Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-11-02

/ WIS SHDuDic VI pllhSli5 " a e'ssN''
factory conclusion. 1t concerned
highly placed parsonage, whom 1t is
perhaps improper for me to name, and
perhaps unnecessary for me to particu-
larize further. His lordship's intention
was to present this exalted lady with
some gift which she would value for
its intrinsic worth no less than Its ar
tistic quality, and, as he professed him
self no Judge of such, preferring to de-
pend upon the well known taste of my
nation in delicate articles of merit, also
so far complimenting me as to believe
that I could, in suitable manner and
phrase, present this token to the gra-
cious accepter Of 1t, he desired my inter-
vention, and l promised SO to pleasure
him to the best of my poor abilities.
On leaving you this morning made
selection of the gift, and Furthermore
gave hint to the recipient Of its in
tended presentation-a hint, may say. |
which was received with palpable de.
light. Judge, then, my CONSERVATION
when 1 heard of the earls arrest for
he had promised to pay me the money
tomorrow"
The young man paused, his listener
bordering with her eyes on the floor.
She had such deep distrust Of him,
and was so well aware of the preju-
dice, that she struggled against 1t,
praying for an unbiased mind. Yet
much that he had said conceded with
certain things she knew-her fathers
desire that the queen should cease
from meddling in affairs of state to his
disadvantage and theirs; his seeming
friendship for De Courcy, although he
despised him; his intention that she
should be civil to him; his disclaimer
of NIL knowledge regarding what n
woman valued in gift when he pre-
scented her with full purse the night
before all these fitted with the
Frenchman's story. The suppliant,
scrutinizing her perpleXed brow, seem
ed to fear that his chance of getting
the money was vanishing, as he con-
tinued on the line most likely to in
cline her to favor his present demand.
"Of course should not have troubled
you in this matter did not think that If
the arrangement your father wished to
make was important this morning it is
ten times more important tonight. In
decd, his liberty may depend upon it.
am well aware that it is open to me
to say to the lady, Lord STAFFORD is
In prison and is unable to carry out his
generous intentions but i fear the deep
disappointment will outweigh the force
off In rla irsr co..
is not always strictly logical"
'What was the sum agreed npon?"
asked Frances, looking suddenly up.
"a thousand pounds in gold"
The question had been sprung upon
him. and he had answered without
thought, but as he watched her reso-
lutte face shade OF disappointment
passed over his own, MS if Of inward
regret that he had not made the amount
larger should her determination prove
his ally.
II shall see that you get the money,
IL not tonight at the time promised"
She sent for Vollins and placed the
case before him. The treasurer stood
by the table with inscrutable face and
listened in silence, his somewhat fur
tive look bent on the Frenchman.
HAS NJ. De Courcy some scrap OF
writing in which my lord signifies that
30 considerable payment is to be
madeY'
"My dear fellow, this relates to bust.
ness that is not put in writing between
gentlemen" said the foreigner hasti-
ly.
II am not gentleman, but merely
the custodian Of his lordship's purse.
l dare not pay out gold without his
lordship's warrant over his own sigma.
ture."
"Mr. Vollins," pleaded the girl eager
~, my fathers life and liberty may
depend on this disbursement. I will
be your warrant. l have money Of my
own in the north, many times the sum
I request you to pay. Should my fa-
thcr object will refund to you the
thousand pounds. Indeed, will remit
1t to you in any case, and my father
need know nothing of this transaction,
therefore you cannot be held in scath."
II must not do it," said Vollins. Ills
lordship is very strict man Of bust
ness and will hold me to account. He
would forgive you, madam, but would
be merciless with me did consent to
80 unheard Of a proposal. dare not
count out thousand pounds to the
first man who steps from the street
and asks for it, giving me his bare
word"
"But you have my word as well, Mr..
Vollins," urged the girl.
madam, l beseech you to consider
my position. am but servant. The
money is not mine or you We're well
come to 1t. Yet why all this haste?
His lordship can undoubtedly be COM
municated with tomorrow, and then q
word or line from him is sufficient"
"You have an adage, sir, of striking
while the iron is hot. The iron may
be cool enouSh by the time your scru-
pies Of legality are satisfied" warned
De Courcy.
''Hts lordship can be communicated
with. You are quite right. Mr.. Vol
iins." cried Frances, remembering. "He
has communicated with me. ask you
to read this letter and then to pay the
thousand pounds required OF you.''
Vollins read the letter with cxasper-
atng slowness and said at last
There is nothing here authorizing
me to pay the gentleman thousand
pounds"
'True, there is not, but my father
says you are to pay me what moneys
require. require at this moment a
thousand pounds in gold"
1.-THE money is for your safe conduct
to the north"
"You have read my fathers letter
more cnrelessly than supposed by tho
time you took. He says you arc to full
fill my wishes in this and every re-
spect. Do you still refuse meY'
mo, madam, but venture to advise
you strongly against the payment"
II thank you for your advice. can
certify that you have done your duty
f11iv and fo{tbp,Il, yyyiI1 ,,o,, y,N,,Ji