to every man. They love me, and I love them." It was decided, too, at first, that there should be nothing in the way of a testimonial, but when Craig found out that the men were coming to her with all sorts of extraordinary gifts he agreed that it would be better that they should unite in one gift. So it was agreed that I should buy a ring for her. And were it not that the contribu tions were strictly limited to $1 the purse that Slavin handed hcr when Shaw read the address at the farewell supper would have been many times filled with the gold that was pressed upon the committee. There were no speeches at the supper except one by myself in reply on Mrs. Mavor's behalf. She had given me the words to say, and I was thoroughly prepared, else I should not have got through. I began in the usual way: "Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentle men, Mrs. Mayor is" But I got no further, for at the men tion of her name the men stood on the chairs and yelled until they could yell no more. There were over 250 of them, and the effect was overpowering. But I got through my speech. I remember It well. It began: "Mrs. Mayor is greatly touched by this mark of your love, and she will wear your ring always with pride." And it ended with: "She has one request to make-that you will be true to the league and that you stand close about the man who did most to make it. She wishes me to say that, however far away she may have to go, she Is leaving her heart in Black Rock and she can think of no greater joy than to come back to you again." Then they had "The Sweet By and By," but the men would not join in the refrain, ujiwilling to lose a note of the glorious voice they loved to hear. Be fore the last verse she beckoned to me. I went to her standing by Craig's side as he played for her. "Ask them to sing," she entreated. "I cannot hear it." "Mrs. Mayor wishes you to sing in the refrain," I said, and at once the men sat up and cleared their throats. The singing was not good, but at the first sound of the hoarse notes of the men Craig's head went down over the organ, for he was thinking, I suppose, of the days before them when they would long in vain for that thrilling voice that soared high over their own hoarse tones. And after the voices died away he kept on playing till, half turning toward him, she sang alone once more the refrain in a voice low and sweet and tender, as if for him alone, and so he took It, for he smiled up at her his old smile, full of courage and full of love. Then fr onaewhnie hnnr ghesftnod saying goodby to those rough, gentle hearted men whose inspiration to good ness she had been for five years. It was very wonderful and very quiet. It was understood that there was to be no nonsense, and Abe had been heard to declare that he would "throw out any cotton backed fool" who couldn't hold himself down, and, further, he had en joined them to remember that her arm wasn't a pump handle. At last they were all gone, all but her guard of honor-Shaw, Vernon Winton, Geordie, Nixon, Abe, Nelson, Craig and myself. This was the real farewell, for, though in the early light of the next morning 200 men stood silent about the stage and as it moved out waved their hats and yelled madly, this was the last touch they had of her hand. Her place was up on the driver's seat be tween Abe and Mr. Craig, who held little Marjorie on his knee. The rest of the guard of honor were to follow with Graeme's team. It was Winton's fine sense that kept Graeme from fol lowing them close. "Let her go out alone," he said, and so we held back and watched her go. She stood with her back toward Abe's plunging four horse team and. steady Ing herself with one hand on Abe's shoulder, gazed down upon us. Her head was bare, her lips parted In a smile, her eyes glowing with their own deep light, and so, facing us, erect and smiling, she drove away, waving us farewell till Abe swung his team into the canyon road and we saw her no more. A sigh shuddered through the crowd, and, with a sob in his voice, Winton said, "God help us all!" I close my eyes and see it all again the waving crowd of dark faced men, the plunging horses, and, high up be side the driver, the swaying, smiling, waving figure, and about all the moun tains, framing the picture with their dark sides and white peaks tipped with the gold of the rising sun. It Is a pic ture I love to look upon, albeit It calls up another that I can never see but through tears. * I look across a strip of ever widening water at a group of men upon the wharf, standing with heads uncovered, every man a hero, though not a man of them suspects It, least of all the man who stands in front, strong, reso lute, self conquered, and, gazing long, I think I see him turn again to his place among the men of the mountains, not forgetting, but every day remem bering, the great love that came to him and remembering, too, that love is not all. It Is then the