Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-05-08

eu tue inquire representing himSelf so
that 1t faced the figure representing
Ethel. Immediately white hand shot
out and turned the back of the paste
board belle toward the bowling figure
"Snubbed" exclaimed Jack, having a
holiness for his pasteboard representa-
tive that he never would have presum-
ed to have for himself.
But you don't know him yet. He's
the checklist man on the beach, at
hearts" and he moved his representa-
tive with his bow in front of the maid
with the parasol.
"And she's the haughtiest girl at the
beach. said Ethel, MS she again snub-
bed her cavalier.
TRY them behind the hotel where the
hammock is and folks amt lookin',"
volunteered Gus.
Great head.' exclaimed Jack, pick
ing up the two figures to make the
change.
Take care whom you're handling
like that" exclaimed Ethel. grasping
him by the wrist and striving to pry
his fingers loose from her figure.
There was a struggle full of the aban,
don gayety Of the nursery, to which
the blocks had brought them back far
from the formalitles and embarrass-
ments of social life. Gus jumped into
the struggle to help Jack, and in the
general mixup the hotel was. wrecked
worse than any house that was ever
built on sand. The clatter brought
them back to themselves again, but the
nursery spirit remained with them.
They once more had the frank fearless.
ness Of children and could look one an.
other In the face without blushlng.
Now, you must build me something
else, you two" whined Gus, over the
ruins OF his hotel.
For, an hour they built and rebuilt
all kinds of houses to the infinite de.
light of the boy, who watched and criti.
cised. At last they disagreed about
what should be built.
Lets build a cottage" said Jack.
NO, let's build a church." said Ethel.
Il want you to build both" said Gus.
So, as there were plenty of blocks to
build both, they started race to see
who could finish first. Rut 1t was n
peculiar thing that Jack built with his
left hand and Ethel with her right.
while each leaned on the hand that was
supposedly disengaged. But an oh.
server less interested in building than
Gus might have noticed that the two
hands not used in building were trying
to rest on the same spot OF floor, and
occasionally the fingers intertwined In
way that brought the color to the
cheeks of the two young people, whose
faces were carefully averted
Jacks cottage is done first" cried
Gus, sprawling forward with his card
board figures. "And here you both are
going in the front gate."
but We should go to the church be-
fore we go to the cottage" said Jack,
CALAMITY. Don't you think SO, Ethel?'
gentle squeeze of the hand was the
only response.
Then It's settled" he exclaimed, in
trembling voice. glancing at the back
OF an ayerted head "First to the
church and then to my cottage"
Another pressure Of assent.
Just what would have happened
next, in spite of the presence of Gus,
will never be known, for his mother,
who had entered the room unnoticed.
suddenly exclaimed:
"Well, bless my heart, is this a nurs.
cry? Bless you, my Children
They both sprang to their feet in con
fusion, but Jack still chung to Ethel's
hand. Her mother looked from one to
the other, and then Jack managed to
stammer:
"rhat's right-we want your bless.
ing"
"Engaged!' exclaimed the mother.
well, l never. And that boy In the
room all the time! Talk about bashful
people~
Never mind that" said Jack, sud
denly grown bold as brass, as he plant
ed his first kiss on Ethel's lips "rhe
question is, do we get the blesslng?"
you'll be able to tell better after
you are married." said the mother, as
she pushed them ahead Of her toward
the study, where her husband was sit
ting, pretending not to overhear.-
Ledger Monthly.