Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-11-29
By j. j. BELL,

o.a 'o'ii' DAVIDSON was thinking OF
giving up his nursery business" Fol
an instant Jess allowed her eyes tc
rest on her husbands face.
AYE; heard somethin' ABBOTT TINT
He wants TO sell his place, for he's get.
tin aud, an lie had some siller left
MN year syne. Some stranger III
likely get the place" The Joiner seat.
ed himself and produced his pine. but
did not light 1t. He leaned forward
gazing into the fire.
His wife watched him stealtbily and
after little eamarked in a casual tone:
Il suppose it's fine nursery"
1T MIGHT he made a fine yin If the
man that had it WAS Keen" lie re
turned, the least thing modify.
Jess smiled. "As keen as yourself
Davie?"
David glanced at her and gave ,
laugh that ended in a sigh. 81 doot I'm
no that keen mondays, lass"
"Oh, Davie!' reproachfully.
Houston sat upright, as if pullin,
himself together, and fished mattel
from his waistcont pocket. AS Ii,
struck 1t against the bowl of his pip,
Jess bent her head lest he should SEE
her face in the light.
"9e ken fine I'm no. that keen" hi
said after he had set his pipe going.
mo, l DON'T
"Weel, yen ken afore lang, for / tel
We, Jess, the garden II be disgrace
this year!" he said, with sad emphasis
"a disgrace!"
"But you mustn't forget the flower
shows, Davic."
Pm done wi shows, I'm done wi
gardens, I'm done wi"-
mo, you're not.''
But l am! Oh, We medina think Tn
vexed, ma dear. l jist wish l had
stoppit the gairdenin' lang syne. dae
that"
"Ohw
But I'm tellin' We the truth"
"But-but Why"
Without having lit his pipe David
threw the burnt match into the fire
Because gairdenin's no ma trade" he
said in low voice. "an'-an' 1 had mac
! business playin' masep when you
when you
"Oh, Davie ladw she cried, greatly
moved.
jess, Jess, We ken what 1 mean. ]
Gamma say it. I'm ashamed before We
An l wantit to be guild man to We
WIFE" He bent forward and hid his
| face in his hands.
For the moment she could not speak
even to try to comfort him, but she
leaned toward him and laid her hanG
on his hair.
"Wife?" he said huskily.
yes, dear" she whispered.
Are We sorry We mairrit me?"
In the fullness of her emotion she
laughed softly-laughed as if she had
been asked a question too ridiculous to
be answered in words.
His hands came slowly from his face.
His eyes regarded her with infinite
wonder and affection.
what kin O wumman are ye;" he
murmured.
1.-THE proudest and happiest in the
world" she said brolienly and in her
turn hid her face.
"Ah, Jess, dinna MAX joke ABBOTT
it! he exclaimed, rising and placing
his hands on her shoulders. Hoo can
We be prood an liappy:"
because you've won, Davie"
'Won! What haze won?'
She was silent awhile, but at last
she said gently, still keeping her face
from him:
"Sit down, Davie, and I'll try to tell
YOU"
Wondering, he went back to his chair
She uncovered her face and, twinine
her fingers in her lap, sat gazing into
| the fire.
Light your pipe, Davie," she said
breaking a silence.
David oheycd in mechanical fash.
ion, CHANGING mt her in puzzled man.
ner.
Presently she abruptly put the ques-
ton:
"Arc you not tired of being Joiner
yet, Davie:'
"Eh? Tired o. bein' a jiner?" he
echoed in amaZemen.. "Whut dye
mean, JESSE"
"Just what i said"
but what wud l be tired O. ma
trade for? Ma, ma! doot ye're maxim