tears come. But for that picture two of us at least are better men today. CHAPTER XIII. now NELSON CAME HOME. the mountains and the pines were with me, and through the winter, too, busy as I was filling in my Black Rock sketches for the railway people who would still persist In ordering them by the dozen, the memory of that stirring life would come over me, and once more I would be among the silent pines and the mighty snow peaked mountains, and before me would appear the red shirt ed shanty men or dark faced miners, great, free, bold fellows, driving me al most mad with the desire to seize and fix those swiftly changing groups of picturesque figures. At such times I would drop my sketch and with eager brush seize a group, a face, a figure, and that Is how my studio comes to be filled with the men of Black Rock. There they are about me-Graeme and the men from the woods, Sandy, Bap tiste, the Campbells and, In many atti tudes and -groups, old man Nelson; Craig, too, and his miners, Shaw, Geor die, Nixon, poor old Billy and the keep er of the league saloon. It seemed as if I lived among them, and the illusion was greatly helped by the vivid letters Graeme sent me from time to time. Brief notes came now and then from Craig, too, to whom I had sent a faithful account of how I had brought Mrs. Mayor to her ship and of how I had watched her sail away with none too brave a face as she held g)her hand that bore the miners' ring and smiled with that deep light in her eyes. Ah, those eyes have driven me to despair and made me fear that I am no great painter after all, In spite of what my friends tell me who come in to smoke my good cigars and praise my brush! I can get the brow and hair and mouth and pose, but the eyes--the eyes* elude me. And the faces of Mrs. Mayor on my wall, that the men praise and rave over, are not such as I could show to any of the men from the mountains. Greme's letters tell me chiefly about Craig and his doings and about old man Nelson, while frsom Craig I hear about Graeme and how he and Nelson are standing at his back and doing what they can to fill the gap that nev er can be filled. The three are much together, I can see, and I am glad for them all, but chiefly for Craig, whose face, grief stricken, but resolute and often gentle as a woman's, will noe leave me or let me rest in peace. The note of thanks he sent me was entirely characteristic. There were no heroics, much less pining or self pity. It was simple and manly, not ignoring the pain, but making much of the joy. And then they had their work to do. That note, so clear, so manly, so nobly sensible, stiffens my back yet at times. In the spring came the startling news that Black Rock would soon be no more. The mines were to close down on April 1. The company, haing al lured the confiding public with entic ing descriptions of marvelous drifts, veins, assays and prospects and having expended vast sums of the public's money in developing the mines till the assurance of their reliability was ab solutely final, calmly shut down and vanished. With their vanishing van ishes Black Rock, not without loss and much deep cursing on the part of the men brought some hundreds of miles to aid the company in its extraordina ry and wholly inexvplicable game. Personally it grieved me to think that my plan of returning to Black Rock could never be carried out. It was a great compensation, however, that the three men most representative to me of that life were soon to visit me actually in my own home and den. Grneme's letter said that in one month they might be expected to appear. At least he and Nelson were soon to come, and Craig would soon follow. On receiving the great news I at once looked up young Nelson and his sister, and we proceeded to celebrate the joy ful prospect with a specially good din nr. I found the greatest delight in picturing thc joy and pride of the old man in his children, whom he had not seen for fifteen or sixteen years. The mother had died some five years be fore. Then the farm was sold, and the brothr and sister came into the city, and any father aight be proud of them. The son was a weil made young fellow, handsome enough, thoughtful and solid looking. The girl reminded me of her father. The same resolution was seen~ In mouth and jaw, and the same pas zion slumbered In the dark gray eves. She was not beautiful, but she carried herself well, and one would always look at her twice. It would be worth soinething to see the meeting between father and daughter. But fate, the greatest artist of us all, takes little count of the careful draw ing and the bright coloring of our fan cy's pictures, but with rude hand de ranges all and with one swift sweep paints out the bright and paints in the dark. and this trick he served me when one June night, after long and anxious waiting for some word from the west, my door suddenly opened and Graeme walked in upon me like a specter, gray