Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-12-21
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ing had been forgotten. Clos
ing her satchel, she turned to leave.
when the sound of muffled sobbing
came to her ears. She listened intent
u. then impulsively crossed the wide
hall. and raped at the opposite door.
In answer to low come" she en-
tered. and was surprised to fnd. on
couch before the doing fire. the wo-
man who, six months before, had be-
come her fathers wife. From the first
Chiffon had been determined not to
like her. but the older woman's gen
tleness and sweetness Of disposition
were beginning to make an impression.
81 am not dressing for dinner to-
night Jane. shall not go down; !
am too sad and my head aches. came
In muhied tones from the pillows.
Deft fingers loossned the hsayys
masses Of hair. and i L GENTLE mcgee.
trating massage follow riie: & sur
prises =. 3zsed her eyes, catch
ing her breath with little half-sob
90 abe saw 1t was not her maid. but
the one whose love she despaired OF
gaining.
.sThis is very sweet Of you. Rose,
dear" she said gently.
Indeed, I want to make you more
comfortable" answered a soothing
voice. II cannot bear that any one
should suffer. Why are you 80 mis-
cradle, Mrs. Carroll Is your son worse
today"
.Mrs. Carol! Is that the only name
you can find in your heart to call me
dear? l wonder II you will ever call
me mother7 have always longed for
daughter; your own dear mother
could be no more tender than would
be II you would only open your heart
to me"
II really care for you." answered the
girl, kissing her warmly. Wont you
call me Chinon2 Those love call me
BY that name"
"Such dainty pet name! have
not dared to use 1t. Do you think,
Chiffon, that your fathers heart is moi
big enough for us both7 would not
take one iota Of his love from yoa."
The proud head was gently lowered
az Gibbons arm crept around the
others neck, and as their tears min.
rled the barrier was gone forever.
"Mother, why do you not bring your
boy here7 Surely your home should
be his. Let him have my rooms, they
are the sunniest. l shall be gone a
month; by that time he may be able
to move to the suite above. How long
II It since he was injured?"
"He has been In the hospital nine
months, his horse fell on him and his
spine was hurt. The surgeons prom
Use complete cure. but the waiting
IL 30 tedious, and the suspense almost
unbearable.
"will you accept my offer?" asked
: Chiffon. my visit will be happier II
you do.'
II gladly accept. dear. Philip never
would have come without your inyi.
tation."
..What sensitive boy!' exclaimed
Chiffon. "Give him my warmest sym.
pathy and tell him feel that we shall
be warm friends. 1 will help to amnse
him when come back: does he care
to be read top
HE is very fond of company" an.
swered his mother. 'but is very sensi.
tive about the crutches he Ia obliged
to use.'
Chiffon had anticipated no end Of q
good time. Although she was enter.
tanned continually her heart yearned
for home, and at the end of three
weeks she surprised them by returning
unannounced.
How Is our invalid?" was her first
question, after affectionately greeting
her father and mother.
Improving every day." answered
her mother; "you must see him after
dinner. He is anxious to thank you
although he said 1t would be rank
presumption to accept the use Of your
rooms, and occupies those over yours
What an unusually thoughtful
boyg laughed Chiffon.
Immediately. after dinner she ran
over the stairs to the invalid's apart,
ments, armed with two Of Henty's
newest books for boys. which she had
brought home from the city; also, a
bound volume Of 81 Nicholas Maya,