Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-01-20

great 1mpartiality. Then, prompted by
some "Reminiscences, he found himself
speedily launched on an ofttold tale.
As he meandered on in his numbering
sentences the two women sat separat-
ed by his bulky person, eyips each
other critically and paying only an out
ward attention to his prollxity. At
that moment each OF them felt some
faint regret for the old happy peace
which had gone completely from her
life. When the captain had finished
his story and found his regard in the
glass of mulled wine which his hostess
placed at his elbow, that lady in her
suavest tones asked for the pleasure OF
his company at tea on Thursday. And
this was Tuesday! &
"Why, ma'am," he returned heartily,
"I'd like to come first rate, but Judge
Bascom's folks have invited me to sup
per that night
"Then Friday" smiled Miss Corne-
liza, though she felt the iron enter her
soul.
"That's engaged, too" laughed the
captain as heedlessly as boy. I'm
down for party at the Lanes. Twill
seem queer to be going to a party
again, but Mrs. Lane wouldn't take no
for an answer. She said 'twould liven
me up to see the young folks dancing
and she'd answer for 1t hadn't for
gotten how to cut pigeons wing with
the best Of 'em. Anyway, she'd lead
the Roger de Coverley with me herself.
She wouldn't let me Off on that"
Saturday.! gasped Miss Cornelia.
Every sorry, ma'am, but I'm going
to organ practicing with the Hunters.
Dear, dear, how time flies! Twas only
the other day that Cephas Hunters
little Molly used to toddle over to our
house to play with the shells I'd
brought home, and now, bless me, she's
grown to be woman, with voice
that sings the very heart out Of a
man! 'Tain't any wonder they give her
first place In the choir. I'd rather hear
her sing than the parson preach, and
think my chances for getting to heav-
EN- would be stronger. Somehow she
mikes you feel ns II you were Just out
side the gntes of gold. Come now.
Mics Cordeiia,s you're Judge Of mu-
Sic. Don't you think she gave Rock Of
Ages fine idsE Sunday 2.
EYES," statnmered poor Miss Corde-
liza; Every fine" Z
The captain hummed the hymn soft
". His. eyes had tender, reminiscent
glow. Miss Cornelia sat looking on in
silence for a few moments. Then she
gathered herself together for one last
| effort.
SISTER" she suggested, suppose you
give us some music now. The captain
and will discuss later when he can
come to u.s."
"Well, do seem to be in demand"
the visitor chuckled complacently, "and
l won't say don't enjoy 1t. A man
gets kind of soured being by himself
all the time. II you'll believe 1t, ma'am,
haven't an evening free next week.
don't know what's come over Broad
meadows all Of u sudden. It's Captain
Taylor here and Captain Taylor
there. Lord, ma'am, Pm as flustered
as girl going to her first party, and
there-there-I didn't know cared 30
much for people after all."
Miss Cornelia smiled sympathetical-
ly, though in that moment, with her
quick perception. she saw the complete
destruction Of her hopes unless she
could retrieve them by a master stroke.
She turned remonstrant eye upon
Cordelia, who, pale and aghast, was ut
terly defying the voice of authority.
Come, sister," she said, with an ac.
cent of firmness not to be questioned;
'some music"
Yes, Miss Cordelia, some music,
some music!" roared the captain.
Cordelia rose obediently. She dared
not offend either Cornelia or their
guest. She CROPPED her way to the pl-
ano and touched the keys softly. There
was no light in the room, but she told
herself passionately that she did not
need any. She had been blind all along.
Nowsshe could see In Cornelia's hands
she was mere puppet to serve her
purposes and then be cast one side.
Hadn't she any feelings to be consid-
cred? Didn't she care? Was 1t any
worse for her to try to win the cap
tain's affections than for Cornelia or
any of the other women in Broadmead-
ows? She meant affections, not money
or land or house. She did not take
material things into her reckoning for
a moment. They had no weight with
her. And there was nothing she could
do Even her little feeble piping must
Jar upon him when he thought Of Molly
Hunters flutelike voice. Her chilly
fingers struck few random chords.
Then sudden resolution filed her,
and she began to sing.
Meanwhile Miss Cornelia brought all
her charms to bear upon the man ut
her side. He leaned toward her, unac-
cOuntably flattered. There was no de-
nying TINT She was fine woman, a
well preserved woman. He did not be-
lieve she had her equal In Broadmead.
ows-for cooking. A comparison he
had often made mentally between her
and his own careless, crusty house.
keeper occurred to him on the mo-
ment. At the remembrance he moved
his chair a trifle nearer and put out his
hand half sliyly. but something in the
music floating through the open win.
d0ws made him pause.
CHAPTER III.
There was strange vibrant quality
In: the thin voice, an unexpected note
Which thrilled him irresistibly, and
suddenly he found himself thinking
not OF Miss Cornelia and her cakes,
not OF Miss Cordella and her gentle
ness. but of a certain pair of warm
brown eyes that only that afternoon
had smiled upon him. He was fool,
an old fool. lie told himself, to remem-
Der such things but the undercurrent
of his thoughts went on like some
| sweet antiphonal strain. Love was still