and voiceless. My shout of welcome was choked back by the look in his face. and I could only gaze at him and wait for his word. le gripped my hand, tried to speak, but failed to make words come. "Sit down, old man," I said, pushing him into my chair. "and take your time." le obeyed, looking up at me with burning, sleepless eyes. My heart was sore for his misery, and I said: "Don't mind, old chap. It can't be so awfully bad. You're here safe and sound at any rate." And so I went on to give him time, but he shuddered and looked round and groaned. "Now, look here, Graeme, let's have it. When did you land here? Where Is Nelson? Why didn't you bring him p?" "He Is at the station in. his coffin," he answered slowly. "In his cotfin?" I echoed, my beauti ful pictures all vanishing. "How was It?" "Through my cursed folly," he groan ed bitterly. "What happened?" I asked. But, ignoring my question, he said: "I must see his children. I have not slept for four nights. I hardly know what I am doing, but I can't rest till I see his children. I promised him. Get them for me." "Tomorrow will do. Go to sleep now, and we shall arrange everything to morrow," I urged. "No," he said fiercely; "tonight, now!" In half an hour they were listening, pale and grief stricken, to the story of their father's death. Poor Graeme was relentless In his self condemnation as he told how, through his "cursed folly," old Nelson was killed. The three-Craig Graeme and Nelson-had come as far as Victo ria together. There they left Craig and came on to San Francisco. In an evil hour Graeme met a companion of other and evil days, and It was not long till the old fever came upon him. In vain Nelson warned and pleaded. The readtion from the monotony and poverty of camp life to the excitement and luxury of the San Francisco gam ing palaces swung Graeme quite off his feet, and all that Nelson could do was to follow from place to place and keep watch. "And there he would sit," said Graeme In a hard, bitter voice, "wait ing and watching often till the gray morning light, while my madness held me fast to the table. One night" here he paused a moment, put his face in his hands and shuddered, but quick ly he was master of himself again and went on in the same hard voice-"one night my partner and I were playing two men who had done us up before. I knew they were cheating, but could not detect them. Game after game they won till I was furious at my stupidity in not being able to catch them. Happening to glance at Nelson in the corner, I caught a meaning look, and, looking again, he threw me a signal. I knew at once what the fraud was and next game charged the fellow with It. He gave me the lie. I struck his mouth, but before I could draw my gun his partner had me by the arms. What followed I hardly know. While I was struggling to get free I saw him reach for his weapon, but as he drew it Nelson sprang across the table and bore him down. When the row was over, three men lay on the floor. One was Nelson. He took the shot meant for me." Again the story paused. "And the man that shot him?" I started at the intense fierceness in the voice and, looking upon the girl, saw her eyes blazing with a terrible light "He is dead," answered Graeme in differently. "You kilied him?" she asked eagerly. Graemne looked at her curiously and answered slowly: "I did not mean to. He came at me. I struck him harder than I knew. He never moved." She drew a sigh of satisfaction and waited. "I got him to a private ward, had the best doctor in the city and sent for Craig to Victoria. For three days we thought he would live-he was keen to get home-but by the time Craig came we had given up hope. Oh, but I was thankful to see Craig come in, and the joy in the old man's eyes was beautiful to see! There was no pain at last and no fear. Hie would not allow me to re proach myself, saying over and over, 'You would have done the same for me,' as I would, fast enough, 'and it is better me than you. I am old and done. You will do much good yet for the boys.' And he kept looking at me till could only promise to do my best "But I am glad I told him-how much good he had done me during the last year. for he seemed to think that too good to be true, and when Craig told him how he had helped the boys in the camp and how Sandy and Baptiste id the Campbells would always be better men for his life among them the old man's face actually shond as if light were coming through, and with surprise and joy he kept on saying: 'Do you think so? Do you think so? Perhaps so, perhaps so.' At the last he talked of Christmas night at the camp. You were there, you rcmember. Craig bad been holding a service, and some thing happened, I don't know what, but they both knew." "I know," I said. and I saw again the picture of the old man under the pine, upon his knees In the snow. with his face turned up to the stars. "Whatevcr it was, it wvas in his mind at the very