Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-11-22

WAS HOt Merlel engaged 10 Rupert
and was not he, Sir Spenthorne, The
rich, elderly uncle, who had come tt
make all things smooth for them?
As he returned to his inn one evening
after delightful expedition in the
woods with Meriel and half a dozer
young brothers and sisters he found Q
telegram waiting for him:
"Am coming down to-morrow-get
ting anxious. RUPERT"
Sir Spenthorne felt his heart sud
denly grow cold. Good heaven! What
folly was this? Why should he mind
his nephew coming down? he asked
himself, impatiently-but in his heart
of hearts Sir Spenthorne knew the rea.
son why.
He put the telegram in his pocket
and walked across the road to the rec
tors house. The small servant showed
him in. '"Mr. Spens" was quite a
friend Of the family.
Merfel was alone. filling china bowl
with June roses. Her face was flushed
and there were traces of tears on her
cheeks.
What is it," asked "Mr. spens,''
nking her hand.
Nothing"
Nothing-and you are crying?
I'm n fool" cried Meriel passionate.
~. ITS nothing; there is man, who
wants to marry me-father wishes II
md Two sold syoes opd hos o,,..i,,..
down tomorrow; that's ALL
But" said "Mr. spens" gently,
"don't you like him?'
Meriel turned a scared face to him
II didn't mind him-at FIRST" she
said.
"Well?"
"Well-nothing.v The girl turned to
the window and looked out into the
shadowy evening.
."Tell me-" said "Afr. Spensr with a
sudden thrill in his voice-"tell me all
about it"
There's nothing to tell. He was a
nice little man, and he asked father,
and father said If he died there would
be nothing for us,and it would comfort
him to know one of his daughters was
provided for. And though father
looks well and strong, it seems he has
something wrong with his heart, and
he might die at any time-and SO /
said yes"
II see," said "Mr. Spens' quietly.
But why is it more tragic now than
before?
But Meriel wouldn't answer him,
and kept her head obstlnately turned
away, and "Ir. Spens' rose.
Il see it's no use asking you to con-
fide In me-" he said at last. Then
Meriel turned on him.
"Oh, go, gow she cried. And Sir
Spenthorne, turning, left the room
without another word.
MY God!" he said to himself ms he
walked across the road to the inn, 81
believe she might have liked me, old
fellow as am"
what an awful thing!"
Eyes, it's desperate business. /
have telegraphed to the young fellow
she's engaged to-"
Have you told him it's smallpox ~
Yes
"Look here, Ray, there's something
l want to tell you. am Rupert Car
macs uncle. wanted to see the girl
he was going to marry to have the op-
portunity Of judging her, and had
made up my mind to make things right
for them"
Heaven knows ii there will be any
right, said the poor rector, too dis
tracted to give much heed to Sir spen-
thorne's words. "Ah! thank goodness,
there is Rupert.''
A fly drove up to the door of the inn,
and Rupert, looking somewhat flurried,
got out.
"Of course, l came at once" he said,
in an embarrassed tones "but L hope
Meriel does not expect to see me.
Smallpox is an awfully infectious
thing
My daughter does not even know
that have sent for you," said the rec
tor, stiffy. II thought it right to do SO
she is very ILL.," His voice broke, and
he turned impatiently away. He had
urged his daughter to accept Rupert
Carnac, and he did not quite like the
light in which Rupert was showing
himself. Sir Spenthorne said nothing,
but his lips frightened, and there was a
look on his face the reverse Of compli-
mentary to his nephew.
During the weeks that followed
young Rupert was very much bored,
and only the fear of his uncle kept him
in SISTED. Sir Spenthorne rather
avoided his nephew, and was, besides,
too desperately anxious to care for
anybody's society. The terrible illness
dragged its weary length along, but Mt
last day came when the doctors pro-
nounced Meriel to be out Of danger,
and said that she might see Rupert.
When the young man was admitted
into the darkened room and caught
sight Of the swollen face and blurred
Textures dimly seen in the uncertain
light, he tried in vain to conceal his
feelings.
ITS horrible, isn't it?' she asked,
wistfully. mo one could love me
now"
Rupert was silent from embarrass-
ment.
You know you are quite free, Ru-
merit " Mprie1 r0isnd l,arc ole IN hos ~