Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-03-11
JOHNS TEST.
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fore. And. to tell the truth, John,
that's just what's the matter-that be.
fore certain definite point in my life
no male creature ever deigned to cast
glance at my insignificance, that be-
fore Aunt Mary invited me to spend
month with her in New York and sent
me home with carload of trunks, con-
tanning nothing but wearing apparel
expressly designed and manufactured
by New York and Paris modistes to
set forth and enhance my previously
undiscovered beauty, that before
came home and lost all my girl friends
ont Of Jealousy for my better clothes,
men were not In the habit of tumbling
all over themselves to tell me twenty
times a day that they loved me-"
She smiled provokingly at the look
of genuine establishment that her sud-
den outburst had brought to the SEN
sitively lined masculine face before
her.
And now, you. whom considered
my best friend, have become as non
sensical us any of them. 1t is true you
have said the apparently enticlng
words but once, and stumbled over
them at that. by the way. but, con-
sidering that we have just arrived at
the picnic grounds and that presently
shall ask you to take me out in a
canoe on the lake. and expect you to
ask me to go with you again after
lunch, doubt not that by the TWEEN
tieth time you will become as fluent as
the Others"
"Millie. can't deny that shall
probably keep on repeating the ques-
ton until get the one answer that
will satisfy me, but when you accuse
me of wanting to marry you because
you may have more or less worthless
finery on, it's beyond"
John Atwood. / don't know what
you designate as cheap finery, but |
would have you know that this gown,
as well as the boa which adorns my
shoulders, was a special present from
auntie and imported direct from
Paris" The ruffled feelings sought
consolation In rearranging the fluffy
creation of lace and artificial flowers
that composed the neckwear In ques-
ton.
you understand what meant, Mil
licent. / can't say you don't look nice
in that thing around your neck, but
liked you just us well in the brown
dress that you used to wear with
brown ribbons. and then you used to
lat, ut
An indignant shoulder turned In his
direction was the only answer.
But won't you please hurry and
ask me to take you out on the lake, as
you said you would, before do the
asking and offend you again"
The pouting face. half hidden behind
the white parasol. looked almost rs
though about to refuse to go out on
the lake altogether. but John pulled
up canoe and quietly began arrang-
Ing the cushions. When lie had fin
ished, n figure behind parasol stepped
in and settled down among them.
Nothing was said until they had
proceeded nearly across the lake and
We're skirting along the opposite shore.
Then as John was padding idly.
watching reflection in the water.
voice suddenly demanded that he
turn aside and enter an opening that
the shore made at this point and
through which could be seen a small
pool of water thickly studded with the
white blossoms of the water lilies.
Without hesitation John turned the
nose of the canoe In the direction in
llcated and padded up to the point
of entering, when he noticed that the
water in the inclosed space was very
shallow and covered surface of dark
looking mud.
He stopped progress and waited for
the owner of the voice to observe the
state of affairs. but the voice youcb-
safcd nothing but nm impatient com.
mand to continue. Then he spoke in
non-committal voice of the advisable
ty of entering where there was in
suiIicient water to allow padding. But
the flowers cleaned white in the sun.
light and scornful ripple of laughter
was his answer.
AIanlike, he gave in to woman's
within and pushed the boat into the
midst of the lilies. He reapcd reward
in the lowering of the parasol and n
-companionable face smiled upon him
as the owner proceeded to tuck up the
rufiies preparatory to plucking from
the water the brown-stemmed lilies.
But even before the first flower was
obtained the catastrophe happened.
A great, ugly-looking green dragon
fly rose loudly buzzing from the flow
ers, directly under the side of the
boat, and, pcrceivlng the gently sway
ing fiuffiness above the canoe, and per-
haps deceived into thinking 1t new
mass Of bloom yet unexplored, dived
mt once in its direction and succeeded
In alighting with moments dispatch
directly under pink chin, with the
rough wings brushing dimpled
throat.
1t was all over in n minute. A
startled cry Of feminine terror, panic.
stricken spring for the other side of
the canoe. and John found himself
knee-deep in black. Shiny mud, with a
bedraggled and dripping little figure
weeping Historically upon his Shout
der. and an overturned canoe within
his reach.
1t was then he saw his chance. Mil
licent. stop your crying. never saw
a worse looking creature in my life."
A white face of establishment turned
up to his. "And, for heavens sake,
take Off that black, oozy thing around
your n,sx." Unconsciously muddy
fist stole up and dragged off the cling
ing mass Of slime and dropped it with
shudder.
"Now. Aiillicent. will you marry
mei" Not till then did the face show
any comprehension of the words being
spoken. Then fash Of color appeared
under the streaks of black and quer-
ulous little sob escaped from the
TREMBLING lips as, buryiug her face