last, and I can never forget his face as he turned it to Craig. One ears of such things. I had often, but had never put much faith in them. But joy. rapture, triumph-these are what were in his face as he said, his breath comag short: 'You said--he wouldn't-fail me-you tver'eright-not once-not once-he stuck to me-I'm glad he told me-thank God-for you-you showed-me-I'li see him-and-te'l him'- And Craig, kneeling beside him so steady-I was ehavig like a fool-smiled down trough his streaming tears into the lim eyes so brightly till they could see ao more. Thank him for that! He help yd the old man through, and he helped ne, too, that night, thank Cod!" And Graeme's 'voice, hard till now, roke in a sob. He had forgotten us and was back beside his passing friend, and all his self control couldl not keep back the owing tears. "It -a hs lnfe fror mine," he said huskily. The brother and sister were quietly weeping, but spoke no word, though I knew Graeme was waiting for them. I took up the word and told of what I had known of Nelson and his influ ence upon the men of Black Rock. They listened eagerly enough, but still without speaking. There seemed noth ing to say till I suggested to Graeme that he must get some rest. Then the girl turned to him and, impulsively put ting out her hand, said: "Oh, it is all so sad, but how can we ever thank you?" "Thank me?" gasped Graeme. "Can you forgive me? I brought him to his death." "No, no! You must not say so!" she answered hurriedly. "You would have done the same for him." "God knows I would," said Graeme earnestly, "and God bless you for your words!" And I was thankful to see the tears start in his dry, burning eyes. We carried him to the old home in the country, that he might lie by the' side of the wife he had loved 'and wronged. A few friends met us at the wayside station and followed in sad procession along the country road that wound past farms and through woods and at last up to the ascent where the quaint old wooden church, black with the rains and snows of many years, stood among its silent graves. The lit tle graveyard sloped gently toward the setting sun, and from it one could see, far on eve-y side, the fields of grain and meadowland that wandered off over softly undulating hills to meet the maple woods at the horizon, dark, green and cool. Here and there white farmhouses, with great barns standing near, looked out from clustering or chards. Up the grass grown walk and through the crowding mounds, over which waves uncut the long, tangling grass, we bear our friend and let him gently down into the kindly bosom of Mother Earth, dark, moist and warm. The sound of a distant cowbell mingles with the voice'of the last prayer; the clods drop heavily with heart startling echo; the mound is heaped and shaped by kindly friends, sharing with one another the task; the lonj, rough sods are laid over and patted thto place; the old minister takes farewell in a few words of gentle sympathy; the brother and sister, with lingering looks at the two graves side by side, the old and the new, step into the farmer's car riage and drive away; the sexton locks the gate and goes home, and we are left outside alone. Then we went back and stood by Nelson's grave. After a long silence Graeme spoke. "Connor, he did not grudge his life to me, and I think," and here the words came slowly, "I understand now what that means, 'Who loved me and gave himself for me.'" Then, taking off his hat, he said rev erently: "By God's help, Nelson's life shall not end, but shall go on. Yes, old man," looking down upon the grave, "I'm with you," and, lifting up his face to the calm sky. "God help me to be true!" Then he turned and walked briskly away, as one might who had pressing business or as soldiers march from a comrade's grave to a merry, tune, not that they have forgotten, but they have still to fight And this was the way old man Nel son came home. [rO BE CoNTn!VD.J PINGIPONI By G. B. BURGIN I T is all over; finished; ,done with; exhausted! So am I! So is Miranda! But little Noel Hartley is as fresh as a rose and wonders why the Rev. Arthur Greatorex thinks so much of her. The Rev. Arthur also wonders - many things. In crises like these Miranda and I have sometimes hinted desperately to one another of an eternal Separation, with a capital S. We have drawn pathetic pictures of how we would di vide everything between us, and she should go and live with her mother, while I strode into. life's highway, manfully putting the past behind me in order to become great, and, instead of goIng to theaters, spend my even ings sitting by t!l'e fire, waiting her footstep on the stair. Miranda would always get quite worked up by this pa thetic picture until she remembered that it was useless taking half the things, because her mother had no In tention of turning the house into a storage company for the furniture of others. So the trouble generally blew over. But