Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-09-30
The Case Against
Stanton Brooke
By WILSON BROWNING
Copyright, 1905. by
Amcricdn Press Association
ISIS wINsTED was seated on
the low railing Of the veran-
da, leaning against one of the
pillars. Mr.. Hall occupied a

Die design. Inc ume was early even
ing.
MAY smoke, Marie7" asked the
young man. when am nervous
really find tobacco almost necessary"
when you are nervousW echoed the
girl, with laugh. II don't believe that
you have n nerve in your body, Char.
ley
"Oh, yes, l have" said Hall, in his
characteristic slow, steady tone. "I'm
full of them. You don't know me-"
1--WE known you ever since was
born" she replied. you are one Of my
earliest recollections. / distinctly re.
member being afraid of you in my era.
de-"
"At that early age" said he, "a girl
cannot be expected to distinguish be.
tween her friends and her enemies
between those who would protect and
those who would harm her. But you
are eighteen years old now and should
know great deal more than you did
then"
ut may be So" said she. yet some.
how Pm afraid of you this evening
feel as If you were going to say some
thing disagreeable.'
A woman's intuition is certainly re-
markable," said Hall. II am going to
say something disagreeable- very dis
agreeable indeed. And that's what
makes me SO nervous" It was evident
that Hall meant what he said, and yet
the side Of the house exhibited as much
perturbation Us he did. He lighted his
cigar slowly, extinguished the match
with great care and leaned back In the
chair with the air Of one who Is ut
peace with himself and all the world
Miss Winsted got up from the railing
and then sat down again. She leaned
far out, looking up the street as If she
hoped to see some one, and at last she
said suddenly:
well, Charley, what is tt?'
II want to say something about Mr..
Brooke" responded Hall.
IF it's really very disagreeable," said
Marie. don't you think you'd better
say it when he is presentY'
II will repeat it when he is present"
replied the young man calmly, .but I
will tell you first if you'll permit me-"
Charley Hail.. said the girl. 81 new
er know what to do with you. II you
Were any other man, shouldn't hest
tate q moment. should simply tell
you to mind your own business. But
there's dire, deadly insistence in you.
You possess the attributes Of fate. 1 al
ways feel as If 1t were useless to try to
stop you"
ut is In this instance" he replied,
quite useless. AS for my business, you
are my business. would drop any
other In moment to take up the small
est task that might be of service to
you. That's true, isn't it?''
II wish it weren't" she replied. "You
do worry me sol"
''I'm sorry" snid he earnestly, and
with the faintest information Of bitter
ness. ut is undoubtedly very unfortu-
nate that should happen to be in love
with you, but am and always have
been, and"-
You must not talk like that!" she ex-
claimed. 81 am engaged"-
ITO man whom you know nothing
about" he interrupted. "Six months
ago Stanton Brooke came here to be d.
vision superintendent of the railroad.
There is not a soul in this city who had
ever heard Of him before. He came
from somewhere in New England.
From Boston," said the girl hastily,
my mother and l know all about him.
OF course he has told us everything.
Really, there's very little to know. He
has been an orphan from his childhood.
He got an education somehow. Worked
his way through college and has been
at work ever since. / don't think you
ought to say anything which would
tend to make me unhappy. shan't be-
lieve it, whatever 1t is, but it may tor
ment me-
1.-THE first time my eyes lighted on
Stanton Brooke" said Hall deliberate.
ly, 81 knew that he was man who be-
ieved that 1t was natural law that
every girl he met should fall in love
with him."
"You can't make me Jealous" said
Marie. II know Stanton Brooke better
than you do
do you know where he was last
EVENING"" demanded Hall.
Certainly" she replied. He was de-
tanned at the Office"
He was not at the office after half
past o'clockl said Hall. II know, be-
cause was there myself until mid
night"
REALLY, can't hear another word"
said Marie. 'This is the same old in
comprehensive scene that has occurred
so often between us. 1t is the miracle
of my life that 1 permit you to talk to
me Of your love and to dissuade me
from trusting the one man In all the
world whom desire to trust with all
my heart 1t is your immovable per
sistence''-
II am determined to save you from
terrible mistake" said Hall.
II believe I'd rather make it." ex-
claimed the girl. than be saved in a
way that kills my self respect. Thank
heaven" she added fervently, .'here Is
Mr.. Brooke"
Hall rose slowly from his chair as
Brooke came striding up the walk that
led from the gate. He was tall young
man, rather slender, but with good
breadth In the chest and shoulders. Els
manner was brisk and decided, and he
spoke rapidly with clear tone very
agreeable to the ear.
Marie gave both her hands to him as
be greeted her cheerfully, and then he
freed one Of them to extend It toward
Hnll, who seemed not to zee II, though
there was plenty of light.
Il have Just been telling Miss Win
'ted that you were not at the office last
evening" said Hall.
Brooke, who was STOPPING little as
7 about to say something to Marie,
suddenly Strengthened himself.
We'll, that's true enough" said he.
What Of 1tT'
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