Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-07-27
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Yiolets and Chocolates !
By Paul ohesniel. { {
By Paul chesuick.


e By Paul Chesuick. IA
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1t was not chance alone that
brought Kennaby to Chaplain on the
afternoon in question. Four o'clock
saw Kennaby finished for the day.
He had memory of afternoons, SINH
lar in atmospheric texture to this one,
that were now many years agone.
Five or six-nay, seven-years had
passed by since then.
Along this south side he had walk
ed then to meet Someone-how often?
Brushed up, happy, shyly excited
with his coat fastened tightly over a
light heart, a; bunch of violets in his
buttonhole, a paper bag Of chocolates
IN his pocket.
Seven years since, Ell? Well, we
grow older and grow no worse!
Past and done with? Possibly
like SO many other happy memories.
Someone had been too afraid to marry
. poor man.
I'VE mightn't have been happy to.
kether after all. Probably quite the
reverse" he unused.
With bunch of violets in his coat
and chocolates in his pocket-how
very young!
He smiled to himself even more as
faint perfume reminded him thar
old kingdone had insisted on Giving
him bunchTof glass-house ,iolets.
Kennaby decided that he now only
needed the chocolates. Upon nv
word" thought he, "I'll get them. It's
good to be young again after all these
years"
He turned toward a shop on his left
hand. The shopman was busy with
customer, a girl neatly dressed and
clearly in no hurry to be gone. II
want some of that especial cake" she
was saying. She glanced swiftly at
kennaby, then her face was hidden
from him altogether. Some of that
wedding kind Of cake, you know" she
went on explaining.
I'VE only make it at Christmas.
madam" answered the man.
Must l wait until Christmas for
1t. then?" asked the girl, in a droll
voice. She gave little half-yexed
laugh, and Kennaby felt his heart
stand suddenly still. In an instant
81 time seven gears slipped 49,
shoulders. - - -
well, of course, If you haven't
any," she went on, 81 shall have to
possess my soul in patience"
kennaby opened the glass door in a
dazed sort Of way.
THANK you" she said prettily.
What can do for you, sir?"
oh. yes. Chocolates, please; a
pound Of them. The best. Do you
know that lady?" he asked.
You'll excuse me, sir"
It's Miss Greenslade, is it not?"
The man vouchsafed no direcr ans.
wer.
Which way had she gone? In olden
days the Greenslades had lived in
Harrington road. 1t was Just DOS.
sible that they lived there still.
The old houses had given place to
new ones. Dozens of them; all
aliks.
Why hadn't he spoken at once?
Then he smiled again. Once, when
they had Quarrelled, he had been left
Just like this, with his violets and
chocolates, and his anger.
So heistrolled back to the Common
and along the south side Chaplain.
ward. smiling often. "I'll give the
chocolates to the first child meet"
he concluded; but the violets I'll
Keep"
Some one from behind passed him
with an oblique glance; he seized her
by the arm, with headlong words.
You did startle mel" she cried.
Fancy it being truly you! Yes, l
Thought ! saw you In the shop.
You've not altered Bit
Nor you, save to look younger and
prettieh' he said. ut is good to see
-you. after all these years.
Here are some chocolates for you. 1
was going to buy them. 1t ia
good seeing you again."
The mater will be surprised" said
the girl. laughing and blushing.
Chocolates? and for me-, too!
Thanks, very much. Come along in
to tea with us. We live in fiat near
the station. It's easy for mater, and
better for me-"
For you?"
On, yes; I'm an artist, you know.
OF. rather, sort of an artist"
So they chatted, becoming more at
ease. kenraby told her his news;
how he had prospered. I'm awfully
glad" said the girl in her jolly way.
I have only been contented for
the last ten minutes" said Kennaby.
only since met you. That's
veally why / came back"
She looked at him again with per.
picked eyes, but said nothing. Eyes.
1t was in the hope of seeing you, dear
that came back"
You've said that to ever SO many
American girls, Douglas, haven't
your? Her eyes smiled into his.
mo, honestly, haven't" he pro.
tested. Il have simply worked dur
ing these years. You. at the end of
long, dreary probation. That was
my hearts ambition"
When did you come -back?" she
asked, Quietly, almost drily.
Last Tuesday. You see, have
lost no time. But scarcely expected
10 find you SO soon
You speak as If you were disap.
pointed" she cried merrily. II be-
lieve You are. Here we are"
Lead the way and I'll follow you
to the sky. II need be-" cried Ken
paby.
As she slipped her latchkey into the
lock his arm went about her. II do
deserve Just one" he pleaded hastily,
and hOwed HIS haad RI borv