Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-03-18


on the subject 1t was some little time
before you told of your engagement. l
supposed that you We're waiting for II
favorable opportunity"
"That's just it." exclaimed George
cnergetically 81 was. Father, do you
know that Miss Rose kept so close to
Clara that n fellow couldn't get two
words alone with her. If we We're at a
party, there was that woman. At pic
MICS it was even worse. Once Clara
and 1 lost ourselves, and just as
opened my lips to utter the momentous
words behold, there was Miss Rose be-
hind us!'
GLOW did you manage finally?"
81 had just made up my mind that l
would ask Clara before her when one
evening at musicale Mrs. Colburn
called, oh, Miss Rose, may l speak to
you moment?' Miss Rose had to go
to her, and we were alone. 1t was an
opportunity not to be lost. Clara l
said, I love you. Will you be my
wife? She had just time to whisper
Yes, George when the enemy was
upon us.
"When we reached the door of their
home, said: Miss Rose, may come
to see you in the morning? l have
something Of Importance to say She
said: Say it now. Clara, my dear, you
may retire l was confused for the
moment, but, rallying put on n bold
front and said: 4 love Clara. She
/ pr, wit o.,
and would like your consent
"She asked, Does your father ap.
prove this, George?' answered, He
does Then she said: There is no one
to whom l would rather give my niece
than to the son of your father. We
shall be glad to see you on Wednesday
and Friday evenings and will expect
you to be our escort to all places of
amusement. Good night Wasn't 1t
| coolY
at was, rather" said the elder man,
chuckling.
"That wasn't the worst of it." went
on George in an aggrieved tone. "When
I went to spend the first evening, she
stayed in the parlor the whole time. !
thought she would surely let me see
Clara alone for few minutes before
leaving; but, no. She looked up and
said in matter Of fact tone: we are
just among ourselves, George. You
may salute Clara before you co. I
gave Clara prim, decorous peck on
the cheek and left"
SIS that all?" asked his father, hold.
ing his sides.
"Allw echoed George lugubriously
"AIl! The worst is to come. You
know that we are to live with Miss
Rose after our marriage. l thought
that things would be different then and
should have Clara all to myself for O
whole month on our trip. But this
morning received note from Glare
in which she tells me that Aunt Rose
is going with us. Imagine-a chap
eron on wedding journey!'
George, you don't mean it?"
cts true" affirmed George; "sayl
we are too young to go off by ourselves
and that we need some one to look aft
er u.s."
II have itv exclaimed Martin senio
after moments thought. "Elope witt
Clara"
"Elope with her! Why, the cards ar
all out!'
81 don't mean now; after the wed
ding"
George and Clara were married and
with the usual accompaniment Of rice
departed in company with Aunt Ros
for tour of the eastern cities.
Miss Rose and Clara occupied sea
together, while George sat in front 0
them. So decorous was the conduct o
the young people that, save for tn
beaming looks cast upon each other
one would have supposed that the
We're n staid married couple of severn
years standing
For the first few hours the coach wa
filled with people, but these dwindle'
away until there were but the tire
left, when Aunt Rose said affably:
George, we are alone. You nigh
hold Clara's hand If you wish"
This is too kind" said George, pos
sessing himself Of Clara's hand witt
J kalacrity. zone would think that yol
had gone through with this sort o
thing yourself, Aunt Rose. You hay
SO much sympathy for U.S."
Miss Rose gazed hard at the youn,
man, a suspicion darting through he
brain that possibly some sarcasm nigh
Turk under his speech, but George re
} turned her look with one so full Of in
nocence that she dismissed the though
us unworthy. Her glance became be
nign, and she graciously turned he
J back upon them.
Isn't 1t too rldlculousy" Whispers
Clara, shaking with laughter. "Bu
you're q darling to bear it as you do"
, eyes; Pm the model Of my SEX" re
turned George "The next time SUI
pose she will say, Clara, you nigh
now return Georges marital caress.'"
II think some one is coming" sal
', Miss Rose as the train slowed up.
Time" growled George, giving Cla
ra's hand a parting squeeze. The coacl
filled up, and they ran along withou
incident for several hours. Then Georg
hurried In from the smoker.
"Clara," he said, come and let m
] show you this beautiful scenery iron
the platform"
"Isn't 1t too windy?" asked Miss Rose
windy? No. Take your wrap, Ola
ra."
Clara followed him with her wrar
and soon the two were standing on til
platform. The train slowed up as !
about to stop at little station tina
seemed deserted, and before she wa
aware Of what had happened Georg
had jumped off and swung her light.
to the ground.
"Hurrah" shouted the young man a
the train. increasing Its speed. spet
away. "Hurrah" waving his cap b
the direction of head that was pro
truded from one Of the Mindows.
,st. tiicir plpcrs