Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-09-19

suf...11al Ill., perfnct. Hrech and
you'll never catch ne 50 fur west of
New York again."
ooh. you don't know the west yet,
my dear" replied her brother "Thls
has been an unfortunate trip, but you
mustn't blame the country for our ex-
ceptionally trying experience"
II like the country well enough" was
the response. "rhe scenery is lnagniti-
cent, and the climate is superb, but
must confess don't admire some Of Its
products-the Dalton gang, for In
stance" she concluded, laughing.
well, can't blame you for that,
only l had hoped to show you some
thing of the west at It's best before We
turned our faces toward the rising sun
again. What do the girls sayl"
'"rhe girls say, Stand not upon the
order of your going. but go quickly"
said saucy Madge. "Flo and have
settled everything. We don't want any
more adventures. We've seen enough
Of the country, and the people can
wait. We want to go home" and she
put I'LL hluChlc6 Ill lttl YVES aluu pIC-
tended to boo-hoo like spoiled child.
Draper turned to Florence for conflr-
nation, who said:
II don't want to seem ungrateful, hut
should like to get back to New York"
"Wcll. Ives, my boy" said their host,
"you and evidently have no option-in
the matter, but us n mere matter of
pollteness should like to hear your
wishes"
"Oh, I'm for New York." was the un-
blushing reply. "You know my leave
expires tomorrow" But the rogue had
taken his cue from Madge. II she had
said, "Sttp," he would have found
means to square the office for few
days longer.
"That settles i'll" said Uncle John.
"I'm in a hopeless minority, and, to be
frank with you, I want to get back
| myself" And then he told them Of
Filley's disappearance with the money
intended for their ransom.
"The wretch!" Missed Florence Gran
Mss, her usually pale face white with
indignation. 1--WE might have been
murdered for NIL he cared! always
dislilted him, but almost came to hate
him on this trip. So there!" And she
subsidized into chair, all quivering
with the unwonted excitement.
Mrs. Hurst beheld this little outburst
with quiet satisfaction. If nothing
else had been accomplished, Filley had
put himself out of the running, and the
danger was past. That Florence ever
regarded the man seriously she had
never been quite able to credit Now II
was John Diapers turn, and he should
have his innings before New York was
reached.
"Then 1t was Ches-Mr. Ives-whc
really saved us after all?s said Madge
"What should we have done without
your" she said. The words We're sim
pie and commonplace enough, but the
tone md the gtafxe Which nccotapa
MED them We're eloquent Of honest ad
miration and maidenly liking. Mrs
Hurst saw and in that instant submit
ted to the inevitable.
ayes; we certainly owe our safety tt
Chester" said Uncle John. ~ should
never have thought of the little rive
as means of escape, and If had I'm
too fat to wrlggle along like an eel In {
water pipe. All, Ches, my boy, it's vol
youngsters who capture all the bes
things in life after all, and we old fel
lows have to put up with what is left,
sighed Uncle John in mock dismay.
But Florence would none Of this ani
came to the, rescue.
why, Mr.. Draper, what would W,
poor women have done If you had lef
us?''
yes" chimed In Ives, modestly an1
ious to change the direction Of the con
versation; at needed more courage an,
fortitude to stay behind In that den o
thieves than 1t did to cut and run. TIL
only cur in the party vanished. and W
can thank our stars that he did us non
of the mischief he intended"
J So saying he rose and went to tn
window where N1adge was gain
dawn at the busy life of the Quee
City Of the Plains, and we will not dis
turb them.
"HOw soon can we start, JohnY' que
ried Mrs. Hurst.
"This very evening"" was the repl!
eve can so enst with the flier at
o'clock. Is it agreed?"
"Oh, yes! Let us get away" begge
Florence, and thus it was settled.
To Be Continued.