Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-12-10
IN DEFIANCE OF AUTHORITY

occurred to YOU that 1t would be mn
extremely nice arrangement If those
two children of ours would fall in love
with each other? You and l are get.
ting along In years-eh, old frien6?-
and I'd like to see Lila settled In n
home OF her own before the order
comes for taps. There is no one In the
world would rather give my daughter
to than Billie; the boy is white clear
through-he could scarcely be anything
inherent. though. and his fathers son.
can't Imagine why they don't" con
tinued the Colonel, argumentatIvely;
they like each other all right, and are
always together-ridlng, playing golf
or something-but never thought Of
building nest of their own. Just
listen to that, Will your he broke off.
through the library doorway came
the blithe notes of rollicking duet.
sung by two happy, care-free young
voices. A tender smile blossomed on
Lawyer Reeds clean-shaven lips.
Bless their hearts!' he said, softly.
Nothing would give me greater salts
taction or happiness. Phil, than to have
what you mentioned come to pass I've
had the same thought myself, and hint
ed at something Of the kind to Billie
once"
wen said Col. Bradlee, tentative
~.
me young rascal laughed at me; said
the Idea was absurd; that while Lila
anu ne were the best of chums, and all
.hat' there was no thought Of any nom
sense Oh that sort between them. Billie
. Intel, Went on the lawyer. ruefully,
.nat ! had better stick to chess, and
'e' h'atch-maklng alone"
Lila appears to be Of about the same
opinion" remarked the Colonel. (lryly.
"She called me an old goose. To he
thinking of such things. call ii living
IN the face of Observation-Disclosures
! an unexpected onslaught ON his oneen
for IL ever two people were made
for each other, 1t was those two. and
they haven't the sense to, see IT."
John Reed nodded, then all at once
smote his knee softly with his hand.
Phil" he said, lowering his voice. do
You remember that white mule we
used to have at headuuarters-in esp,
Ben Johnson's mnle?" replied the
Colonel, with reminiscent grin. "of
course do. The boys used to say
,hat when Ben wanted that mule to go
anywhere he'd lead him In the opposite
direction, yell cit up! Mt him, and old
Caesar-would wheel and run the other
way like deer"
Young human nature and mule ma
ture are good deal similar some
times" remarked the lawyer. signiii-
cantly, leaning back in his chair.
Vague scomprehension began to dawn.
OH Colonel Bradlee's countenance. DO.
you think we might work something of
the sort. jack he queried. eagerly.
"a do most anything to bring 1t about.
short of putting my girl OH bread and
water-or not kissing her."
John Reed rose to his feet. "Philip
Bradlec," he said. in a serious voice,
prepare to have your innermost feel
ings outraged. | am going to insult
you-For goodness sake, PHIL lie
whispered, as-he perceived look of
blank establishment sweep over his
friends face. don't look like that: It's
only bluff! Play your part, man. and
don't give me away"
Hc swept the chess hoard Of, tha =,
ble with bank. .CoIonal Rrad,oo y
he cried loudly. angrily. ..this is no, ~
f,rst time have canpht Won tr,,,,,a ~
take an unfair advantage but ito no
last game III play with 49,
Something choked His sneacb IN.
tha Colonel rose to tbe situation m,
hero leave nv honsen ha ran.,.,
"you Observation-Disclosures, H.
wound nm trlumphantlv ~
,rhore was sudden. r,,sb ,,to .,u
brarv and n dlsmayed chorus S.EatIan,
Colonel Rradleew -
.You. TOO. slr." yelled tha co,,nn,
"Don,t Won dare set foot in nv hn,,so
AGAIN, That know or yonr !, o,.,,,,.
ANYTHING more TO do with tha san -
.Jnhn Rood I,lI-I,l,-aisown -,
they're n nair Of" 49,
RiIlia Reed grosnad h,s ,,thor,s 49,.
.Co,ne. father,n he so,d nrondlv arni'
onel Rradlep has forgotten t,,at H. ~.
pent,cman,n s''.s ~ = "
AS the mir marched stimy ar.,.t
through the library door tho ,onno, .
coutlously turned his head. Inf I-i;a,..s
ewes were too full of tenrs IL intaroant
the deliberate wink he shot at the man
he had so basely Insulted
"rheyll neyer4consent.n said I<,,
dolefully. She was standing with Riilia
Reed behind the grape arbor in her
fathers. yard a week later. mud even !,
dlsinterested spectator would nave
needed no second glance to have shown
him that the wondrous llght-whieh
never yet was on sea or land-was sli
around them.
what if they don't?" replied Bi,lie
stoutly. '.1hey ought to be ashamed of
apart because they've quarreled!