Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-05-04
By Force Of Precedent.
BY THEoDosIA GARRISON


The child had been reading for
more than an hour, conscientiously
avoiding the big words, and drinking
in the story like thirsty bee, in
the heart of honey suckle.
She read the last lines aloud, her
high pitched voice sounding strangely
through tho deserted studio:
Love immortal and young, in the end
less procession of lovers.
So through the Plymouth woods
q. passed onward the bridal process
sion.
"The Courtship of Miles Standish"
slid from her hand, and her brown
head sank back in its nest of yellow
cushions. The window was open and
the May breeze rioted gently with the
curtains.
II like to visit Cousin Molly, even
when she isn't here" she thought,
II wish didn't have to go home
ever. hope when go back shall
have the measles again and Cousin
Molly will bring me here for another
change. wonder how l can get it,"
She ran her slim fingers through
her tousled hair and sighed. A maid
stepped over the threshold with a
bowl Of Japanese lilies in her hand
their delicate odor preceding her like
a whisper. She noddedekindly to the
child as she placed them on the table.
Don't. get lonesome, Miss Angus
ta," she said. Miss Molly'll be in
presently. Amt these pretty? Mr..
/. Harding sent 'em up. His window
sill is full of EN-, he says"
"Yes," said the child gravely,
"They smell nice. l never saw any
before came here
She raised herself from her cush,
ions and uncoiled her thin legs.
"BesHie," she said, did you sver
have people tell you what you must
do or mustn't do?'
"Lor'. yes, miss" said Bessie light
ly. "They all does. Nowadays a girl
has to wait until she gets a husband
to do as she pleases."
Tho child regarded her intently.
That doesn't do me much good" she
said. 1--WE got to go home Thurs
day, and I cont want to-and don't
know any one to marry-except--'
she added after moments refec-
tiion-"except Mr.. Harding"
Bessie giggled delightedly. ITO
be sure, MISS" she laughed. "Mr.
Harding, of course"
After the maid had gone Augusta
pondered gravely over her new pro,
ject, and in ten minutes time raal-
lied that it was good. She would
marry Mr.. Harding and prolong her
stay indefinitely in this delicious
place:r There must be way for
person to ask another to get married.
I wonder If l can find it in any of the
books. There is the one where Cous-
in Molly found how to make rare
bit!" She ruffied the pages tenderly.
The Courtship of Miles Standish"
has given her the first peep into the
world of poesy, and she was grateful.
Suddenly her face flushed. She turned
to certain page. "Why. of course
She said. 81 might have remembered.
How easy!"
z She tucked the book under her arm
and walked to the studio door.
Bessie" she called into an inner
room, I'm going to Mr. Harding's.'
She went swiftly down the wide
outer hall, past the doors of many
studios and offices, until she reached
the last of all. She turned the knob
without knocking and stepped into
the large room, with the blue and gold
volume pressed against her thin arm
How do you do, Mr.. Harding?" she
inquired sedately.
John Harding sat at his desk neal
The window, where his lily blooms
made the one bright spot in the som
Der place.
Have you come to see me, chicka
biddy?" he asked. Nov, that's good
of you. Sit down."
He rose and pushed a huge leather
chair toward his caller. He limped
slightly as he walked, and Augusta
commented upon the fact socially.
Cousin Molly says that that'-she
designated his lameness with glance
lis like a medal badge of honor
You got 1t in the war, didn't you? Al
Santiago, she says"
Harding's face Redeemed. "Did Mis-!
Molly say that?" he asked softly. HI
frowned at some inward reflection
and sighed. "Yes--I got it in the war
A nice little souvenir d'Eapagne, eh?'
ne added quizzically.
He drew his chair close to Augusta.
and took her fleshless little hand II
his. WELL" he inquired, land how
goes our private and particular world
Must we bow to circumstances ant
go home to lessons next week."
Augusta, brought full tilt agains
her purpose, paused for moment.
preparation. mo" she assured him
soberly. II don't think SOL dom
think I'll have to; but haven't com,
to talk about that ! have come OF
an errand-a very particular errand.
'fYes?" said Harding, with smile
"And what is 1t, chickabiddy?"
Augusta folded her hands over he
book. Her voice dropped into ar
easy conversational rome. "Cousil
Molly has sent me, Mr.. Harding" sh
said, Ito ask you if you will pleas
marry her?"
"What?" cried Harding.
Augusta nodded graveiy. 1t wa
quite right for Mr.. Harding 10 be SUI
prised. She had no doubt Priscilla
face went red and white and re-
again under just such circumstances
She followed her chosen preceden
constientiously. Cousin Molly
such dear girl" she asserted earn
estly. She's so pretty and she's S
nice. Why, you don't know, when he
picture came back last week, she onl
cried the least little bit, and when
cried. too. she laughed and gave m
some chocolates-five Of them! -an
I'm not allowed to have any, yo
know, and do love them SC, and
and" she concluded rather iamely