Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-12-02

She was very beautiful-tall, slight
and graceful in every line. There were
a reserve and a grand air in her bear
ing that put people in awe of her. This
awe shared, but us entered the room
she welcomed me with such kindly
grace that felt quite at ease in q mo-
ment.
"Come and sit by me-" she said,
drawing an armchair into the circle
about the fire. 81 want you to tell us
all about great many things"
"You see what you're in for, Con-
nor" said her husband. at is Sc
rions business when my lady. takes one
in hand"
Gas he knows to his cost" she said,
smiling and shaking her head at her
husband.
$50 can testify" put in the Duke.
"Ah! can't do anything with you"
she replied, turning to him.
"Your most abject slave" he replied,
with q profound bow.
"If you only We're" smiling at him
little sadly, Thoughtful keep you
out Of all sorts Of mischief"
"Quite true, Duke" said her hus-
band. "Just look ut me"
The Duke gazed at him a moment or
two. "Wonderfulv' he murmured.
what deliverancep'
Nonsense" broke in Lady Charlotte.
you are turning my mind away from
my purpose"
SIS 1t possible, do you Think" said
the Duke to her husband.
Not in the very least" he replied,
@f my experience goes for any thing"
But Lady Charlotte turned her back
upon them and said to me:
Nov, tell me first about Bills en-
counter with that funny little Scotch
man."
Then I told her the story Of Bills
blur in my best style, initiating, as
have some small skill in doing, tho
manner and speech Of the various act
ors in the scene. She was greatly
amused and interested.
"And Bill has really got his share
readyw she cried. SIT is very clever Of
him"
YES" replied, "but Bill is only the
very humble instrument. The moving
spirit is behind"
"Oh, yes, you mean the little girl that
owns the pony" she said. "That's an
other thing you must tell me about"
The Duke knows more than L." re-
piled, shifting the burden to him. "My
acquaintance is only of Yesterday: hfs
is lifelong"
"Why have you never told me Of
herr" she demanded, turning to the
Duke.
Haven't told you of the little Mere
dith girl? Surely l have" said the
Duke hesitatingly.
Nov, you know quite well you have
not, and that means you are deeply in
terested. Oh, know you WE'LL" she
said severely.
He is the most secretive man." she
went on to Mechanically and I'M
gratefully reserved"
The Duke smiled; then said lazily:
"Why, she's just child. Why should
you be interested in her? No one was,
he added sadly, It'll misfortune distin-
guished her"
Her eyes grew soft, and her gay man
ner changed, and she said to the Duke
gently, Tell me of her now"
1t was evidently an effort, but he be-
gan his story of Gwen from the time
he saw her first, years ago, playing in 4
and out of her fathers rambling
shack, SHY and wild as a young fox
AS he Went on with his tale his voice
dropped into n lax, -aA.ssi~el- +sac; ,r1id;
ne stelneu as il dreaming aloud. UNI
consciously no put Tito the tale mucl1
of himself, revealing how great an in
fuence the little child had had upon
him and how empty of love his life 4
had been in this lonely land. Lady
Charlotte listened with face intent up
on him, and even her bluff husband
was conscious TINT something more,
than usual was happening. He had.
never heard the Duke break through
his proud reserve before.
But when the Duke told the story of,
Ovens awful fall, which he did with
great graphic power, little red spot
burned upon the Lady Charlotte's pale
cheek, and as the Duke finished his tale
with the words, ut was her last ride
she covered her face with her hands
and CRIED
"Oh, Duke, it is horrible to think Off
But what splendid courage!"
"Great stuff, eh, Duke2' cried the
Hon. Fred, kickingsa burning log Wig
orously.
But the Duke made no reply.
How Is she now, Duke?" said Lady
Charlotte.
The Duke looked up as from Il
dream. Bright os the morning." he
said. Then, In reply to Lady Char
lotte's look of wonder, he added:
"The Pilot did 1t. Conner will tell
you. don't understand it,
Nor do either, but can tell you
only what l saw and heard" I an
swered.
Tell me-" said Lady Charlotte very
gently.
Then / told her how, one by one, we
had failed to help her, and how the
Pilot had ridden up that morning
through the canyon, and how he had
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