Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-02-15
A Won1an's Way

0)j ed the long line of figures before
- him.
1T is a smash-utterly and absolute
~ smash. Well, it's no good whining
Pm done for"
Jack gave a sigh, for there was
something more than financial loss i'm
pending, and he knew it.
Throughout the seven and twenty
years Of his life, he had been accus-
toned to regard himself, and had been
regarded by others, as rich mans son.
.Wetmore & Wetmore had always been
held above suspicion. AS he sat in
his comfortably furnished rooms he
could hear the cries of the newsboys
with the special edition of the evening
papers:
Further details of the wetmore fail
ure."
He rose from the table and pushed
the papers YEARLY from him. Stroll
Ing into the dressing room adjoining
he exchanged his smoking jacket for
dress coat and arranged his tie with
critical air.
III 1t is to be my last appearance"
he said, "at least I'll make 1t as out
wardly respectable as l can"
Then he frowned and looked
thoughtfully at the fire, his hands un-
consciously moving toward the mantle
piece till 1t touched massive silver
frame containing portrait, recent
one evidently, Of particularly hand
some girl.
TITS no good. Bessie-no good, my
dear. l dare not speak to you now.
I'm done for"
Twenty minutes later the butler at
Blansford's announced Mr.. Wetmore,
and after few words with Mrs.
Blansford, his hostess, he passed into
the ballroom. In all the brilliant crowd
there was only one face he looked for,
one well-known figure for the sigh of
which he yearned.
At last, after wandering through
several rooms, he saw her. She was
sitting under a shaded lamp, appar-
emily paying but little attention to the
man who was talking to her. But the
instant Mr.. Wetmore passed through
the door she beckoned to him.
Come and sit here, Jack" said she,
pointing to the vacant seat just left
by the other man.
v-sis regarded him with an amused
little smile and nod of approval She
was young woman with ideas of her
own, and she appreciated the light,
careless manner with which he seemed
to carry his misfortune.
You don't look very doleful, Jack,
under the circumstances"
He laughed little.
shy dear Miss Blansford, do YOU
think 1t would help matters if went
about looking like mute at flu.
neral?"
"And pray, my dear Jack" she re-
torted mockingly, "since when have |
become Miss BlansfordY"
"since heard the news last night"
he answered grimly.
"Oh, very well, if you are going to
20 and quarrel with your friends lust
because you've lost little money"
"It may be little, but unfortunate
" 1t happens to be all I've got. l owe
a good deal besides"
Wetmore rose and held out his hand.
He was fast losing his self-control.
~ must be Off. came only to saw
good-by to YOU"
Miss Blansford closed her fan with
snap.
"slt down, Jack. at once, aud don't
be an IDIOT
Taken aback at this sudden and per-
emptory command he obeyed.
Now, then. what was 1t you really
came to say to me?"
ITO say good-by. and ask YOU to
wish me good luck" lie answered,
"What would you have said if things
had-had been different? Shall tell
you:" she whispered. You would
have said, Bessie, l love YOU And
now, just because you're goose and
an idiot. and happen to possess more
money than l know what to do with
you would rather die than say four
simple little words like that"
"Oh. Bessie.
"Yes. oh. Bessie" she continued
mockingly. ITS always. oh, Bessie.
And yet through sheer obstinacy YOU
are putting poor Bessie to the trouble
of making formal proposal for the
honor of your hand in marriage"
Wetmore sprang to his feet.
II won't llsten," said lie. 1T is not
fair of you, Bessie"
Fair or not, do you think / am 60
ing to have my whole life spoiled for a
few wretched conventions and a
charming dowager or two?"
They'd laugh at you, Bessie, and
say l married you for your money"
LET them laugh. And as to your
marrying me. l would beg to remind
you that the positions are reversed
and that it is l, Elizabeth Blansford.
commonly known as Bessie, who here
by asks you, Jack"
II am no fortune hunter, and marry
you WON'T
no not know it is your pride that
prevents you from speaking? And that
is why have done what l have"
81 should be cur if took you at
your word" he said. Bessie. have Il
little mercy. Don't tempt me-"
Jack. is your love for me SO small n
thing that you cannot sacrifice little
of your pride for it? DO you think
my part has been so easy?"
For moment there was pause.
Then Jack said:
You've won. Bessie" drawing her
to himself, land heaven give me the
power to make you happy"
well. then, there's one thing you
must not do, Jack"
and thatY"
you mustn't make me fight so hard
to get my own way again" INDIAN
apolis Sun.
af
Boy Viewers of Persia.
Boys from to 12 years old do
great part Of the carpet and rug weaY-