Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-01-20
ne captain took the prorerea ae,.caoy

TIC captain took the pr0fcred deltcacy.
the time had arrived for more decisive
action. but she had to rely upon her
own Judgment since her sister was I'M
worthy to be admitted into conference.
August, too, was fast drawing to
close and the evenings were too damp
to sit on the porch. II the fog straight
ened Miss Cordelia's locks the satisfac-
ton the more fortunate Cornelia de-
rived from that fact was speedily rout-
ed by the unwelcome truth that it
brought neuralgia In its train to her
own face, md she was never account
able for her temper when suffering
neurotici twinges.
Moved by these conclusions, she in
vited the captain to tea. He came
early and stayed late, and every min
ute seemed laden with Joy, so far as
he was concerned. Heshad evidently
paid more attention to his appearance
than usual, for his garments fairly ra-
dated with their holiday mood, and,
though the tie at his throat was still
(iscieetty black, his spirits could only
beSexpressed by the most brilliant col.
Qrss Itywas the high tide of success in
Miss Cornelia's career. The night was
wet and oppressive. but her chair was
outtof range of the open windows, and,
perceiving this advantage over her RI
vail she was unremitting in her gayety.
Miss Cordelia, however, felt strange
y depressed. The fates were unques-
tionably against her, nor could she re-
Hfeve her laurels when, the meal over,
the captain escorted her to the piano
With old fashioned courtesy and stood
BY to hear her sing. What little voice
che had deserted her treacherously, and
She croaked as hoarsely us any bird of
III omen, whereat the captain retreated
to the backgammon board and chuc-
killed. happily for an hour or SO in com
papy With the other sister,
But II the evening proved disastrous
for Miss Cordelia 1t was full of pleas
ure to three indivlduals-Niiss Cornelia,
tho captain, and last, though far from
least, the little maid who waited at Ia
BILE and who listened with delight to
the wonderful yarns spun by the guest
,and almost choked herself on several
Occasions with her apron behind her
mistress chair to keep from laughing
outright Twenty-four hours later the
account of the unusual festivities was
noised far and near, and Broadmead-'
.ows awoke to the fact that Captain
SJared Taylors period of mourningwas
at an end and lie was going once more
1fntO society. Thus had Miss Cornelia
0verredched herself.
" Sublimely unconscious of the COM
sn1ents made by her neighbors, that
worthy woman pursued the line Of con-
duct she had marked out for herself,
though for a time she was forced to be
idle. The neuralgia which she had
! openly courted seized upon her the
I,,lnorning after the little supper, and
!, for several days she was obliged to go
I; about with her face swathed in fan
mel bandages and deny herself to all
Z visitors. The captain, calling in the
1i.evening, was received alone by Miss
4 Cordelia, and the victim writhing up
stairs cAuld hear the happy mingling
siOf talk and laughter, the tinkllng OF
i the piano and her sisters voice In the
i old songs. She buried her head In the
i,pillows to deaden the detestable sounds.
Never had Cordelia sung SO well. But,
though Cornella thus deafened herself,
lsehe could readily picture the low, pref
sty room, sweet with the breath Of flow
@eFy and unlighted save for the squat
snAs1s-Asls.<-ss.sscs..s aiistu aide. which