Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-10-03
Observation-Disclosures
THE KING 6TsssAR 4
oHE bright spring sunshine was
pouring in at the window, fleck-
sIsss8sssssss8sssss

@HE bright spring sunshine was
pouring in at the window, aeck-
ing with gold the hair Of young
girl who stood gazing ut photograph
In a heart-shaped silver frame, which
held the place OF honor on the mantel-
piece, Her thoughts were evidently
far away from her surroundings, us
she failed to hear footsteps approach
ing, and was only recalled to herself
by the maid announcing captain
Stewart" A flush Of burning color
swept over Elsie's face, and quick as
thought she snatched the heart-shaped
frame from its place, and holding 1t IN
her left hand, advanced to meet tall,
fair man, whose pale face showed signs
of recent illness, and who carried his
right arm in sling.
sWhy, Jack!' she said, 81 had no idea
you were in London; did the doctors
give you permission to travel?'
Her pretty face was still flushed, and
after answering her questions as to his
health, Jack Stewart felt difficulty In
returning to their old friendly footing;
there was subtle difference in her
manner to him that made him vaguely
uneasy.
So it was more by way Of converse
ton than a desire for Information that
Jack asked. laughingly:
"And who Is the King of Hearts
now? Roberts, Kitchener or BullerY'
Then as his glance fell on the vacant
place on the mantel-piece. he started
and said, more seriously:
"The King of Hearts not in his ac-
customed place! What Is the meaning
of this, Elsle?"
Once more blush swept from brow
to chin, and Elsie. averting her eyes,
remained silent. Then 1t was that
caught sight Of the frame in her left
hand.
"Why, you have It thersy he said in
establishment. MAY not see your
new hero2" Then, Elsie remaining ST.
lent, with his free hand, gently took
the frame from her unresisting clasp,
and without looking ut 1t, laid It face
downward on table near, and, resum-
ing his seat by her side, looked at her
with troubled eyes.
But three short months Ind passed
since he had sat in that room, and had
learned from her lips that though she
did not love him, she loved no one else;
and he had started Off to South Africa
with his regiment. buoyed up with
hopes of ultimately gaining her love
A month ago he had been invalided
home, and ms soon US his doctors had
pronounced 1t safe for him to,travel he
had come straight to Elsie, only to FIND
she had a secret from him that bade
fair to lessen his hopes. From child
hood Elsie had been hero-worshipel
Of the most ardent kind, and had n col
lection of her heroes photographs thai
would fill good-sized album. On hel
fifteenth birthday Jack had given hel
q heart-shaped photo frame, which wa
destined to contain her hero Of the mo
ment, who was laughingly dubbed b!
Jack the king of Hearts,"
Many and various were the faces hi
had seen in that frame, but now HI
feared that the real king had come
who would not only retain undlsputet
possession of the photo frame, Blu
would also reign in Elsie's heart.
With a visible effort Jack Stewar
reused himself from his painful
thoughts, and turning to Elsie said:
.'As l may not see your new hero
perhaps you will tell me about him?"
Anything you ask me, except hi
name" she replied. meeting his gaz
for the first time.
He is a soldier. of course?"
"Yes," she answered quietly.
"Good-looking."
every good-looking," she said earn
estly, but with averted face.
Jack. feeling his fears confirmed b,
her tone. went on hurriedly:
"Well, we have got this far. at an.
rate; he is physically perfect"
II did not quite say that" she said
looking mischievously at him.
mo doubt you mean that. VIVA
about his charaeter. Do YOU know hin
very welli"