Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-05-28
THE HEART OF
MEMORIAL DAY

II really WISH" said Mrs. Maxwell to
her daughter Belle. that you would be
more polite to Mr.. Curry
II suppose, mother" replied Belle, with
the Independence of true American
girl, shat could be polite to horse or
q COW. II there was anything in particu-
lar to be gained by it. Now please tell
me why should try to be polite to that
sarcastic, cold, heartless or. lture, Lean
Ger Curry"
why, Belle. you ought to know. lie
Is worth quarter Of million"
Indeed! I'm glad, then, that he's got
one recommendation. ! don't know Of
another"
The widow sighed and looked rather
distressfully at her handsome but plain
spoken daughter.
Belle Maxwell" she said, more and
more every day do you grow like your
poor father. He was just so proud-spir-
ited-just so independent
''l'm glad to hear it, ma! l hope l
may always deserve to be spoken of in
that way. To be the daughter OF one Of
the heroes who fell at Chckamauga,
fighting for the Union and the old flag,
md to resemble him as l grow up-I
think that is glory enough for a poor
girl like me. Poor, dear father!-how
well remember how fine he looked in
his majors uniform when he took me
up and kissed me, us he went back from
his leave OF absence, just before that bat
tie! ! was only little thing; but the
recollection will never be blotted out
from my memory"
Such q Renaissance as this very nat
l1v got
for moment the subject of their con-
versation was forgotten. 1t was brought
up again by the ring of the door bell.
'.That's his ring" said Mrs. Maxwell,
hurriedly drying her eyes. "Now do try
and treat him well. Just think whit a
chance it would be for you, Belle! l
know he likes you."
This was rather more than the widow
had snid yet to her daughter on the sub
5ect. She was good hearted woman,
but the prospect of having Mr.. Curry
for son-in-law had rather unset her
usually level head. She had made a
great many plans in secret, based on that
desirable event. The death of her hus-
band In the war had left her poor. with
nothing to rely on but her daughters mu-
ssical abilities, the exercise of which now
port. Belle was good girl, as well as
handsome and clever, and cheerfully la
bored for her mother and herself. She
was probably as happy in her indepen-
dence and in the love of her work and
her home as any girl in the city. Some
years having passed since the fall of
Major Maxwell among the country's he
roes, the widows grief had become blunt
ed, and she. too. was enjoying certain
happiness. That is. she had been, until
the advent of Mr.. Curry and his marked
attentions to her daughter threw the good
woman into flutter Of excitement and
anticipation. Nothing is SO disturbing
to the average person us remote and
uncertain prospect of wealth; and the
truth is In this case that Mrs. Maxwell
lay awake the greater portion of several
nights, specializing about what would
happen when Belle would become the rich
Mrs. Curry.
The young lady herself was not in the
least disturbed by any such prospect. The
man was positively disagreeable to her.
He was gentlemanly in his ways, cold
and Unconditional; one to whom generous
impulses were strangers. He was devot-
ed to the care of the large fortune that
A"u oeeh ieit HiIn ny HIS ldte uucle, u
great war contractor, and was constant
~ looking out for chances to swell it
by speculation. This was the last man
that might naturally be expected to fall
in love. But "beauty draws us by a
single hair" and the first sight of Belle
Maxwell effectually did the business for
I.eander Curry. He had been prevailed
upon, against his custom, TO buy a. ticket
for charity CONCEPT, in which "home tai
ent" was largely to be represented. The
gem of the evening proved to be song
by Miss Belle Maxwell, whichSwas heart
lily applauded and encorcd. The grace
and beauty, as well as the pure, sweet
voice of the singer. made deep impress
sion upon the vast audience, and they
actually struck some sparks from Mr..
Curry's fiinty heart. He came, saw,
heard-and was conquered. He became
q frequent caller at the humble Maxwell
home; and this condition of things had
been In progress for some months at
the time that our sketch opens.
All this time we have left Mr.. Curry
standing at the door. while our nscessary