Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-07-09

upon the low roofs, islands In sea of
snow, softened the sordidncss of the
rude, wooden shacks, touched them
with the artists wand and made them,
from group of unseemly intruders, al.
most an acceptable part IN the lonely
grandeur of the wilderness. Henly's
eyes unGnsciously sought the same
scene. His whistle died away. and his
whirling stick dropped to the ground.
The two hardened old campalgners
/ We're usually MS remote from sentiment
us gun barrels, yet now they stimuli
taneously sighed-the abrupt, gruff
gasp of storm weathered veteranhood,
yet, Enthusiastically as the soft breath
of a girl. the sigh of happiness and
content and love.
AT that unexpected and startling
eruption from the breast of either each
turned as one caught in deed of dark
ness and faced the other. reddening.
"l'll not be kapin' yez, Fin, If It's
afther waikiki yez are" said the cor
poral, almost angrily, and took a step
forward.
"Only to the suffers for a beer" said
Fin, more conciliatory. "Will you have
oneY'
Il am off the BOOZE" said Healy
shortly and disappeared round the cor
raj. "Whut the divil wuz he hangin'
aroun' for so mysteriousY' he added,
with most unfrlendly irritation.
Where's the old son of gun off to
all alone anyway, and what the dickens
was he signing about, like blessed
cook stuck on u dog robber?" the far
rier soliloquized frowningly as he
strobe to the post traders for his beer.
And over his glass he pondered long
until, as he drank second one. his
frown was heavy and black.
by jiggers" he cried suddenly to
the startled bartender "I'll take no
chances anyway. I'll do It tonight or
bust! Give me beer, John, my boy
and good luck to both of usv'
I Once Healy was safely away, his
long legs quIckened their action until
he almost ran down the sloping. slip
perry trail to the creek, across the I'M
rallied, dangerous bridge over the
creek and. with almost the hopeful
spring Of youth, across the plain to
the outskirts of the mushroom town.
1t neared sunset when he reached the
first outlying houses and branclIed off
across lots to one little two storied
cottage which stood quite by itself.
very small, very neat and very unpro
tected. Healy paused fifty yards from
1t, drew long breath, blew it out
again with explosive determination
and charged the little front door as If
1t were an Indian outpost, yet when
he reached 1t his knock was most mod
est, and the martial red of his face
feebled to Pickering pink. A little
woman, as neat and unprotected look
ing as her house, opened the door
Perhaps 1t We're more explanatory Of
her appearance to say that she looked
us If inviting protection. such n slip of
woman, yet not devoid of plumpness
In the cheek. such n blushing woman.
yet not without twinkle In her eye.
"Oh. Mr.. Healy" said she. II hardly
expected am glad to see you! Won't
you come in? What has brought you
into the town again todayi"
\ "Ah, Mrs. Bell. Mrs. Bell" said Hea-
~ CALAMITY, what wud be afther
bringin' me but jist soight av thin
swate oyesi"
"Mr. Healy, I'm surprised" said the
little widow. with quicker twinkle of
those dangerous eyes. but / don't
believe you. You people mt the post
all say the same thing. and none of
you mean what you say, not one"
| "Who- who's been DARN to
say that same thingY' cried Healy in
angry surprise.
Mrs. Bell laughed gleefully.
"Come in, corporal" she said. "Do
you think III tell you who said any.
thing to me at all and have you eating
the poor things up? Do come inn
"Begab, an can't jist ylt, Mrs.
Bell" Healy answered. They'll be
afther callin' me name ut retrate. Mrs.
Bell, swnte Mrs. Bell. Pm askin' yez
to look at this wee bit av writin'."
"oh." cried the widow. suddenly ami
mated, do tell! Is 1t an Invite to a
hop at the pOst2 Are the soldiers 60
Ing to give another danceT"
mot yit!" exclaimed Healy, throw
Ing out restraining hand as Mrs.
| Bell began to tear the envelope Not
yit" he repeatedly tenderly. "Whin
I'm gone, Mrs. Bell It's-it's-a mat
ther av business. me dear"
Business, corporal"
"l'll be afthcr an answer tonight
Lit 1t be the roight wan. swate Mrs
Bell"
"Oh, Mr. Hcaiy!" the widow MUIR
llt ,n1 ,1,,. Ia,
In his arms and gave her hearty kiss
"Oh! oh! Mr.. Healyp she cried and
blushed ugain.
Lit 1t be the roight wan, swate Mrs
Bell" the corporal repeated and ran
AWAY. himself Il shamefaced red and
fearful to look round to see If any one
had noticed them.
The farricr, being privileged char.
acter, was excused from tattoo roll
call. Therefore there was nothing to
hinder him. an hour after retreat, from
locking his room door in the troop stu.
bles and speeding away through
slight fall Of snow on pleasure bent SO
1t happened while Corporal Healy WAS
standing stifily to attention along with
Ills troop. answering the Call of his
name at tattoo. with the snow gather
Ing thickly about them. that Fin Strait
was comfortably seated in the neat lit.
tie unprotected house, protecting from
all corners the neat little widow.
but must be going" he said for
the tenth time. "lts getting late. and
the snow gets deeper every minute. II
want to get home at all tonight, |
should be going now. Mrs. Bell"
yes. Mr.. Strut"
Il was thinking you must be very
lonely here since-you know
The Widows eyes ceased to twinkle
and winked away u tear or two.
ut is lonely. Mr. Strait" she answer
ed him.
Fin shufIied his feet nervously and
looked out beneath the neat red win
dow shades.