Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-04-23

I
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K A SACRIFICE. S
t@ HE young man stood with his
back to the fire and his hands
thrust into his trouser pockets
| Mrs. Langley sat on the lounge Sob
Ebtng Historically. Her husband, Col
lionel Langley, strobe up and down the
room. angrily displacing various chairs
and tables. while the boys cousin. for
lhe was not much more than boy in
years. tried to paclfy the trio.
"All right, sir; go your own way; go
your own way and be -" The last
word was lost as the door slammed be-
hind the irate Colonel.
20, Ted! How can YOU be SO fool
nshT said Mrs. Langley. brokenly.
Elbow can you dream of marrying a
tvplsar, uneducated dancer?"
"Mother," replied the boy. stcrnly.
RI love Nudge Baptiste, and whether
she be dancer or duchess. n million
niress or retired shopkeeper's daugh-
Ter, It can matter to no one but N.Y.
self II really love her."
The mother recommended her hys-
kerical cries. The cousin, fair. pretty
girl about his own age. went to him
and rested her hand on his shoulder.
Teddy. say no more now, but come
with me. Let us think the matter over
calmly"
The next evening Gwendoline stole
quietly from the house and drove to
khe theater where Madgc Baptiste
hanced nightly.
It was dusk when she arrived. She
sent up her card, telling the commits
3ionaire that her business was urgent.
He returned with the information that
Miss Baptiste would see Miss Harper
Tor q few minutes. Then she found
herself in small and dainty dressing
Room. Clouds of soft, silken pettlcoats
lay here and there. A large jar Of
flowers stood on the mantelpiece, and
khe dressing table was covered with
silver powder boxes. scent bottles. and
s'make-up" utensils. Photographs Of
motors. painters. and poets stood in
Isvery available corner; old programs
IN wooden frames and one or two etch-
nngs hung on the walls.
Before large mirror stood Miss
Madge Baptiste arranging her hair.
4 "Ah, come In, Miss-Harper. Excuse
the untidy state of the room. think
you'll ind chair. Let me see, don't
think l have met you before-perhaps
you are journalist, Or"
mo. haven't ever met you BEFORE"
Utammered Gwendoline, "I-came-I
think you know my cousin, Mr.. Lang
ley" She felt her face growing red
She did not know why she blushed,
but this vivacious. beautiful girl fright
ened her. She had expected to find
such different woman-a vulgar, Ill.
bred woman.
"Mr. Langley? Teddy! o. yes, /
know him well. So you are his cousln7
Pleased to meet you-he is not i'll.
hope7'
"No, he is not ILL.,"
20, that's all right. Ted and are
fond Of each other, you know; in fact,
we think of getting married soon-at
least, he thinks of 1t. didn't know
he had cousin, such pretty cousin,
tool'' with laugh; "he kept that a
becret."
II really came to speak about It.
-hbout this marriage" said Gwendoline
hervously. you know his people,
"Or' Madge Baptlste turned sharply
krom regarding herself in the mirror.
no, understand! They have heard
perhaps he told them; he said he
6hould. They object-ah? And you?"
She drew chair opposite the girl, and
sat down, and rested her arms ON her
knees with her face between her hands.
II am only his cousin-we have been
Ehums always. I said l would see you,
and tell you that his father and mother
were angry; that he was merely boy
and
\ Eyes. yes! know-don't so on" She
looked Gwendoline up and down. She
cav her youth; she guessed the real
reason of her visit. "Ted is q boy In
years, know. but he is a man for all
That. He is % and l am %. Besides,
4 am only dancer. and he Is Colonel
6Angley's son. Please understand l
haye-no-wlsh to-marry him-if his
parents object. will tell him he must
20 away and not see me again. 1 shall
miss him at first, expect. A dancers
life Is lonely one. you know. She
ihas 30 few friends, and unless She
lAh. there is the.call boy. Well. good
Iby-and II I don't see -Teddy-again-
Isay good-by to him-fr me-"
But Miss Harper had risen, and was
holding Madge Baptlste's hands in
hers, while two tears ran down her
cheeks. 20, don't. please! How cruel
lyon must think me! didn't mean to-
Il really didn't. But his mother was so
unhappy, and l thought you were a.
mean, l didn't dream you really cared
Tor him. He shall marry you! know
ne, loves you" and then she burst
sout crying.
miss Baptiste! Curtains waiting!
Hurry up!'' yelled small youth at
the door.
"Let 1t wait; can't come" replied the
dancer, CURLY. Then In soft gentle
voice to Gwendoline: Don't cry. dear;
you have been ever so kind. know
you meant well In coming. But don't
think had better see him again; you'll
make much better wife than ~
There was a suspicious break in her
voice.
mo. no." said Gwendoline, between
- sobs, blushing violently; y never