Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-09-18

1t lpus the old CtssU tat stepped into the
room.
less ut her feet! 1t was not cheerful
reflection, and yet he took a certain
delight in his expiation. Perhaps he
had half believed in her without know
ing it. What could he do or say? re-
greet to say he lodged the question
meanly.
"And you think your disguise escaped
detection:" he said, looking markedly
at her escaped braid of hair.
She followed his eyes rather than his
words, half pettishly caught up the
loosened braid, swiftly coiled 1t around
the top of her head and, clapptng the
weather beaten and battered conical
hat back again upon it, defiantly said:
Eyes. Everybody isn't as critical as
you are, and even you wouldn't be-of
Chinaman"
He had never seen her except when
she was arrayed with the full intention
to affect the beholders and perfectly
conscious of her attractions He was
utterly unprepared for this complete
ignoring Of adornment now, albeit he
was for the first time aware how hel
real prettiness made it unnecessary
She looked fully us charming in this
grotesque head covering as she had IL
that paragon of fashion-the new hat
which had excited his tolerant amuse
ment.
"I'm afraid Pm very poor critic
he said bluntly. II never conceived
that this sort of thing was ut all tt
your TASTE"
81 came to see my father because
wanted to-" she said with equal blunt
ness.
"And l came to see him though
didn't want to-" he said, with cynica
laugh.
She turned and fixed her brown eye.
lnquirlngly upon him.
"Why did you come, then?"
II was ordered by my directors
"Then you did not believe he was I.
theft" she said, her eyes softening.
at would i'll become me to accuse
your father-or my directors" he sait
AUTOMATICALLY.
She was quick enough to detect tn
suggestion Of moral superiority in hi
| tone, but woman enough to forgive ii
you're no friend of Wlndibrook," sh
\ said, 81 know
II am not" he replied frankly.
'.If you would like to see my pepper
l can manage it." she said hesitatingly
Hell do anything for me- she adde
with touch of her old pride.
"Who could blame him." returne
Masterton gravely. But if he is a FIRE
man now and able to go where he like
and to see whom he likes he may nc
care to give an audience to mer
messenger"
"You wait and let me see him first,
said the girl quickly. Then, as til
sound of sleighbells came from til
road outside, she added: "Here he Il
I'll get your clothes. They are out hel
drying by the fire in the she'd" Sh
disappeared through back door an
returned presently, bearing his dric
garments. Dress yourself while tail
pepper into the She'd" she said quick
and ran out into the road.
| Masterton dressed himself with diff
Guilty. Although circulation was no
restored and he felt glow through Ii
warmed clothes he was still sore
bruised and shaken by his fall. He ha
scarcely finished dressing when Mo
tagu Trixit entered the room from IL
shed. Masterton looked at him with
new interest and respect he had ne
er felt before. There certainly was II
tie of the daughter in this keen face
resolute Tipped man, though his brow
eyes, like hers, had the same fran
steadfast audacity. With busine
brevity that was hurried, but not IL
kindly, he hoped Masterton had full
recovered.
| Thanks to your daughter, I'm {
right now" said Masterton. II ne,
not tell you that | believe owe Ii
life to her energy and courage, for
think you have experienced what 81
can do in that way. Only you ha'
had the advantage of those who ha'
only enjoyed her social acquaintan
IN Knowing all the time what she wa
capable Of" he added significantly.
"She Is q good girl" said Trixit brie
ly, yet with slight rise in color on hi
dark, sallow cheek and a sudden w,
vering of his steadfast eyes. "She tell
me you have message from your d
rectors. think know what it is, br
we won't discuss 1t now. AS 1 am q,
ing directly to Sacramento, l shall NJ
see them, but l will give you an a1
swer to take to them when we reac
the station. I am going to give you
lift when my daughter Is ready. An
here she Is"
1t was the old Cissy TINT stepped II
to the room, dressed as she was whe
she left her fathers house two day
before. Oddly enough, he fancied this
something of her old conscious maj
ner had returned with her clothes, an
as he stepped with her into the bac
seat of the covered sleigh In waitin
he could not help saying, II realI
think | understand you better In you
other clothes" A slight blush noun
ed to Cissy's cheek, but her eyes wer
still audacious. "All the same, don
think you'd like to walk down Mai
street with me In that rig, althouc
You once thought nothing of taking N
over your old mill In your blue blous
and Overalls." And. having apparent
\ vrnotly ralinyod hor pro,,1 l;ttlo hon,