Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-01-01
THE NIGHT
WAS DARK
BY c. E. DiDewall.
Copyright, 1901, by c. E. Dingwall.

said kirby thoughtfully, Il think the
best thing to do is to stop and explain
things to the old man. And now that
What's-his-name is lost you'd better 90
back with your father" he said, adj
dressing the girl. He started to get out
of the wagon as it slowed up, but the
girl caught his arm quickly and said
pleadingly: ooh, don't go. You don't
know him. He wouldn't believe you,
Pm afraid"
"But it's the only way" said Kirby.
"Then go, if you WISH" she said, but
1 won't. Hurry up, driver. Go on
She was clearly frightened at the wrath
of her father which she had brought
down upon herself.
"-All right" said Kirby. he did not
however, jump out, but resumed his
seat instead, gathering the robe about
them and calling upon the driver TIC
drive on. lie was not at all displeased
at the prospect of her further com
pany.
"Er-I beg pardon. What's your
Nance" he asked.
kitty Hurley" she replied.
ooh! I'm Kirby Huston. I'm over
on the railroad, you know" he said by
way of starting the conversation, fore.
man on the trestlework. Ever been
over there"
NO." she said.
"You must come down some day
Say. Miss Hurley" after a pause
don't worry about this. It'll come out
all right. I'll see you through" He
gradually allayed her fears without
mentioning the poor chap who was left
at Conrad's. He talked and talked ant
talked about the trestle and the eartf
cutting and the big rock cut and how Il
all happened from the time that Chapir
stole his bed covering, which was thu
beginning. However, they were not as
socially communicative as they were
half an hour before. 1t may have beer
because it was almost daylight now
and they We're reminded of third per
sons presence by seeing the driver
| quite distinctly.
From the top of a hill they could SEE
| Antioch ahead of them. Through til,
| hole in the curtain they could see thu
old mans buggy on the slope of til,
| last hill, and his proximity surprised
them. The driver whipped up his steed.
in Il last effort to reach the goal first
| though what was to be done when An
tioch was reached Kirby did not know
| The father would get there almost u.
soon as they, and it was now ligh
enough for him to follow them ant
give them no opportunity to secret,
themselves, even though such pro
| cedure would aid satisfactory settle
ment of the affair. Kirby has assured
| me that no thought of what he die
afterward entered his mind until Il
moment he did it. 1t was certainl!
serious enough to merit long and deel
| thought.
where shall take you toT" asked
Kirby. "Have you any friends IL
town."
mo; 1 don't know any one there
she said.
Drive to the depot square," he sale
to the driver finally after turning ovel
in his mind all of the schemes he could
think of for getting out of the affair
but at the same time seeing the CIR
safely through as a first consideration
AID as he had promised also, as his
chivalrous nature prompted him.
where are you going?" she asked.
well so to the company's office and
! get the thing Strengthened out there
he said. He had great confidence il
the ability of Jim Mcdonald TO get hin
out of difficulties of various kinds. jim
\ Mcdonald, a member of the contract
ing firm, was on the job at that time.
| They drove through the main street
of sleeping Antioch and drew up In
front of our office, and Kirby pounded
Oh the door. The father saw them at O
distance and whipped up his nearly
dead horse. Kirby pounded furiously
| lie awakened the whole house, but by
the time we who slept up stairs could
| jump into our clothes and rush down
| Kirby and the girl and the wrathfu
parent We're in the midst of stirring
and exciting scene. Hurley drove up
jumped out of his buggy and confront
| ed, shotgun in hand, his recreant daugl
ter and, as he supposed her lover. He
was portly old gentleman, with natu.