Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-09

Tor them, but none for yourself, eh?
That will never do. old boy. Your
hearts secret would probably interest
Miss Kingsley more deeply than n
crowd of schoolgirls and their fleeing
affection.
Allan lacked at hiI1a-eageIly. - -
THAT is il she has a heart to give
you in return" Leonard went on.
Some members of the profession think
otherwise, must confess"
Atoms hand closed ON his arm
fiercely.
Don't mention her If you hold any
such opinion as that" he said, threat
eningly.
Leonard laughed bit sharply.
Don't flare up, old man. But you
know her past experience, Dick; Jim
Morton broke her heart years ago, be-
fore he died, that's all. old man. do
not think you can bring happiness to
her at this late day"
Alton arose and faced him calmly,
resolutely.
81 mean to try, jack" he said sim
ply. Tonight shall send bunch
Of violets to her room, and If she &C.
cepts them in my name shall re-
joice-'
"And shall send her roses" Leon
ard interrupted, airily; "the costllest,
most fragrant shower Of American
Beauties my salary can stand. No yio-
let's for me, my boy; the why to win a
NC ri l,ryA 1.,%
the rose. 1t costs more, you know, and
thereby makes better impression, and
then 1t is loves own messenger, Dick.
Had you forgotten thatY'
When Alton entered the theater that
evening his cheeks were flushed and
his eyes glistened, but his manner was
reassuring. He made his way between
the rows Of set pieces to the narrow
stairway leading to the second floor.
He paused on the landing and looked
about for the call boy. That individual
did not materialize on the instant, but
In his place appeared beautiful little
creature closely resembling picture
book fairy.
"Oh, Dick" cried the fairy, ecstati-
cally. what lovely flowers! Are they
for mamma? She loves violets."
Does she, Dolly9 am glad to hear
that"
The fairy was trifie surprised at
the fervor of his tone.
Yes. they are for mamma, and you
must handle them carefully; they are
not as durable as the props Dolly.
kins. And, mind you, don't lose the
note-that's far more precious than the
flowers"
He detached several Of the modest
flowers from the pretty bunch and put
them in the child's other hand as she
reached for the bouquet. She danced
away from him in delight, kissing her
hand to him as she skipped down the
stairs. On the lower floor she con-
fronted the leading man in the act Of
ascending. Her eyes wIdened as she
saw the huge cluster of roses Leonard
endeavored to conceal from her.
Give me rose, Mr.. Leonardo she
begged saucily, placing the yiolets be-
hind her.
II guess not" Leonard answered
shortly. "These flowers come too high,
young lady. to waste their fragrance
In a child's careless hand"
Little Miss Dolly looked after his re-
treating form with angry resentment
blazing in her big, brown eyes.
"I'll just tell mamma" she confided
to the violets. II don't think she likes
Mr.. Leonard, anyway Dick isn't
! stingy," she added, little smile dis
polling the frown with the swiftness
of magic. "And-I think mamma likes
Dick"
AT the close of rehearsal the follow
ing afternoon Leonard accosted Alton.
81 congratulate you, Dick" he said,
extending his hand with forced cor.
diality. 81 misjudged the lady's choice.
1t seems. ! bow before the vlolet's SUI.
premacy and hail that particular flower
as loves accepted messenger in this
important instance"
Miss kingsley had approached the