Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-12-31
Cradle or Grave.

AnRs. ARMsrRoNG,s modest. lit

mi rs h anss was ossss Ri's sh IT.
SThe proud lady was giving n
small dance to celebrate her only sons
Homecoming from college; and Teddy,
why he was the happiest young fell
low in the world! And why not? Had
he not just emerged from the univer-
sity with colors flying, and was he not
about to ask the girl of his heart to
gladden. his hearthstone for life?
His mother had said to him during
the day: Don't be too sanguine, Ted
dy, for Helen has been accepting at
tentions from Mr.. Hawtrey during the
last few months, and he is rich and
world-weary, and just the sort of man
to fascinate young girl fond Of fat
terry and position"
"Helen loves me, I'm sure" replied
confident Ted, land, besides, she would
mot sell herself"
"Well, my dear, hope you are not
to be disappointed, but the ways Of
the girl-of-the-period are beyond me.
You remember Mabel Coulter7'
VII MdDSi Wuo u illlts OAOhC III
Ted. "and it was not to be expected
that she would marry the man she had
led on; but Helen-I only want her
word that she'll wait until I've made
my future sure. She's true blue!"
AS for the young lady herself, she
felt sure that Teddy Armstrong would
propose that night; and, though she
confessed that her heart was in Il state
of connection when she thought of
him, still 1t would be awful nice to be
Mrs. Bruce Hawtrey and live in the big
mansion, have all sorts Of luxuries and
travel In Europe.
And Mr.. Hawtrey. He was Il Wild
over, old enough to be Helen's father,
and was voted to be something of a
lcad. 1.-THE little Vernon fly" he had
remarked, has lots Of go, and young
wife would be novel plaything, now
that, my clubs and life in general are
getting to be something of n bore"
The guests had all arrived, and ev-
erything was very jolly. Helen Yer
non, Mr.. Hawtrey and Ted were COW
Gritty watched by all, as gossip had it
that both men were dead set" ON win
ming the pretty belle of M.
One rotund dowager leaned toward
her neighbor and remarked: "Teddy
js SO young and Hawtrey SO old that
1t seems race between the cradle and
the grave" accompanying her words
with Il mirthless laugh that made the
sentimental young matron she address
ed, and who hoped that young Arm
strong would be victor, nervous.
lIawtrey, who, to do him justice,
was not SO near the grave as the old
gossip implied, took more of Helena
dances than good form allows, and
also assumed an air Of proprietorsh:7
that made the younger man wild. Fc
forgot everything, and resolved, i'm
petuously to have 1t out with Hawtrey,
quite improperly forgetting that the
blase gentleman was his mothers
guest and entitled to every courtesy.
After his rivals second dance with
Helen, Teddy approached him and said
with sort Of challenge in his voice:
Come upstairs, Hawtrey. have
some capital cognac in my rooms. I'd
Ike your opinion ol IL.
Done, my boy" replied the older
nan suavely.
Scarcely had they reached the rooms
when Teddy began hotly:
"Now see here, Mr.. Hawtrey-''
But lie got no farther. Hawtrey
placed one hand on the fiery boys
shoulder and observed coolly:
81 know what you would say; but
let us not be impolite or hasty. She's
mine IL she will or she's yours If she
will. Go in and win her, IL you can.
Remember, I'll show you no quarter
.all's fair III love-"
"But she loves me, she's only daz-
zled by your money" asserted Ted,
with amazing frankness.
II don't care whom she loves; it is
whom she will marry that interests
me-" answered the older man, with
cool stare.
by heavens, would you marry
girl that only"
II would marry any girl to whom
took notion, If the mood pleased me.
Love is an old-fashioned commodity.
ABh I1elCll. NIL Nucll you
get chance; l mean to, during this
next Dance"
Poor Teddy was stunned. His ideals
were pure, and he very properly re-
garded honor, love and respect rs n
holy trinity. Suddenly an idea seemed
to strike him.
"tAll's fair in love- you say" lie re-
marked CURLY, and strobe from the
room, saying in very low voice. as he
passed his big mastlff, who was dozins
on rug, watch him, Duke!"
The next waltz was half ended when
Ted strolled up to Miss Vernon and
said in Il tone of mock surprise:
"Why, Helen, you of all people to
be sitting out dancer!
The pretty girl blushed and looked a
bit annoyed.
''NIr. Hawtrey engaged the number;
evidently he has forgotten me-" she
replied.
"Finish it with me?"
with pleasure"
Hawtrey did not appear again that
evening, and many We're the comments
because of his strange disappearance;
but Teddy looked supremely happy, for
the girl of his heart had said ayes"
The girls chaffed Helen a bit in the
dressing room because her rich cava-
lier had deserted his principal part
ner; but tke young lady did not seem
in the least angry; in fact, she appear
cd, as one pert damsel said, deadly
superior"
After the last guest had gone, Ted
bounded upstairs four steps at a time
and burst into the room. Duke drew
"A long breath of relief and removed
the earnest regard with which he had
been favoring Hawtrey, who had not
apparently moved from his chair-llad
not dared to move, in fact.
why, Hawtrey, are you here yet?
Every one thought you had gone and