Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-09-13
CHAPTER 1.
ROSES AND pIrE


~ AVID HOUSTON, Joiner and
III glazier by trade, gardener by
Sa,&4 nature. stood slaclly in the
lss July afternoon sunshine ad-
miring the GLORY" roses that budded
and bloomed on the south gable Of his
cottage. With lazy, loving eyes he
gazed ut them, and now and then he
drew puff from the brier pipe in the
corner of his mouth and slowly emit
ted a thin stream of smoke with some
thing likea assign of contentment. Thrice,
with an effort, he had moved away,
and thrice he had retraced the few
steps and returned to his roses.
The sound Of an opening door caused
him to start. and he grew red in the
face as his wife, bearing bundle OF
washing to be bleached, came round
the corner of the cottage.
"Oh, David" she exclaimed (she usu
ally called him Davie), you've surely
forgot the time. It's after g."
rs it, JESSE" he said, with genuine
enough surprise in his voice, adding
feebly, II didna think it was as late"
The wife of two months regarded
him with grave eyes and shook her
head. 81 thought" she said after a
short pause-"I thought you had gone
back to the shop an hour ago at least
You said you We're going"
Aye. But come an see the roses,
Jess" MH
"I'll see them at the right time
when your works by for the day
David" she replied seriously.
"Och, lass, We medina be that strict
wi yer man." lie retorted good humor-
eddy. "There's naethin' daein' at the
shop this weather Here, Jess, did ye
ever see a bomber
"rhere'll never be anything doing at
the shop unless the masters there
said Mrs. Houston firmly. Its moi
right, David"
But Angus is there"
Angus! And what can Angus do?'
well, he's no. tit for muckle work
but-but lie can tax ORDERS"
"And forget them"
"Puir buddy! He's gettin' audi
said David gently.
"Thats just all the more reason why
you should be looking after things fol
yourself. Oh. Davie, Davie, l doubt
you're too easy goingv'
Her husband looked uncomfortable
for he felt the truth of her remark
though, as a matter Of fact, he was not
any more easy going than the other
tradesmen of little INTERCHANGEABLE
Sea.
Mrs. Houston broke the awkward 81.
lence, speaking more lightly than she
felt. "Off you go!' she cried, laugh.
ing. "Off you go this minute, Davie
lad, or I'll have to start the joinerine
myself!'
His pipe had gone out, and he slipped
it into his jacket pocket. "Ye see
lass" he said apologetically, "the
Ardmartin show is on Saturday an ]
Gamma but think O. the roses.'
yes. I know, Davie," she returned
with sudden sympathy. You're not
to think ! don't care about your roses
but-but'- u.
Pm a lazy, stupid fella!' he inter
rupted. IN AVA to ma work" And
he hurried off as If from temptation.
He turned at the garden gate and
waved his hand to her, and she waved
hers to him, smiling. But as soon as
he disappeared her young face grew
thoughtful, and she sighed as she
started to spread the items of hel
washing on the green.
When she had laid out the last OF
the bundle she rose erect, stretching
out her arms and forcing back he,
shoulders, for she was tired and stiff
with the days work, which had begun
between s and 6 o'clock in the morn
ing.
A short chuclile sounded behind her
"Aunt Wallacew she cried, turning
and endeavoring to smile Cheerful
welcome
"Ye're learnin', wumman; yer;
learnin'," observed her relative, starin;
at the white patched green. mae doc
yell dae better next time" she added
bending her elderly but still activ.
body TO examine at close quarters ;
specimen of her niece's washing. IAN
hoo's yer guidman?" she inquired, ris
ing at last from an inspection S,
lengthy, so keen and SO patronizin:
that the young woman could scarcely
restrain her temper.
Hes quite WE'LL thank you, aunt
she replied, controlling herself.
l,l ~ D..
Il thocht lie micht be no vera weel
seem that lie needs ABBOTT three 'oor.
TO tax his dinner in"
did you meet him on the road?"
81 seen him, but he ncvct. let on b,
seen me-
Perhaps IL kept him little lat,
today" said Jess.
''ie MIGHT ken better nor dae that
Jessie. He's lazy enough wi'oot Y,
kcepin him. But his fayther, put
man. wis jist the same. 1t bates me t.
ken hoo his bit business hauds thegith
err never seen his mither. She wi.
deid afore cam to Kinlochan. Nv,
heard she had vair time WI he
lazy man. Aye, an doot it's vessel
II be haein' a.
"Come into the house, and I'll make
you a cup Of tea. aunt" said Jes:
hastily. you've had warm walk"
Mrs. Wallace lived in cottage abou
mile along the shore, to which she
had retired on small annuity ON thu
death of her husband some ten years
ago. But she was Glasgow horn anC
bred and had never really got into
sympathy with the Kinlochan natives
ana their ways. 1t was during the moi
infrequent visits to her aunt, however
that Jess had come to know David
Houston, and, although the old lady
was fond of holding up the mans OBJ
Hious faults to the girl, she had never
actually attempted to interfere will
the course of true love. "Efter A., hes
dacent lad" she would say TO herself
AN maybe Jess II make n man o. him
There's naethin' pecly wally ABBOTT hin
onywey."