Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-09-11

/
dies or with singers, musicians. hair
dressers and other balloons. Permit
me-" and he raised her hand to his lips
You look divine this morning 1t is
long since haSe seen you look so per.
fectly charming
The lady murmured something. She
| was one of those women who like
above all things to hear praises of
what most they prize. their beauty, and
to believe what they most desire to he
the truth, the preservation and perfect.
Ing of that beauty.
But you came to see me alone. Was
it to tell me that I look charming?
Other men tell me MS much in compa.
ny"
Net altogether that. dear lady,
though that is something. l come to
tell you of change of Plans
You have heard that the grand jury
of Middlesex has presented me by
| know not what, because hold my
bank on Sunday nights?'
81 have heard something of the mat
ter. 1t is almost time, think. to give
| these prcsumptuous shopkeepers Il les
son not to interfere with the pursuits
of persons of rank Let them contine
themselves to the prenticcs who play
! at pitch and toss"
"Oh, what matters their present
ment? shall continue to keep the
bank on Sunday nights. Now, my dear
lord. what about these plans? What is
changedw
Eve thought, you remember. about
going to Tunbridsc in July"
well. shall we not 90 there?"
perhaps. But there is something to
be done first. Let me conii,le in you
"My dear lord, you have never con-
iided in anybody"
Except in you. think You know
all my secrets, if | have any. In whom
else can coniide? In the creatures
who importune me for places? In
friends of the green table? In friends
of the race course? My dear Annstasia,
you know. assure you, as much about
my personal affairs us know myself"
IF you would always speak so kind
| ly" Her eyes became humid, but not
fearful. A lady of fashion must not
spoil her cheek by tears.
We'll. then, the case is this: You
know of the condition of my affairs
no one better. An opportunity presents
itself to effect n great Improvement. l
am invited by the highest parsonage to
take more active part in the affairs Of
state. No one is to know this. For
reasons connected with this proposal
am to visit certain town,-a trading
town, town of rough sailors-there
to conduct certain inquiries. There is
to be a gathering at this town of the
gentry and people of the county. Would
you like to go. my dear friend? 1t
will be next month";"
ITO leave town and in May, just be-
fore the end Of the season?"
"There will be opportunities, l am
told, Of holding bank, and n good
many sportsmen-'tis 4 sporting coun-
ty,-may be expected to lay their mon
ey. In word, Anastasia, it will not
be n bad exchange"
"And how can I help you? Why
should go there?"
"By letting the people, the county
people, understand the many virtues
and graces which distinguish my char
acter. No one knows me better than
yourself
The lady smiled. no one" she muir
INJURED.
-'or can speak with greater authority
on the subject. There will be certain
of our friends there-the parson, Sir
Harry, the colonel"
"Pah, beggarly crew and blown up
on! They are dangerous"
Not at this quiet and secluded town.
They will be strangers to you as well
as to me. And they will be useful.
After all, in such place you need an
opening. They will lead the way"
The lady made no response.
~ may call 1t settled, then?" He
still held her hand. "If you would
rather hot so, Anastasia, will find
some one else, but had hoped
She drew away her hand. "You are
| right, she silu. NO one KNOWS you
so well Us myself. And all know
about you is that you are always con-
trivlng some devilry. What is 1t this
time? But you will not tell me. You
never tell me-"
"Anastasia, you do me an injustice.
This is a purely political step"
"As you will. Call 1t what you
please. am your servant, you know
that; your handmade in all things save
one. Not for any other woman, Ludo-
wick, not for any other unfortunate
woman, will lift my little finger.
Should you betray me in this respect
He laughed. "a. woman? And in
that company Rest easy, dear child.
Be jealous as much US you please, but
not with such cause"
He touched her cheek with his finger.
He stopped and kissed her hand and
withdrew.
Lady Anastasia stood awhile where
he left her. The Joy had gone out of
her heart. She trembled. She was
seized with forebodlng of evil. She
threw herself upon the sofa and buried
her face in her hands, and, forgetful OF
paste and patch and paint, she suffered
the murderous tears to destroy that
work Of art, her finished face.