Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-12-23

Nas1e by divining rod - =.
4 Haskl Hark! The Christmas song Is sungi
An0 nells by unseen hands are rung,
{ There's joy and peace on every tongue;
Ohio Farmer.
n6E fr5aStt
HOW THE OLD YEAR WENT OUT "A.
& =. BY MAURICE COLEMAN. ~
~~eo.~~~.~Se~.
* EARD of Dora's engagement, sup.
upose?" asked old Col. Foster briskly.
"Capital fellow. George Standish, lit
tls old for the girl, perhaps, but she
seems to like him, and Of course my
wife Is pleased,
/ nodded and murmured something
( conventional. How could l tell Col. Fos-
ter that for the last two years had
regarded him MS my prospective father
= in-law, and that l had even been fool
enough to come down to the Grange
! with an engagement ring for Dora in
my pocket!
Well, well, l had been fool, it SEEM
y %, an utter fool, and the sooner l got
back to Chicago the better; If they had
not been having that dance, the annual
New Years eve affair, believe should
have made some wild excuse and got
away. Dora fitted into the study; she
looked wonderfully bright and pretty.
U, here you are, JACK. When did you
arrtve3 Fancy sitting here with father,
when you might have been having nice
tea with mother and ME in the drawing
= room, and mullins, Jack, o, such heaven
ely mufnns. s
Il must congratulate you, Dora"
spoke In my best manner, stiffly and,
hope, sternly, putting as much reproach
In my glance as could.
Thank you SO much; the house is up-
side down with excitement, and the
Kris. as you will find, can talk of moth
Ing but bridesmaids dresses. AS to
mother, she is radiant with pride. for.
shall be quite "a great lady, shall
not daddy, dear? o, here's the ring
She held up a slender finger for my
inspection, circled by cleaning hoop
of large and scintillating brilliants. In
voluntarily contrasted the costly gage
with the simple ring reposing in my
waistcoat pocket. oh, yes, Dora had
been wise in her generation.
"
had privately determined not to ask
Dora to dance, but, all the same, valse
No: found us sitting out together in
the darkest and most bescreened of re-
treats
.Is It not nice, and dark, and coy "
laughed Dora gleefully. II rugged it up
myself this morning. "Why are you SO
gloomy and silent, Jack?"
The truth is," l answered, II don't
+ feel happy over this engagement of
yours; Standish is SO much older than
: ron are"
! ..Well. / know that" She tapped her
pretty foot impatiently. .'But listen,
Z Jack, to the true position Of affairs.
was rather fond of somebody ago,
though he evidently did not care about
me. Well, nm not the sort of a girl
who goes breaking her heart and max
Ing everybody uncomfortable and miser-
able. Mr.. Standsh appeared and show
ed pretty plainly that he liked and i'd
mired me-
But have you told him that you are
not IN love with him, Dora 2"
ss. Of course have, 4and he is rather re-
lieved, for he is not really in love with
me. He has spoken the truth honestly.
too; he adored his first wife; he was
devoted to his daughter and almost
( broken-hearted when she died last year,
He wants me TO TAKE her place in a way.
to have youth about his home again,
some one to pet and spoil.'
Here is n wedding present, Dora /
said. wish you all possible happiness.
dear" ,'''
"A wedding present! But you did not
know, Jack. till father told you this af-
i ternoon?" -
She looked at me with brows slightly
knit, wistful expression in her ewes:
then. unwrapping the paper, she flushed
all over the face.
II was simple ring, made to my own
design-one pearl, with stem and leaf
3 OF small diamonds, made to resemble a
mIstletoe. -
II think 1t lovely. Jack, but l don't
quit understand Did you mean 1t only
! for New Years gift o.
told her all, then, told her how had
loved her from my college days, and had
always Ind before me the hope OF win
n ne hersfor my wife.
Why did YOU not tell me, Jack?''
she cried. 20, jack. Jack. why didn't
you speak ?"
Because was n poor man, Dora.
have worked hard, Dora, and last week
was offered place that means bread
Z and butter and jam. so went straight
OF to the jeweler and ordered that little
ring for you..
Is She burst into sudden shower of
tears. o, how longed to kiss and COM
fort her.
II have loved You so, Jack. felt
ashamed Of myself ct Inst, thinking you
s did not care, and then mother was SO,
: pleased at the thought of my making a
! great marriage, and Of course it would
Be nice for the girls So -
Dora rose to her feet with little
laugh; she brushed away all trace Of
tears with a dainty lace handkerchief.
Take back your ring, Jack, dear. can
! not wear two on the same finger, and,
5 Jack, have queer sort of fancy to
+ dance the old year out and the new year
IN with you. Will you come and find me
hare little before u o'clock9"
At about quarter to IL / took my
{ way downstairs. Everyone seemed wait
Ing for the JOY bells of the New Year.
noticed Col. Foster standing by the win
dow, ready to open 1t on the last stroke
Z Of the clock.
Dora was not alone; George standish
was with her. AS far rs could see
In the dim light he was holding her
hand. would have retired, but Dora
called my<name quickly.
Goodnight, dear. and good-by. God
bring you happy New Year. Dora. /
am departing with the old year.''
Az Standish spoke Dora frankly and
nks child turned up her face, and he
Ssbtk hsssd hss fosshsads Hi5 brow.