Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-07-05
III don t care, said Alan Stacey dog.

Wotlu Will uot ue tnS SillalleSt uSe 10
me. They do not interest me, and they
do not please me, and refuse to be
badgered into meditations which only
irritate and annoy me. Do you go and
look at the tomb and stay there. l shall
not complain, shall never grumble at
your choice of habitation."
Poor thing! He means well, said
Mary when the energetic sightseer had
departed.
II dare say he does,'' Alan replied,
with laugh, "but wish he'd go and
mean well somewhere else. Let US move
on. You said yesterday that you would
like to go to Bella Villa Let US go to
Bella Villa and lose him"
They worked their way home from
Italy at last, returning by way of the
Riviera, and the middle of May saw
Mrs. Alan Stacey settled in the beauti
fu, old house Mt Fulham, with what
was practically the world at her feet.
How happy she was She had been
used to think that. no matter what fate
awaited her in the future, the horror,
the sickening dread, the terror, the re-
pugnance. the shuddering misery. OF the
past would always be with her. But it
was not so. Time, the wonderful ply
stefan, taught her to forget. and by the
time she found herself installed in the
Fulham house she might, so far as her
feelings went, have been Mrs. Alan
Stacey for ten years instead of little
more than as many weeks.
On the very first morning after their
arrival home she sent for the housekeep-
er who had been left in charge of the
Sycamores at the time of their mar
riage.
II sent for you" said Mrs. Stacey
gently, because it is better that we
should begin with clear understand
ing of how we mean to go on. You will
quite understand that as shall con-
tinue to help Mr.. Stacey with his work
shall have no time for housekeep-
ing. You understand Mr.. Stacey's
ways, his likes and dislikes. He has
been admirably satisfied with you in
the past, and would like you to know
now that desire to make no change
So long as you continue to satisfy your
master you will sa ,fy me. You will
please continue exactly as you have
done heretofore-your accounts. your
menus, everything just as before. Oc-
casionally may make a suggestion to
you if there is some dish that should
like to have, or if we are having visit
ors may like to make some little al
terations in the menu, but as general
rule do not wish to be troubled with
any housekeeping arrangements"
The housekeeper, who was French
woman and thoroughly knew the value
of good place, thanked her mistress
and assured her of her fidelity and de.
votion.
Then Mary rang the bell, and wher
John came in answer to the summons
she told him to shut the door; that sht
wished to speak to him.
"John, she said, ~ have just beer
talking to Nine. Boniface and telling
her that wish your masters marriage
to make no difference in the domesti,
arrangements. You have satisfied hin
for many years, and hope you will
continue to satisfy him for many year
longer. may have to give you few
orders, but ON the whole wish you t.
continue precisely as you have Away
done"
Il "You would like to have the key Q
the cellar, ma amt" said John politely
He had no more intention Of giving u
the key of the cellar than he had c
giving up the use of his Senses but I
make the offer was the highest compli
ment he could pay to his new mistress
Mary laughed outright. "No, John,
she said; 81 do not think the key of th
cellar would be of very much use to me
lam frightened of cellars. to tell 20
the truth, and l shouldn't know on
bottle of wine from another. No, John
you understand Mr.. Stacey's ways, an
, you will please just do for him as 20
have been accustomed to do. ! don
think that his marriage-our marriae
Twill make him more difficult
please hope quite the contrary. Blu
thank you, John, for offering me IL
, key Of the cellar. ! am sure it is yer
, great compliment, and appreciate
, highly"
IL And then she smilingly dismisse
him, and John went away feeling tina
after all, his master had done the vel
best possible thing for himself.
/, Then she and Alan settled down
real hard grinding work. He declare
many times that never in the who
course of his existence had he be.
kept to work so ruthlessly and SO pc
r sistently as by his new task mistress.
a "By Jove, if l had thought that "
were going to goad me on like this.
should have thought twice before
asked you to come here for good al
al"
"Oh, no, you wouldn't" said Mar
SIT is very good for you, and you kne
you are perfectly happy. SO don't pr
tend anything else"
And it was true enough. She CT
tainly managed him and his work a
mirably, for by keeping him up to t
mark for certain hours she was able
be free herself at fixed time every da
And there was never an idle minute I
either of them, for, as I said avn
ago. Alan Stacey had always been
persona grata in society, and his ma
friends all seemed but too anxious
receive his wife with open arms
It was brilliant life. All that W
best and brightest in the great world
art focked to Alan Stacey's house NJ
that it boasted of SO charming m
I'd tress. Mrs. Alan Stacey went evei
where and was noted wherever s
Z went. Almost every day, in the C
ne umns devoted to the doings of W
IL known people, there was mention Of I
he brilliant novelist and his wife. E
hit dress, her receptions, her tastes, WI
i'd continually chronicled, and for his IS
ad for Mary was singularly farseeing
er everything that concerned her husba
she put herself to immense pains
ordor that aho should alyvpyS croatia