Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-07-08
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Garden noticed the blush and slight ag-
itation and became himself very ex-
cited, yet with every evident outward
complacency
"GoodW said he. 81 should say: And
now, If you will excuse me- shall
speak with your father. He is here, !
understand Then, taking out his
watch: ut Is now fifteen minutes Of 10.
Where ia your father
81 think he is''-and never until her
dying day shall she understand how
these words escaped her with such per-
feet inconsequence-"I think he is in
the library with Mr.. Oliver"
Garden arose and, putting the watch
back into his pocket, made as to go.
Miss Coates caught his sleeve. She
was trembling, and the smiles had died
out of her face. Said she: "Oh, Percy
II mean Mr.. Garden-don't be so fool
ish! He will think you are insane
He drew the sleeve away gently. BE
careful, Alice" said he. 1--WE are at
i tracing notice. Don't make scene."
The next moment he was gone. and
in daze of excitement and confusion
!, Alice hurried to the conservatory and
dashed in among the palms.
When Garden stalked into the libra
ry, bold as you please, he found Al
| ices father and Jack Oliver smoking
and chatting listlessly.
I The first thing he did was to whip
out his watch and poise it In the palm
Of his hand Then said be:
Major Coates I have just proposed
to your daughter. and she has accepted
me- Are you willing we should be mar
r1ed tonightT
The cigar fell from the lips Of the
major, and he looked IN blank amaze
ment first upon his interrogator, then
upon Oliver. with slight questioning
aspect In the last glance Oliver burst
out laughing, and the major turned
agan to Garden helplessly and said:
'.Pepcy. my boy, haye you lost your
senses7''
aTrue." the other answered, drawing
q chair up to the table; "this requires
some explanation and Justiaable waste
Of time, doesn't ftp
Then he went into every detail Of The
conversation between himself and AL
ice, us we'll as exploiting incidentally
many Of his views Of life which bore
directly and some even which had no
bearing ut all upon tho subject at pres
ent of vital interest. Then after he had
finished he took out his watch impa-
tiently to note the time that had been
thus recklessly expended in the recital
"Gadr said Coates looking across to
Oliver. There's considerable sound
sense In what he saya"
Nov, this is my plan" continued
Garden. There Is a clergyman here,
DE-. Van Dvery. See how beautifully
everything fits! Oliver here has power
to issue marriage Ipensee, and, as for
witnesses. that need not be mentioned
with such housefui."
"But Allce1'' said the major. II can
not believe her party to such plans"
"Oh. yes: know she will be- agree
able" answered Garden She has said
3d."
"Yet am sure she shall have
changed her mind by this time. She has
had time to think 1t over collectively.
I'll go find her"
NO" put in Oliver, rising, let me
do that for YOU"
| Garden had placed his fob upon the
table and, playing tattoo with his fin
gers timorously. on the crystal Of the
watch, be said:
I'm give you Just three mtnutea-
1 Now the major looked Garden over
carefully. and the other returned his
scrutiny with signal seriousness, much
us he might have looked out of an ear
nest commercial disputation upon an
other business mfn with whom he was
discussing some fine point In mercan.
tile ethica e II g Occurred to the major Y