Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-10-26

converse with you and speaks with my
approval"
STAFFORD looked keenly Mt the girl,
and her heart thrilled as she read the
unspokcn message with quick intui-
ton. He had some use for De Courcy,
and she must be suave and diplomatic.
Thus already she was her fathers ally,
an outpost in his vast concerns now
committed to her. The young man saw
nothing of this, for he had eyes only
for the girl. The broad rim of his
feathered hat was Mt his smirking lips,
and his gaze of admiration was MS I'M
mistakable rs 1t was intent.
"Sir, shall obey you in all things
and hope to win your commentator"
said Frances, with an inclination of
the head.
you are sure of the latter in any
case, my child" replied Stanford, ris-
ing. "And now, De Courcy, l think
we understand each other, and l may
rely upon YOU"
"To the death, my lord" cried the
young man, with another of his courtly
genutlections.
"Oh, let us hope it will not be neces.
sary quite so far as that. bid you
good day. Tomorrow at this hour
shall look for report from you. For
the moment, goodby, my daughter"
No sooner was the earl quit of the
room and the door closed behind him
than De Courcy, with an impetuous
movement that startled the. girl, flung
himself at her feet. Her first impulse
was to step quickly back, but she
checked it and stood her ground.
"Oh, divine Frances!" he cried, chow
impatiently have waited for this rapt
moment when might declare to YOU
"Sir, beg of you to rise. TITS not
seemly you should demean yourself
thus"
"'Tis seemly that the whole world
should grovel Mt your feet, my lady Of
the free forest, for all who look upon
you must love you, and for me, who
have not the cold heart of this north
ern people, adore you, and do here
avow it."
you take me Mt disadvantage, sir.
have never been spoken to thus. /
am but child and unaccustomed; on
ly sixteen this very day. l ask you
to-
"Most beauteous nymph! How many
grand ladies of our court would give
all they possess to make such confess
sion truly. Aye, the queen herself. l
do assure you, sweetest, such argu-
ment will never daunt n lover"
II implore you, sir, to arise. My fa-
thcr may return"
'That he will not. And If he did
'twould pleasure him to see my suit
advancing. l loved you from the first
moment beheld you, and, though you
used me with contumely, yet solaced
my wounded heart that twas me you
noticed, and me only, even though your
glance was tinged with scorn."
Notwithstanding situation that
called for tact, she was unable to re-
sist touch Of the linguistic rapier, and
her eyes twinllled with suppressed
merriment as she said, "You forget,
sir, that also distinguished the keep
er of the hounds with my regard" but,
seeing he WINGED, she recollected her
position and added: "In truth, was
most churlishly rude in the forest, and
I am glad you spoke of it, that now
have opportunity to beg your pardon
very humbly. 1 have learned since
then that you stand high in my dear
fathers regard, and indeed he chided
me for my violence. us twas his duty
to do by hayward child"
The gallant was visibly flattered by
this tribute to his amour propre. He
seized her hand and pressed his lips to