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

ana q ScOldfn' from his master into
the bargain! l told 'im-biess me, I'll
make you a cup of tea in two minutes,
Miss Prissiey'
Miss Priscilla's cropping hand had
gripped hard, horny one. as though
to save herself from falling.
I'm all right. Betsy"-there was a
strange, pIteous expression in her blue
eyes-.quite right. Yes. I'll go and sit
down. But don't want any ten, or
or to be disturbed for half an hour.
please. Betsy"
She passed on into her small, sun
bathed sitting-room. and closed its
door behind her.
Miss Bentley! Why, of course! She
had seen Major Duff walking with her
after church on Sunday. Such a
young, pretty woman. too-Aliss Pris-
ella put out her hands with an odd,
Involuntary gesture. us though she
were avoiding a blow. And then she
remembered the letter she had posted
an hour before. and they few to her
face, and she covered in her chair
with the shame and the hurt of 1t all
u little, shrunken old woman who had
told man who did not want her that
she loved him.
That evening the somewhat unwill-
ing Betsy set out to deliver a letter
which had been penned three times
over before its characters We're firm
enough to satisfy the writer.
"Dear Major Duff" 1t ran
II have sent on your letter, which
was left here by mistake, to Miss PEN
elope Bentley. was always the mis-
chievous zone in the old days, dear
friend. but by this time you will just
be having good laugh over the joke
which naughty old woman could not
resist playing upon you In pretending
that she had applied Its contents to
herself! 1t really was too bad of her!
Please forgive her. and accept very
warm wishes for your happiness, from
your sincere old friend,
PRISCILLA BENTLEY"
Miss Priscilla peered between the
laths of her blind with dim, scared
eyes until Betsy's thickset figure pass
ed out by the garden gate. And then
she got down on to her knees. She
had told her first lie.
"But-bless my soul. Prlscilla-I
may say. Priscilla now. suppose p,
An excitable. white-haired man was
tramping Miss Bentley's sltting-room,
blowing his nose violently the while.
Pm ashamed of you! And that girls
a Jewel! I've good mind"-he shot
out a protecting arm which gave the
lie to his words-''to-to marry her
after all, except that she wouldn't
look at me-"
Are you-are you sure?" faltere,l
Miss Priscilla. She was smiling. cry
Ing, apologizing. in one fiutterlng. en-
barrassed breath.
"Am sure? When she's just told
me that she's promised to a strappiIg
young fellow In the guards! Look
what you let ME In for! l went this
morning to apologize and explain like
man, though I've faced less unpleas-
ant things on battlefield, Priscilla,
and somehow-well, out 1t came about
your little joke, ma am. And she held
her tongue, and stood looking out of
the window for minute or two. and
then round she turned with her eyes
all wet-though I'm flattering myself,
mind you, that 1t was at the thought
of losing me-and Go and tell her you
hold her to her joke! says she."
"Oh, major-I-I mean Alexander!
She must be IA very" Miss Pris.
eilla's gentle little voice broke sud
denly before an adjective came.
mot word against her Priscilla"
the old soldier wheeled round fercely
she's the sweetest woman. barring
one"-his rugged face softened into
sudden teplerness-.'who might have
known that a heart which she stole
when its owner was in petticoats ana
bless me, what does the old lady
went this tme?'