Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-02-03

IA ''sr lasnlOn, 100, Miranda jane
really loved Jim. He was big, good.
natured and brcad.shoudered fel.
low, who was kind even to tho small.
est Of Gods creatures, and never
spent his earnings for the coarse
pleasures INDUCED in by the other
men of her acquaintance.
He often said, in his quantity hum.
ofous way, that he was born for bet.
ter things; and he meant to have his
rights some day. Miranda Jane thrill.
cd with pride 10 hear this great,
strong fellow half afraid to openly de.
clare his love; but she was in no
hurry to let him know that she meant
to accept him.
You know Sal Perkins never comes
down here" she said, with shy lit.
Tie glance from under her sunbon-
net. She's too rich-tco crazy"
Il amt locking for Sal. | don't like
her red hair and freckles The gal I'm
looking for has yalier hair like sun
shine. eyes like bit of clear blue sky
and cheeks like June cherries, all pinl.
and cream. You amt seen such !
girl hereabouts, have you?"
1T must be Mary Ann Reed, cross
the creek she answered thoughtful
ly She's got light hair"
Tow hair" he retorted, scornfully
as he moved nearer to her You know
as well as do, Miranda Jane, who I'm
looking for"
How should l know" she replied,
digging her bare toes deeper into the
mud. you amt never told me-"
I've ailus bin half afeared to-" he
said, trying to get hold of the not over.
clean, but small, shnpely hands that
nervously toyed with the frayed hem
of her faded apron.
Miranda Jane, like Jim, had a ma
ture capable of better things than her
hard life had developed in her; and
she possessed, moreover, the instincts
of born coquette.
"'Oh just to think, afeared of a
gal,
An me just six-foot two,"
she sang mockingly.
He laughed, Though he flushed to
the roots of his curly brown hair.
We'll, Miranda Jane, when fell
ler's sure of himself, and not sure of
the gal, he kinder breads to have her
laugh at him."
THE gal wouldn't laugh If she
loved him." Miranda replied in low
tone.
Then you do know of gal here
abouts that's willing to be Mrs Shade,
don't you, Miranda Jane?" And he
boldly put his arm about her.
II amt said so," was the quick re.
ply, as the girl drew herself away
from him with the air of queen,
While she wondered whether she was
acting as her favorite heroine would
act under the same trying circum-
stances.
Say, Miranda Jane" he said coax
ingly, as he once more drew her to-
ward him, lets go to k this af-
ternoon, got license, and surprise
folks by coming home married. The
cabins ready for you at any time, and
l need you."
Miranda James face was radiant and
rosy under the limp sunbonnet, as
Jim boldly pressed his first kiss on
her lips.
That evening saw Miranda Jane in.
stalled as mistress of the little two
roomed cabin on the hill above the
flats; and it was wonderful to see
what a gift for housekeeping she de-
veloped. The rooms were always
sweet and clean; and she herself
fresh and neat in her simple calicoes.
She no longer envied, or eSss.ssad of
dime novel hereines, ffoS sls 1fafse eff
was living romance as sweet, if
more pure and simple, as any she had
ever read. And she and Jim are slow
ly striving together for the rights"
of the higher and better life to which
they feel themselves entitled.-Wav-
erley Magazine.