this time it went as far as my making out a list of the things In my "den" before we were reconciled. Miranda saw then that she was on the brink of an awful precipice, and it made her shiver. So it did me, be cause there's a beautiful bronze Brit ish lion ' (from Japan) in my "den" which she has set her heart upon hav ing, and I know we should have squab bled over that. When she says, "Dicky, you're such a dear!" pats my brow and with the other hand takes the very thing I don't want her to have, the pathos of the situation degenerates in to farce, and-and-oh, you know what young wives are like! The next time I marry I shall choose a solid, estima ble lady of mature age, with a false front and without what little Noel calls "parlor tricks." As soon as Miranda told the Rev. Arthur Greatorex about her projected pingpong tournament he smiled in a pleased way and said that he himself would be the first to take a two shil ling tick-et. Ie also threw out dark hints that Miss Jarvis would like to be asked. They're not really engaged, be cause the Rev. Arthur hasn't enough money to marry, but he calls Miss Jar vis "dear sister" and looks at her, If he thinks he is unobserved, in the same way that Sir Lancelot did at Guinevere when King Arthur was out. Of course Miranda knew all about this "ge-hilty passion," as she calls it, and that was why she told Miss Jarvis that the Rev. Arthur was going to play and then in formed him that Miss Jarvis would also be there. So she had them "in the net," as It were, and the members of the blanket club almost cried when told they were too old to play. To please them, Miranda made a special rule thait if they liked to take tickets they could get some one else to play for them, and, as the old men were fond of excitement, they pawned their rea ining blankets and bought twelve ticets for the tournament. "It do my Turned Out To Be A Scoundrel. "What have you ever done ibout that mining stock you once >wned?' "I got cheated out of it." "How? I thought it was worthless and jumped at a 3hance to urload it on a green Iorn. It turned out to be im mensely valuable, and-the scoun Irel who bought it fromi me knew it all the time. "-Wash ington Evening Star. A Missouri editor apologizes to his readers for the lack of aews as follows, which shows the trials to which a country editor is often subject: "We ex pected to have a marriage and a leath notice this week, but a violent storm prevented the wedding, and the doctor being ick himself, the patient recov ared, and we are accordingly -heated out of both items." GeotS.acker &Son C= C6 Doors, Sash, Blinds, Noulding and Buildixie Material, CHARLESTON, S.Q. Sash Weights and Cords, Hardware and Paints / Nindow and Fancy Glass a Sbecialt TO CONSUMERS OF Lager Beer. We are now inposition to ship our Beer all over the State at the following prices: EXPORT. [mperial Brew-Pints, at $L.10 per doz. Euffheiser-Pints, at .....90e per doza Germania P. M.-Pats, at 90e per dz. GERMAI MALT EX 'I RACT. A liquid Tonic and.Food for Nursing Kothers and Invalics. Brewed from the highest grade of Barley Malt and [mported Hops, at....1.10 per doz, For sale by all Dispensaries, or send in your orders direct. All orders shall have our prompt and careful attention. Cash must accompany all orders. QERMANIA BREWING COs. Charleston, S. C. IS YELLOW POISON in your blood ? Physicians calf it tlalarial Glerm. It can be seen changing red blood yellow under microscope. It works day and night. First, it turns your com plexion yelldw. Chlly, aching sensations creep down your backbone. You feel weak and worthless. ROBERTS' CHILL TONIC will stop the trouble now. It enters the blood at once and drives out the yellow poIson. If neglected and when Chills, Fevers, Nlght-Sweatsandagen-. eral break-down come later on, Roberts' Tonic will cure you then-but why wait ? Prevent future sickness. The manufa turers know all about this yel low poison and have perfected Roberts' Tonic to drive It out, nourish your system, restore appetite, purify the blood, pre vent and cure Chills, Fevers and Malaria. It has cured thous ands-It will cure you, or your mone back. This is fair. Try it. Prct25 cents. THE R. B. LORYEA DRUC STORE. WHEN YOU COME. TO TOWN CALL AT -WELLS' SHAVING SALOON Which i., ltttti up with an cv~e to the comfort of his enstom erq. .. ... HAIR CUTTING IN ALL STYLES, SH AVING AMt SHAMPOOING A cordial 'nvitation ' i extended... J. L. WELLS. Manning Times Block. arolina Portland Cement Company, Charleston, S. C. QAGER'S White Lime las no equal for quality, strength and looperage. Packed in Heavy Cooper Lge and Standard Cooperage. Also dealers in Portland Cement, bsendale Cement, Fire Brick, Roofing apers. Terra Cotta Pipe, etc. JOS. F. RHA3.IE. J. H!. LESESNE. HAE& LESESNE, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, MANNING, S. C. J. S. WILSON. W. C. DURANT WILSON & DURANT, Attorneys and Counselors at Lau-, MANNING, S. C.