Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-07-08

fumbling, bewildering fashion that
this was a state of affairs of which he
had often sanguinely dreamed, but
neyer-heaven, however with such
unheard of precipitancy. Garden was
even then exceptionally wealthy, and
with his tireless devotion to money get
ting no man might estimate what
would be the end. His own (the ma
jor's) affairs were in Il rather precari-
GUS condition, although few knew of it,
and indeed he had closed the city
house, sold the country place and sent
Alice off for protracted visit with his
deceased wife's relations in England
in order that he might get a breathing
space in which, If possible, to retrieve
his declining fortunes. He had always
had Garden in his minds eye for Alice,
for he had always admired the fellows
sterling qualities. Then the girl had
always entertained a fondncss for Gar
den, looking upon him since childhood
with the veneration and confidence of
brother, for she had no brother her
self. The major had certainly expected
they would marry in moments of ex-
altation, but what nonsense to think OF
such a proceeding!
At this period of his reflections Oliver
returned with Alice upon one arm and
his wife upon the other. Jack himself
was smiling bandly. Mrs. Oliver seem
ed somewhat amused, but Alice was a
| picture of loveliest indignation
She addressed herself first to the ma
jor:
MY dear father, l hope you do not
believe could have been so absurd"
| "H'mv' said the major, in which ut
terance there lowered the very ghost of
an infection Of disappointment. l
thought you did not consent, certainly.
How could think otherwise? But that
fact does not reflect upon Percy's theo-
ries. think they are very admirable"
Garden. thrust his fob into his pocket.
ooh, dearI' said he. II see one has
to be conventional. 1t is part of the
primopdial CURSE
Tbs remark OF Gafden's scanned to
have the effect of dispensing the httis
party, perhaps on account Of Its en-
barrassing pathos. Again. it may have
been n conspiracy o. merely desire to
avoid the scene which Altce's cold, I'M
personal glance toward Percy very
surely Indicated. Her eyes We're upon
the carpet when the others stole quiet
fy out. She seemed gathering from itt
dim scarlet flowers the secret fires OF
i her scorn under which Garden mus
presently vince. When at length she
looked up and found the others were
gone, all save Percy, !. singular look OF
helplessness came iItp her eyes In
stinctively, 1t must have been, they
sought Garden. He was still sitting
with his face buried in his hands
We'll" she said to herself. "how lone
ly he must be after air
Just then Garden looked up.
The action was fatally exact. A mo
ment later, a moment sooner, and al
might have been different perhaps
Garden seemed conscious of Its fatefu
opportunities, nor was he slow to tax
advantage of it. Hurrying over t
Alice, he caught her hands impulsivel.
while she was still i'll that dawnllk
thrall when woman's mystic self i
revealed to her for the first time abso
lutely.
"Oh!" said she dazedly, drawing
away from him. You We're not in eaI
nest, Percy?"
mo, perhaps not, Alice But VIVA
matters it? We have but taken time b
the forelock, haven't we, dearest y
The rest is conventional. 1t was til
old old story, and Percy's pseudo con
mercial impact was sealed after n fast
Z ion that may be traced back to the. b'
: ginning of things.