Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-30

PROBABLY THAT 1920 TRAIN IS THE ONE.
save my life," she replied, an anxious
look springing to her eyes. There was
a wistful, half-appealing expression
upon her face as she went on, gazing
timidly at the richly dressed young
woman before her: Maybe, though,
you could tell me. | guess you've been
about n good bit. I'm such stay-at-
home myself
Were you going somewhere? Ex-
pecting someoneY Rosalfnd interposed
kindly.
MY son and his wife are coming"
she answered with touch of pride.
''They were married last week in New
York. They don't expect me here"
she went on. I'VE live good piece
out. But just thought I'd give 'em
little surprise"
Rosalind opened her satchel, and Sc
lecting time table, ran her eye rapid
ly through the schedule list. "The next
train from New York" she said us
due in about half-hour. There is one
at 3 o'clock, one at $50 and another
at 8 tonight"
But he said they'd be here this
morning." she said paling little.
"Then probably that 1920 train is
the one. don't think you need worry
about it."
..rhank you" The little old lady
smiled again, in sudden relief. ~ don't
go about much you see." she explain
ed, "and when do, I'm apt to get n
bit muddled." She cast an apologize
look into the young woman's fresh,
animated face, wondering inwardly at
the beauty of the furs that enveloped
her slender, graceful neck. Then she
looked down at her own worn serge
with the fiimsy, Tapping capes and her
lips twitched. For the instant. a
spasm of nervousness possessed her
What If, after all, Pete's bride should
object to her?
Kosalind stood for moment longer
then took seat beside the little old
lady. May l sit here?" she asked. IL
want you to tell me about them-youl
son and his bride. should uwfully
love to hear" she rippled on, pretty
Towering of roses in her cheeks. "Yor
see-I am bride myself" Her in
fiection softened on the last sentence
The genYineness Of her manner
drew the little woman's eyes to hel
In CLEAN Of gratitude. She lifted
them fiutteringly from the hard, un
gloved hands in her lap and let them
rest for moment on Rosalnds face
There's not much can tell you," she
began in her thin, gentle voice, TEX.
ccpt that Pete's all I've got in the
world; Pete and his wife, 1t is-now,'
she corrected herself quickly. His
father died when he was baby"-
she paused to brush away an invol
untary tear "Since then. it's been q
struggle for both Of us-the boy and
me. But by pinching and scrimping
here and there I've managed to put by
enough to give him his law education
He's got good one now, too, and with
Pete's push, he'll be sure to make his
mark"
"And his wife," RosaIind leaned TO-
ward her suddenly, her breath coming
in rapid little fashion between her
parted red lips. The color in hel
cheeks changing.
The other did not speak at once. sne
smiled, but felt that, In some way, hel
smile was dull and awkward. Present
ly she said: That's what's TROUBLING
me some. ! reckon everything'll be al
right. It's not likely Pete would love
anybody that wasn't-well, good ant
sensible. But she's lived always In $
city, with everything she wanted ant
all that, and she checked herself
abruptly. what do you tl1ink?" she
asked eagerly.
Rosalind laid one of her slim, daint
iy-gloyed hands on the old lady's thir
little arm. II think" she said kindly
that everything will be all right, II
she's n real gentlewoman, and If she
really loves her husband.
I'm glad to hear you say that" the
other remarked with little burst OF
feeling. "for she can't help loving my