Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-06-10
Loves Strategy

MHIL tore down the steps OF the
VI Belvldere and headed for me.

>e1~e--~so>ee
IN HILL tore down the steps OF the
VI Belvldere and headed for me.
ED" he exclaimed, I'm in an
awful hole!
II don't want to borrow money-it's
worse. l invited Mrs. Britain and her
daughter to lunch this noon-you know
the Brittains?'
nodded.
"Now on my way to keep this ap-
pointment met my aunt and cousin
Nathalie.
unfortunately, permitted the old
lady to understand my intention OF
lunching alone at the Belvidere, and
as relative she forthwith invited her.
self"
'.Well7" 1 intcrrogated.
"It's like this. Aunt Hall disapproves
of the Brittains, while my inclinations
tend toward Miss Agnes. Nevertheless,
l am dependent on my aunt's bounty
for all extras and would be In fix
should she decide to raise hades. 80
you can see how I'm up against it"
How do you expect ME"
That's all right, Ed. I've got the
Brittains In the Egyptian room and
auntie In the regular dining room.
Auntie is down on unnecessary ex-
pendlture. intend being present at
both tables"
I followed, humbly glad of IN oppor-
tunity to feast my eyes on the forbid
den fruit of my desire.
Mrs. Hall stared stonily, but Nathalie
was condescendIngly affable, and en-
braced the chance offered by devoting
my entire conversation to her. leaving
to Phil the pleasant task of thawing
out his aunt.
II say, Ed" he exclaimed, after ex-
pending an amount of persuasive heat.
equal to three tons of best anthracite
There Is considerable uneasiness on
the street to-day. Copper Range bal
looming and Steel common depressed.
II the ladies could excuse me an In
slant l should like to telephone a stop
order on Mohawk to samuels."
Certainly. Philip" replied Aunt
Hall, frigldly, and she turned her en-
deavors into an attempt to petrify me
by staring through my head at the
Grecian frets OF the wainscoting.
struggled on manfully until turn
cd with some relief to an approaching
waiter.
'Mr. Fletcher. sir. wants to know,
{ cir, II yoa'lls step down an see I'm.
( Says as 'ow Re as got an option e Will
sell you, SIR
offered my apologies and, divining
Phirs whereabouts, made for the Egyp.
tian room. My fellow conspirator met
me at the door.
N "Now," said Phil hurricdly. He pos
sesses an insulting amount Of energetic
hurry. 1.-THE Brittains are behind the
sixth palm. Tell 'em sent you-say
anything, only keep them busy"
"Mr. Ackley? Why, delighted. Ger
tainly! But while we are awaiting Mr..
Fletcher you might discharge one Of
his promises. namely, that Agnes and
myself are shown barien's latest bit
OF, portraiture on exhibition In the
green ROOM"
piloted the couple through the maze
OF passages with which the hotel
abounded, and finally emerged In the
green room.
An instant later Phil appeared be.
hind me.
ED, l. beg pardon, Mrs. Britain. So
shocking OF me to treat you In this
way, but my duty to my firm and all
that, you know. Ed, Andrews wants
to see you about the purchase of some
Westinghouse rights
'A-er Andrews?" I calculated,
"You IDIOT" whispered Phil. go to
Aunt Hall in the reception room."
turned on my heel and sought the
other couple, and Nathalie seemed gen.
timely pleased at my temperance.
.'Now, mother, Mr.. Ackley can show
us the picture before Phil returns"
..I'm sure that is Mrs. Britain" ex-
claimed Mrs. Hall, raising her lorgnon,
"and Philip" she said. advancing be-
fore me.
.Do you know" whispered Nathalie
to me, .'mother heard of the Brittains'
Invitation and forced herself on Phil
accordingly. She thinks you are an ac.
complete"
..Ohw murmured.
Mother doesn't like the Brittalns!
Doesn't like you either, Mr.. Ackley,"
she added, and fondly hoped that l
detected regret in her voice. "And !
shouldn't talk to you"
as that SOL" said with interest
obliyious Of the trouble Phil was in.
ayes, but"
nathalie, comer' announced Mrs
Hall. sweeping by haughtily.
"Good-morning. Mr.. Ackley," and she
elowered Mt me. murmured my
adieux.
you're foolr' cried Philip, while
the Brittains looked on with amused
comprehension.
1 gazed after the disappearing M
thalie. and found her eyes directed tt
my feet. CHANGING down, stopped and
picked up card:
MISS NATHALIE HALL.
AT home Thursdays.
The Thursdays was accumulated by {
shadowy penciled line.
"a foolv' repeated Phil. angrily.
Certainly" agreed absently, ant
my lips conveyed silent answer Il
Nathalie's backward glance as she
turned the corner.
And, to make long story short. WI
are engaged.
QuAaMIREs SWALLOW RoApBEp