Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-03-06

doctor seemed ashamed Immediately !
and tried to apologize by saying:
81 ought not to have said that, but I
feel better for It,"
Two days went by, and still the stu
alton between the mine owners and the
strikers remained nearly the same. The
owners at the lower range had not yet
succeeded in getting enough men in to
20 to work. Several of them who had
gone on from Champion had been per-
suaded to leave. The troops were still
at De Mott, and the speeches of the
miners in their daily meetings at the
park were growing more bitter against
them. The wounded officer at the ho-
tel was recovering. His. friends had
come up to take care Of him, and the
doctor thought he could go home Mt the
end Of the week. Andrew Burke had
proved delightful companion to the
choicest roses down into the room and
had himself proved the truth Of the
proverb, "a merry heart doeth good
like medicine"
1t was Friday night that the Vas
PLANES had invited Aunt Royal, Lou
Use and Stuart to quiet dinner at their
house. Stuart did not want to 60. He
knew what the company would be, and
he had no liking for the young Vas,
plaine who for a year or two now. was
evidently trying to win the favor Of
Louise. Stuart, even before the expert
ence which made life new thing for
him, never had any fellowship except
that of an acquaintance with Vas
PLANE, and he knew enough about him
to dislike his immoral character and
his general make up as man.
The family was exceedingly wealthy,
and next to the Duncans' their house
was the finest in Champion. 1t was
built at the other end of the valley to-
ward the park. The elder Vasplaine
had retired some years before. His
brother and his son carried on certain
lumber and copper Industries north of
Champion. They were not directly in
terested in the iron mines, except US
they were involved in the general con-
dition of business, all of which, Of
course, felt the effect of the strike.
There was also in the family daugh-
ter, Miss Una Vasplaine, a young wo-
man about Louise's age. The girls
had been playmates.
Stuart was sitting by Miss Vasplaine
at this dinner, and the conversation
was general all about him. He was
just replying to question put by his
/ = r1,1 Ix,I til H.
his serious appearance. Miss Una was
vivarious, striking looking GIRL and
Stuart In the old days had always
found her an agreeable talker. He
smiled in reply to her question and
was on tile point Of answering when
the whole company received q shock
that set the ladies screaming and the
gentlemen starting to their feet in
alarm.
The large dining room fronted OIL the
veranda, and magnificent plate glass
window extended from the floor almost
to the ceiling, looking out on the pine
tree lawn. The night was clear and
frosty. 1t was growing late in the sea-
son, and winter would soon set in; the
ground was bare now and dry. The
moon was just coming up over the Da-
Wis hill range.
| Suddenly through this window o
chunk of iron ore came crashing right
over the table. 1t scattered the glass
in every direction, crashed through the
pendants Of the electric chandelie. anG
smashed into the mirror over the side
board, knocking it into splinters, ani
then, falling down on the sideboard it
self, broke the glassware and dishes
right and left.
The affair was so unexpected, 1t came
SO without warning, that the compa
ny was terrified and altogether shock
ed. Aunt Royal was the first to speak
"That's the work of some of you
precious strikers"
~ don't believe it." Stuart shouted
In his heart he cursed the saloon ant
all Its great wickedness. He believed
the hand that flung the ore was run
crazed.
The men all rushed out on the veran
da, and the elder vasplaine, thorough
ly incensed at the outrage, ordered hi
horses out, and as soon us they wer,
ready he and his brother started of
down the road In pursuit. Word wa,
sent to the police force in Champion O
the affair. Stuart remained with tn,
ladies for awhile, and then,s as ,younl
. vasplaine volunteered to escort then
home, he hurried down into the tow
to investigate the matter. He. did no
believe any Of the miners would d
such thing. They had done enougl
that had prejudiced the. owners agains
), them, but only when under the influ
ence Of drink. Besides, Vasplaine wa
!, not an owner now although he ha
been years before. ,s..
Stuart found everything quiet in I'll
> town. Nest Of the miners were sti
!. in De Mott. 1t was murmnred that
!. large load Of men was coming in tha
!, night. He remained at the Office
little while and then started out. .fo
home.
AS he came out on the street he sa,
= the Salvation Army. 1t was kneelih
at the corner for Its outdoor meetin
y just before going to Its hall to hold II
TeSuuC4-SeENlce. hueun AWASul We
kneeling right on the hard stones q
. the pavement offering a prayer. Stual
u could not hear the words, but, he coul
see the pale, earnest face. He hes
tated where he was. He thought b
y would go on home. Then he though
u he would go into the hall and sc
= what kind OF meeting the army hat
At last as the army rose and went b
= up the street beating its drum he turf
L ed slowly and walked in the same d
rection. Just US he entered the hall /
= might have heard If he had not bee
!. too absorbed in where he was going
:, sound borne over the frosty groun
y and through the clear mountain a
from the direction Of De Mott. 1t WI
the sound of Thousands of feet Stril