Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-10-18

eu. You'll make Inc lose my steamer
and it's the last tonight"
She paid no attention.
II was only joking, Mrs. Houston
You've made me feel an awful ass" he
said presently, trying to laugh. "Let
lis part In peace. as the hymn says"
Her face, if anything, grew more de-
termined. You must wait, Mr.. Dob
bic, till I have explained matters TO
Mr.. Houston"
You intend to tell him everything?'
Everything"
The man considered, and when he
spoke again his smile was ugly. do
you wish to make your husband a
bankrupt, Mrs. HoustonY"
You Wouldn't she began.
would your
"You said three months, Mr.. Dob
bic"
Ibid I?'
"Oh, you-you"-
He, knowing the situation was his,
advanced toward her, saying politely,
"Kindly open the door,"
She turned the key mechanically.
"Till this day week." he said pleas
antly as he passed into the lobby. "Hel-
lo!"
"Hullo yersel," said the aggrleved
voice Of Mrs. Wallace, who had just
come from the kitchen, having entered
by the back door. "Whit's ado? What's
thisy'
Its I'LL right, Aunt Wallace" said
Jess, trying to steady her voice as She
followed her unwelcome visitor from
the parlor. =
"Guidsake, lassie. We LUX as if We
had been SEEM ghaist! What's this?"
AIRS. Wallace demanded in loud whis
per, pointing to Mr.. Dobbie, who was
struggling with the patent lock on the
door.
ooh, never mind, aunt; never mind"
murmured her niece, ready to collapse.
Mrs. Wallace looked sharply at Jess.
els he freen O. yours?' she asked
quickly. SIS he a freen O. Davie's"
mo, nor said the young woman
wildly.
"sic bein' the case, he's nae freen
O. mines," muttered Mrs. Wallace
young man," she suddenly roared,
"quit spilin' the sneck O that door an
pey attention to me-"
"Confound this lockw grunted Mr..
Dobbie, with another wrench at the
handle.
bad language III no. help vel" cried
Mrs. Wallace.
who's the old party?" he exclaimed
angrily, turning to Jess.
"Auld pairtyv' the aunt almost
shrieked. '1'll aud parity We, We tai
lor's dummy, We penny mashcr, ye''-
aunt, aunt" protested Mrs. Hous-
ton.
"Haud yer tongue, lassie! I'm jist
beginnin'! Whit has the man stolen,
JESSE"
"Oh, nothing, nothing"
"I'm glad to hear We catched him in
time but I'll pit the polls on his track
onywey. Weel, Master Burgular, whit
haze We got to say fur yersel, eh?"
White with wrath, the glass mer-
chant turned on her. "Show me how
to open this cursed door, or
l NAISul, 1c Ec
| wi'oot sweerin'."
aunt Wallace, for my sake let him
CO." whispered Jess.
LET him gang? Nae fears. Wait till
Davie comes hame, an he'll maxi col
lops o. this Draw bit O. mankind I'm
no. feart fur him. I'll stab him WI ma
umbrella as shin as LUX at him."
| The enraged man spoke again. do
you know who am?" he roared.
"Wha?" said Mrs. Wallace.
"My name is Dobbie."
"Pm mair curious to ken whit yer
natur is"
"And I'll tell you now that Mrs.
Houston has foolishly compromised
herself
"Whit?" For brief space the elder
ly woman hesitated. Then she strobe
forward and struck him over the head
with her umbrella, splitting his felt hat
and crushing it over his eyes. THAT'S
yin fur you" she cried.
AT that moment he succeeded in
opening the door.
"AIr. David Houston will go bank
rupt for this" he yelled. "I'll show
him no mercyw
AN yell get name either!" cried Mrs.
Wallace, making dash ut him. Yin!
iva! Three! Fower!" And she rush
ed down the garden path after him, be-
laboring him with her umbrella till it
broke at the handle. 1t was an utter
rout, SO far as Mr.. Dobbie was con-
cerned.
II doot I've been whit the gentry ca
vulgar" she painted to herself as she
returned to the cottage.
She found her niece on the verge of
fainting and made speed to soothe and
comfort her both physically and men
tally.
Jess, ma DEAR" she said when the
young woman had somewhat recov-
cred. II doot yell haze to trust yer aud
auntie. Ye Gamma dae everythln' yer
sell. Nobody can. Dinna maxi lang
story ABBOTT 1t, but jist tell me whit
can dae to help ye"
81 ken we've done yer best" said
Mrs. Wallace little later. "An' yell
dae better yet, lass" she added. "I'll
keep 1t secret to please We, but I'm
feart yere takin' over big responsi.
beelity."
But it's only few months now,