Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-05-04
were slcky You're a little feverish, /

were sick! You're little feverish,
think"
He took Augustus hand and felt for
the pulse In her thin wrist. After a
moments earnest scrutiny she swept
his hand and his questions abruptly
away.
WELL" she cried, why don't you
say it? Now is the time. Say it,"
Say what?" said Harding, in trou-
bled bewilderment
"What?" She waved her book at
him furiousdy. why, what you should
say" she cried, excite lily. "T'hy
don't you speak for yourself. Angus
tap What else should you say?'
The door was tapped upon and
opened simultaneously. well, good
people," said fresh young voice. 81
have come for my runaway. It's
time for her medicine. Have"
The young girl paused. startled at the
sight of Harding's face. why. what
| is the matter?" she asked.
Augusta broke in upon Harding's
hesitation. ooh, Cousin Molly, he is
so stupid" she cried, sharply. II
have done it quite right. Bessie
said If wanted to stay here l should
marry Mr.. Harding. and I have asked
him just the way John Alden did, ex-
actly. l told him you wanted TO mar
ry him-I thought I'd rather say YOU
than Bessie-and that you had sent
me to ask him, and"
Augusta" cried Cousin Molly. Her
voice pleaded, commanded. Her pret.
ty face flushed from chin to brow.
Augusta rushed on unanimously
"And he didn't say It at ALI" she
cried Indignantly. why don't you
speak for yourself, Augusta Not
once. Wait, "I'll show it to you"
She threw herself on the floor with
the book and turned the pages rap
idly. Harding made an embarrassed
step toward the girl. 81 don't think
she is quite WE'LL" he said, lameiy.
Il beg of you-"
He stopped abruptly, at the sight
of the misery in the girls face. the
unshed tears in her eyes. A sudden
binding shock of revelation seemeJ
to SHOW him. in moments space, a
new heaven and new earth.
Molly" he cried. 81 never hoped
hardly dared pray am so old
so unworthy, Molly" He lifted her
hands reverently in his.
Let me go" she sobbed. ooh, let
me go!"
She made trembling step toward
the door, but Augusta, triumphant,
barred the way.
Look" she exulted. Here it is
just as I said: Why don't you speak
for yourself. John?' That was what
Priscilla said. Why don't you speak
for yourself. Augusta?' That was
what he Should have said" She star.
ed reproachfully at Harding.
wait moment" he said
He took Molly's hand in his and
led her to the big chair beside the
window. will you wait a moment
just one?" he whispered. at means
so much TO me. MOLLY, l beg of
YOU"
The girl nodded, bending ker flush.
ed, agitated face against the cool
pane of the window above the lily
blooms.
Harding went swiftly back to Au.
gus!a. She noticed, without compre
hending, the new light in his trans
| figured face. He took the book from
her hand and read the title with moro
than twitching of his lips. Miss
Augusta" he said gravely, 81 apollo.
gize for my stupidity. f so Jong
since j Tecefre-5ia proposal that l
had almost forgotten the approved
method. Needless to say, you have
made me very happy. can honestly
assure you of that. But before give
my final decision let me make pro
position: Would you rather go home
on Thursday and in, say, ten years
time-you're eleven now, aren't you!
come back and marry mel think
we could arrange it by then-or would
you rather stay on now with Cousin
Molly for another month";"
Augusta regarded him earnestly
"a whole month";" she echoed.
II stake my honor that you shall,
said Harding, land have now-this
instant-a box of hocolates-brown
creamy ones"
| Augusta interrupted him. "a big
box?" she inquired.
/ Pounds" he said.
Tied with ribbons?' she asked
cautiously.
Yards of it," said Harding.
with fiat pair of tongs on top?'
she demanded, breathlessly.
Three pair, if you like" sale
Harding, promptly.
Augusta hesitated no longer. "I'l
take the chocolates" she said.
Harding drew something from his
pocket and handed it to her. "Yor
know the store" he said. Get then
yourself"
Augusta was off on the instant, like
the colt she resembled. Her slim leg.
twinkle over the threshold. The
door slammed behind her
Harding went rapidly across the
room to the silent figure at the win
dow. He dropped beside her chail
and lifted both the trembling hand.
to his lips.
molly dear. dearest" he whisper
ed, I'm going to speak for myself
! now."-New York News.