Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-02-13
1.-TWO Birds
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
SAN RS. MARCH and her only
lIM daughter Eva lived, with their

Hurst, and since the death of her hus-
band Mrs. March had gone out 80 infre-
lQuently that her visitors had dwindled
down to three. Cecil Fellow came al
most daily. He was the only son Of Sir
Herbert Fellow, and the richest young
Iman In the neighborhood. Then there
was Miss Helen Wray, district visitor
and an inveterate gossip. Lastly, there.
was Colonel Marion, who had been a
great friend Of Mr.. March's. and who
called every Wednesday afternoon with
the regularity of a rent collector.
Although Cecil and Eva were not for
mally engaged 1t was practically under
4 stood that such was the case. Sir Her
bert placed no limit to his sons. free
dom Of action beyond expressing disap-
lproval Of early marriages; and Mrs.
March felt that the loss Of Eva, at least
for few years, would be more than
she. as lonely widow, could bear.
Cecil was % and Eva not yet 10, SO
there appeared to be no need for haste.
Colonel, want your advice" said
Mrs. March one Wednesday afternoon.
Miss Wray been at you again?"
"She has, and frankly there is reason
in what she says"
First time" says the colonel, tartly.
well, 1t seems that Cecil is much at
Itracted by the daughter of the man who
has just taken the Golden Dragon In
the village. OF course until he has
spoken plainly to Eva have no author
1ty to interfere, but l am afraid that
he may feel 80 sure Of his position with
her that he may not hesitate towel,
Ito promote a Irritation with this new
arrival, to the discredlt Of us all.'
What then do you wish?"
II want him to make formal pro-
'posal."
why not ask his intentions2"
Il am sure of nothing but Eva's affec-
tton for him. He may not really have 1t
in his mind to marry"
You mean direct inquiry may drive
him into the enemy's camp"
You put 1t very plainly" said Mrs.
March, "but that is what I mean"
PITY there is no other young man
you could play against him. Once let
him see that Eva may become another's
and shake his self-confidence the thing
would be DONE"
But Eva Is too genuine to lend her
,gself to any theatrical subterfuge Of that
kind. even II rival could be found"
"Not a bit of It," said the colonel. "If
she loves him and sees him going adrift
she will do as her moth-I mean as
any woman would under the circum-
stances"
"Any sort Of rival would do, then?
Why, you. even, might play the part"
The colonel str0ked his mustache and
smiled. He had been an admirer of
Mrs. March for q number of. years, but
alike Cecil had been content to let the
time pass without expressing himself
\ clearly.
He smiled again more pleasantly as
another thought occurred to him. "Two
birds with one stone, by Jove!" he MUIR
INJURED to himself; then aloud, 81 am
more than willing to make love to Eva,
: Mrs. March, II she will permit it from
an old fogy such as am. The only
thing to be feared is that Cecil may
treat my rivalry as a jest, and think me
an elderly idiot unworthy of notice."
seriously' colonei, ! tnlnk an attack
of jealousy would bring Cecil to the
point, and IL not, the lack of 1t would
convince Eva that her young love is
wasted. You may have to hear some
semarAs a.o 1,ou a,ha 49,, LA .neie ule
rev yoan .s,a.,. S,o 49, !" ,aee your
1lvairy Ml 49,. a'
uhe Soio a, pom.u ~.
win .an0 - sn -, ~. - .ne plot most
e!auy' wv nus .laAe oue eonaition,
anu ena. 10 100 s. ~ Soy nns VI II 10
IVA. =. nas ~. n aap. - 10 WEI. TO let
ner pen 49,, NJ ,a ~ 500 - ne
Mrs, MAJ so' $500 =. nef o'u friend
eteauny ~ ~ :. ,ras ..... :. crossed
ner m,nu ena' - . WIS lust POSSIBLE the
coionel M ~. ~ euousn 70 love
ner uaus -, ,,,s.,,,, n 'sseo tne
Z anousns 90 ~ a,,aOo,a Ia
as.ee, s.s ".,..ss u 90 ns va ioot-
sep mns 1900 Tue pay
pe ..I 1 49, -,
sa, 80. ,,a..os 49,. W your
mo.ne. 49, and go NC WIZ T concerns
your M aas,,, az ~ ~. 10y =. wv ECU me.
oear, w !, ss ~ " Sou ~ De very oio
s1isn. eau .As e''
Mo, said Eva, regarding him
crlucaiiy. aon tnlnk you are. 1
seem 10 nave 1nown you an my life,
JUST 40 nave Secii. !eei sometimes
nau grown past him' ne seems
Doyisn' Du. you Always understand
me dol. you. sue Iepneo, rather IN
consequently, Iee liotner lnought.
= rnMk 80 ne answered gently, and
mere was 80 muen meaning IN the tone
tnat Mrs' aarcn looAeu up quickly with
suspicion ~ ner slance' Eva frightened
cons,aeraD.y u saad ns meal Tor the