Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-18
CHATTER IN.


"A RRs. KELVIN insisted upon
IM ordering the carriage to
take us home, though 1t was
not far enough to warrant
the trouble. She overwhelmed Donald
with expressions of gratitude and as
surances OF her great and triumphant
faith in his powers.
The poor boy was dazed us II by
some sudden and weighty sorrow. He
repeated, "Thank you; thank you, Mrs.
Kelvin" in the manner Of one who
receives condolences that are power
less 10 druw his mind away from his
bereavement. While we were riding
home he was unable to restrain his
tears, and, being at the age when one
his eyes diligently.
The deacon and Dorothy were on the
veranda as we drove up, and Carl
Archer came out of the house mo-
ment later.
"Unclc will tell you" said Donald,
evading questions and .questioners with
nervous haste. "Pve got to dress for
dinner"
he vas half way up the stairs, as
Judged by his speed, before any one
could utter Il word to restrain him.
Thus deserted by the hero of the oc-
casion, told my story as briefly and
clearly as could. Carl occasionally
interrupted me with u question. but
Dorothy and the deacon said nothing.
Obviously they viewed the story in
different light.
Before had finished Donald thrust
his head between the wings of the
screen door
"Alother." he called, "can have my
dinner served in my room? don't
feel very we'll"
The tone in which the last words
We're uttered was intended to be con-
yincing, but it made us all laugh.
"Come out here, you big stupid" said
Dorothy. I'VE won't talk about it."
He advanced with hesitation and
embarrassment Presently we sat
down to dinner. which was served out
of doors In the red rays of the sunset,
and throughout the meal Dorothy
made good her pledge, checking every
reference to the adventure of the day.
Late in the evening l had word or
two with Donaldson upon the subject.
Dorothy and have tried to talk this
matter over two or three times" said
he, but it results in mutual recrimina-
tiog SO we have tacitly agreed not to
me Ion it again"
DETERMINATIONS" echoed.
"She says Don inherits this from
me-" he replied, with smile, land l
say that he inherits 1t from her That's
rs far as the discussion ever goes. I
don't know what she has said to Don.
haven't said anything. He'll stop Of
his own accord"
4sgI knew from old experience that any
attempt to draw him out upon this SUBJ
ject would be futile. Three minutes
was the limit OF time that his mind
could be held upon it. So we passed
to other matters. and said that was
glad to have heard him sing with Doro-
thy that evening, of late years he had
sung SO little.
my voice is getting old and worn
out" he said. ~ am past my singing
days"
assured him with sincerity that
their two voices had never sounded
sweeter than ON lhat very evening.
"Dorothy's is as fresh as II girls" he
replied. 30 my ear, certainly. 1t hasn't
changed at ALL"
at seems to me that it has improved
in the last two years. said |.
"She has used 1t more" said he. "a
singing voice needs exercise. and after
mine grew rusty Dorothy neglected her
own until Archer came. She likes to
sing with some one else. | wouldp'.
call Archer great tenor" he added
with smile, but his voice has th'
ring of youth IN it."
Donaldson" said somewhat impa
tiently. that gray hair Of yours hal
made q crank Of you"
He walked up to mirror and con
templated his image.
Il look like big old weather beatel
gatepost in snowstorm," said he.
Dorothy came in Just then and In
sisted that we must go out to see tn
beauty of the night. She was in higl
spirits and throbbing with life. TIL
moon then nising, she declared, was tn
most glorious that had ever risen, an,
we must look at 1t from the high gate
as we call that entrance to the ground
which is on the brow of the hill.
Donaldson leaned back against tn
mantelpiece, with his elbows upon II
and surveyed his pretty wife, VIII
stood there eager and impatient as
child.
'"This reminds me- he began, bu
Dorothy broke in upon him.
Nov, deacon, don'tp' she cried
Don't be reminded Of anything. Ism
this night good enough? Come GU
and see the MOON"
So we all went up to the high gat
together.
On the following morning met Ke
vim, and we exchanged growls. notf
ing more. The affair of the damon
collar seemed not to have improved hi
disposition nor to have altered his al
titude toward me. Kelvin was begir
ming to be somewhat of n puzzle
There was and had been from the fri
queer look in his eye that lacked a
explanation. could not account fo
it by anything that knew. Indeed
it seemed to have its basis in som,
thing that he knew and l didn't.
sly and waiting look it was. glimps
Of treason, stratagem and spoils. br
what 1t BODIED was unable to guess
For some days following the affair {
the diamonds met him frequent
upon the streets of Tunbridge and a
ways passed on wondering what migt
lie in his mind.
He and Mrs. Kelvin were plainly M
in accord. The woman had taken
sudden and sincere liking for Donal'
She tried to establish herself upo
terms of friendly Intimacy with Do
othy. and she praised Donald with 4
true voice that his mother was Quit