Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-12-19
CHAPTER III.

That evening was made memorable
for two things-one that happened at
Maidenhead, and one that happened
elsewhere. But how could one foresee?
How sad it is that God, who sends us
the warning, has not endowed us with
intelligence enough to understand 1t.
Much could not be expected from boy
of 15,- though even he might have seen
something had he taken the trouble to
look. But in no way was the superior
of other boys. Power was not given
me to peer behind the curtain of the
future.
That night passed very pleasantly.
We drove into Maidenhead, as arrang-
ed; had dinner there and afterward
visited the entertainment, over which,
Il remember. roared with laughter.
I would give something to be able to
laugh now over such imbeciIties. but
l think all the laughter died in me that
night. Just as some men dissipate
wildly before they blow their brains
out or crack jokes In the face Of death,
so drew the longest, loudest and last
note Of laughter out Of me on that oc-
casion-that is, laughter free of
thought, of intellectual restraint. Some
times l would like to laugh, but re-
membering stop us one who has no
right to be merry. The bone clapping
Christy is to me sight as sad as
death itself; the jar and Jingle Of the
tambourine set every nerve In me shud-
dering.
The drive back after the perform
ance was delightful, albeit that the
night was very dark. But 1t was a
clear, good road, our horse was sure
footed beast, and Uncle Jim, who was
an excellent whip, knew every inch of
the way. So we dashed along in fine
style, the great lamps projecting their
glare into the gloom beyond. My un-
Gle had lit his pipe, and being, like my
self, in excellent spirits he chanted
snatches of the comic songs we had
but lately heard. And yet over there
through the darkness, where we could
not see, what was happening? Oh,
heavens!
I slept SO soundly that night that !
did not wake until close upon 9 o'clock
Of the following morning, and then II
was the opening of my door that caus-
ed me to raise my heavy eyelids. There
stood Uncle Jim, the inevitable pipe
between his lips.
"Now, then, sleepyhead," he cried
fare You going to stay there all dayW
Once awakened 1t did not take me
long to dress, and after a sturdy break
fast I reported myself to him in thu
stable yard, and about an hour aftel
we set out on our return Journey. Ant
still no shadow darkened the sun. TIT
air was fresh and balmy. drew 1t IL
deeply and hummed to the whirl Of thu
| wheels.
was not q little astonished upor
driving up to our gate to see that the
blinds had not yet been drawn, for my
mother was usually an early riser, Enc
I knew that one of her first acts was
to draw the blinds and open the win
dows. My uncle also noticed that some
thing was amiss and made some jocu
lar allusion to the household having
oversight itself, then bidding me hurry
and wake them up. | sprang from thu
trap, opened the gate and rushed w
the path; but, though knocked loudly
upon the door, l received no answer t.
my summons. l knocked again ant
again and put my ear close to the key
hole, hoping to hear the sound of he
feet, the swish of her skirts, as sh,
came along the passage, but an awfu
stiffness pervaded the whole house,
stiffness which fell like chill upon me
Leaving the door, went first to thu
dining room window. then to that o
the drawing room, but they were boil
securely fastened. Trapped on each o
them in turn, and still no answer cam
to relieve the sickening anxiety whicl
had now taken possession of me.
Cant you make them hear" shout
ed my uncle, who, sitting high mp II
his dogcart, easily overlooked the gat
and commanded view of the path
way.
i shook my head.
Then go round to the back and se
IL you can find the girl. suppose you
mother has gone to do her marketing
Ours was square, two storied build
ing standing in Its own grounds. Be
fore 1t was a pretty little patch o
flower garden which gave on to tn
roadway; behind was our kitchen gar
4 den, inclosed by low brick wall. Be
1 yond that again were fields and In tn
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