Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-10-29

Their sharp with you. 1t isn't ms way
to be interfering"
81 was only telling Will Sennex
lovers. The lass is a very butterfly Of
vanity and conceit, and any lad that
will fiatter her cam
"I'm not caring to hear about Msttie
Robinson. 1t is few people that know
I the lassie well enough to Judge her."
"Maybe, but there is not man or
woman between here and Inachar that
does not ken how poor Archie Lagg is
treated by that wife of his. She won't
even go to the kirk he likes. She says
she can think for herself"
'How can she have the presump-
tion?" asked Helen, with dubious lit
tie laugh, whose moclling character
Roy did not notice. "St. Paul would
never have believed in such wom-
an"
'Indeed he wouldn't! answered the
unsuspicious young man. "You know,
Helen, it is the Scripture rule that wo-
men shall ask their husbands about
things they are ignorant of. And
was just saying this and that about
women in general when the aud mar
II mean the elder-snapped me up
with very impertinent remark about
my ain mother"
"Roy, father was hearing something
can scarce believe possible about
your cousin Wills boat"
II ken what you mean"
"Some one was telling you did the
deed, but am sure that is simply I'M
thinkable."
"Of course. OF course! Would /, for
anything, smirch the name of the wo-
man I love better than my own life?
would be born fool to do it! 1 would
think shame of myself forever"
They had reached by this time a
large rock, aud Roy sat down and drew
Helen close to his side. He then tried
to turn the conversation, but Helen
was not satisfied.
Roy" she said, 81 am not doubling
you, but would be pleased to have the
| denial, straight and plain, from YOU.
There's folk that will be talking, and
want to be able to speak the words for
you that you will perhaps be too proud
and too angry to speak for yourself.
So. my dear lad, did you paint your
| cousins boat name out or did you not?'
81 lid not. will swear it if you want
me TO-"
mo, no! If could not take your
word, would think still less of your
oath. Yes or no is enough for any man
to say; more is j:tst !, weakness"
81 say No" then
"That is all wal.t Who do you
think is the guilty person? l would
wish to give him, whoever he is, 0
warming. know well the look on my
fathers face when lie told me of his
name and my name being BACKED out.
And just because he said so little and
threatened none know he is set on
making an example of the blackguard,
whoever lie may be. So l would like
to warn him either to confess his fault
to the elder and get his forgiveness or
else put himself out of the reach of his
| just anger Who do you think was
able for such a bit of contemplate
spite?"
81 think Will Anderson did the deed
with his ain hands,"
"You do not know what you are
saying, Roy"
81 know fine. Will Anderson did it
himself. He thought 1 would get the
blame of it and so lose your respect
and liking"
"You are clean mistaken! Will did
not do it. would as soon blame my.
self. An act like that is clean below
and beyond him. The very thought Of
blackening his heart and hands in yon
way could never enter into Wills mind.
Why, you fright me, Roy; you fright
me! If could believe you-tut, tut;
the thing is impossible!
What for are you setting yousel' in
such a blaze of passion? Let the blacl,
mark pass. We have sweeter things to
talk about. l am asking you to be my
wife, and l want your Yes this night.
Will not listen to No. If / am right
In thinking you love me, Helen, say
YES am that anxious / am fairly
trembling with the fear that you did
not mean aught by the smiles you have
blessed me with and the kiss you let
me take this very night. Helen, my
dear lassie, say Yes If you don't, l
shall go to the mischief"
| Whist, Roy! You do not surely thinl;
l can be frightened into marrying you.
am not that kind of woman. And