Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-12-14


had disappeared. 1t was raining tor
rents now. He opened the gate and
stepped inside. There was a woman
there-a tall, slender woman dressed
IN black, with big Tapping hat. She
was feeding the geese. As John
Houston looked at her ne thought she
might be thirty, or even forty, for the
hair was dead gray under the black
nat. But she carried the grace and
sprightliness of her prime in her 1.-the
movements and vibrant voice as sne
called the geese about her.
i beg your pardon, ma'am," said
john Houston, Il"
"oh!" she said turning sharply,
ARE you the man who frightened my
geese SOP
I'm afraid am" said John.
But you are wet" she said, quickly.
noting the disheveled condition Of the
man. Its perfect downpour.
Won't you come in and dry your
clothes bit?"
John Houston did not hesitate.
Without realizing it, he was thinking
or rheumatism and of the desolate
room at the inn. He passed through
the neat kitchen into the living-room.
And such room! He had never
thought to see its like in Mapleton.
Long, low. with a blazing fire at one
end, 1t was filled with surprises Of
easy lounging places, diyans and cush-
| ions.
Make yourself at home, said the
woman, motioning toward the blazing
fire, "and will have Sarah brew you
warm drink. You are chilled to the
bone"
When she came back with a steam
ing cup on little tray he was stand
ing before the fire. He had thrown
aside his cap and heavy hunting
jacket, and was holding in his hand
picture ne had picked up from the
table. The darkness of night mad set
in, and with it the storm was increas-
ing; The blaze leaped up from the
open wood fire and shone on her as
she entered. A woman never shows
to better advantage than in the fire.
light. The gray hair was an illumin-
alton as it fell in girlish locks on each
side of the face. The face was flush
ed with a delicate pink; her hospital
ity had been good for her-she looked
almost young.
For o moment John Houston did not
speak. There was look in his face
the men in Wall street would have
been surprised to see. His lips were
a little drawn and -srshite. but when
she advanced to set ~ the
table before him he m.
kind of smile. He
ward. "Agnesl" he
ly. Agnes, don't
Inc tray tumbleo and the steaming
liquid poured over the white hand,
but she did not mind.
"Johnl" She was breathless. John
where did you come from?"
From chasing your old gray goose"
he said. "All my life since you LEFT
me have been on a wild-goose
chase" They seated themselves.
Explanations were in order. The hot
drink was forgotten.
why did you run away from me,
Agnes?" John Houston asked.
why? You must have known,
John. Robert, my brother-he de-
faulted. We were SO proud Of him,
mother and l. We paid every cent Of
that awful indebtedness then Robert
died. We came here to bury our grief
and our shame. was afraid Of you
even Of you, John-afraid of the
disgrace"
John Houston rose and stood before
the fire again. How handsome he
looked-a man is not really old ct
fifty.
II have been all my HE on q wild
goose chase" he cried, impetuously.
She rose, too, the old humorous ten
derness on her face and in her eyes.
But you have found your old gray
goose at last she said.-Grace Adele
Pierce, in Los Angeles Times.