Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-07-24


and will stand by him and will see to
it that he isn't molested,'' was Chan
ning's answer. Hes just the fearless,
reliable man we need for certain
kind of work, and here's the place for
him."
But the landlord shook his head.
"AIr. Channing," said he earnestly, II
see and hear things you cannot see and
hear because men look and talk sweet
when you come around. It's their
bread and butter. You manage your
business In the interest of your stock
holders, and l must do the same for
mine. / must attract custom, not an
tagonize it and lose my job. mustn't
offend those fellows Of the other road,
for some Of them are stockholders Of
this very shop, and they are not fond
of you, much less of Mr.. Langdon. II
you want to reward and help him, take
him to Chicago. Don't attempt to set
tie him here"
But the mere idea that one OF his
chosen should be menaced by the enc
my was enough to set Claiming solid
~ against change Of plan. He went
to Melyille's room In the morning to
say goodby and found that Boniface
had been there before him, for Mel
Vile, too, was anxious. Mrs. Melville
had gone out to do some shopping;
Miss Grahame sat in silence, an abb
ssorbed listener. That evening Langdon
knocked, as usual, ut AIelville's door to
fnn,tfro yxyllu mn 49, ox hit
had had and whether he could be of
service. Miss Grahame was just COM
ing forth, dressed for the street.
THE troops go back to Pawnee to-
night" she said, "and some Of the Of
fcers are coming up in moment to
say goodby. thought should like
brisk walk"
He hesltated moment. He well
knew to whom she referred by "some
of the officers" and why she referred to
them at all. 1t would be embarrassing
all around for him to meet them there.
It was significant of her own desire to
avoid Nathan and his set that she
should be going out just as they were
expected. Langdon's first impulse was
to offer to escort her, for night was
falling, and the electric globes were al
ready sparkling on the snowy streets,
and with all her independence and fear
lessness Miss Grahame might be wiser
not to go forth unattended. But he fall
tered. The weather had set in sharp
er, colder, and he had no civilian over
coat and would not wear the "frogged"
and braided garment of his late rank
and profession now that he no longer
held the commission. He could have
spared himself any scruples us to that,
since dozens of civilians east and west
wear that army overcoat because 1t
strikes them as handsome, because 1t
gives them an air of distinction and
because there is no law to hinder. 1t
was not on account of lack of warm
clothing he hesitated, but one glance
at his worn, old business suit, made
three years before and much too snug
for him now, banished all thought of
rendering his services.
II may go in, may l not?" he said
after moment.
ooh, yes" was the answer as she
threw open the door to admit him and
then as he entered stood there, think
ing. Twice her fine, thoughtful eyes
followed him into the room; twice she
caught herself listening for the sound
of their voices and trying to catch the
words, then, with heightened color,
turned sharply and stood within the
room. A little party of artillery Off
GERS was issuing from the elevator.
Another moment, and they were knock
ing at the door.
Good evening, Captain Nathan.
Good evening, gentlemen" was her
placid salutatien. Eyes, the major will
be glad to see you." And, one after an
other, she ushered the quartet into the
dimly lighted apartment where Mrs.
Melville came forward to greet them.
you'll come up again tomorrow, Lang
don," she heard Melville say rs Snnt-
ley bent over her to express his disap-
pointment that she should be going out
just as they were coming in. Couldn't
she wait moment? He would SO
like No; evidently she couldn't.
Moreover, she made It impossible for
Santley to complete his sentence by
calmly saying, Now, Mr.. Langdon, If
you are quite ready" and thereby CIV
ing Santley to understand her escort
was already chosen. santley glanced
at Langdon, turned red and looked as
though he really wanted to speak.
Langdon, passing Nathan without a
sign, looked straight into the eyes of
his adjutant and plainly indicated that
he had no desire whatever to converse
with him. Two minutes later, In the
keen, frosty air of the wide western
street, he found himself swiftly pacing
the broad, wooden sidewalk, cracking
with cold under their light footballs,
Ethel Grahame. with bright eyes and
flushed cheeks and quick. elastic steps,
springing along by his side, her hand
within his arm. Had any one told him
the day he SO sadly left pawnee that
this would be possibility In the near
future Eric Langdon could hardly have