Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-08-08

He had taken off his oilskins. Con-
stance suddenly felt strong disincli-
nation to rise. Being strong willeo
young person, she sprang up instantly.
81 came to ask you If you can see
Mrs. Vansittart," she said.
Mrs. Vansittartw lie cried, with a
genuine surprise that thrilled her with
pleasure she assuredly could not ac-
count for.
"Yes She asked If she might have
word with you"
Hs threw his hands up in comic de-
spair.
Tell the good lady 1 am up to my
eyes in work. The oil is running low.
l must HE me to the pump at once.
have my journal to FILL If there is no
sun cannot heliograph, and have
host of signals to look up and get
ready. And word in your ear, Connie,
dear. We will be 'at home on the rock
for the next forty-eight hours. Give
the lady my very deep regrets and ask
her to allow me to send for hey when l
hence"
she Kissed MIN.
"You dear old thing" she cried. you
will tire yourself to death. 1 am sure"
He caught her by the chin.
''Mark my Words" he laughed. "You
will feel this night in your bones lon
ger than l. BY the way, no matter who
goes hungry. don't prepare any break
fast until l come to you. suppose the
kitchen is your headquarters"
Yes, though Enid has had far more
of Mr.. Pyncs company. She is cook,
you know"
us Pyne there too?"
Gle is laundry maid, drying clothes"
II think shall like him." unused
Brand. "He seems to be helpful sort
Of youngster. That reminds me. Tell
him to report himself to Mr.. Emmett
MS my assistnnt-if he cares for the
post, that is"
He did not see the ready spirit of
mischief that danced in her eyes. She
pictured .ir. pyne "hXihg things" with
Mr.. Emmett mighty quick"
When she reached the first bedroom
floor Mrs. Vansittart had gone.
81 thought ii would be strange If she
stood long in this draft" unused Con-
stance. She opened the door. The lady
she sought was leaning disconsolate
against wall.
'.AIy father she began.
Il fear was thoughtless." interrupt
ed Mrs. Nansittart. "He must be great
ly occupied. OF course l can see him
in the morning before the vessel comes.
They will send n ship soon to TAKE us
off|'
AT the earliest possible moment"
was the glad answer. Indeed, dad
has just been signaling to tug which
will return at daybreak."
There was joyous chorus from the
other inmates. Constance had not the
requisite hardihood to tell them how
they misconstrued her words.
AS she quilted them she admitted to
herself that Mrs. Vansittart. though
disturbing in some Of her moods. was
really very considerable. 1t never oc-
Cured to her that her new ncquaint-
ance might have suddenly discovered
the exceeding wisdom of proverb
concerning second thought.
Indeed, Mrs. Vansittart now bitterly
regretted the impulse which led her to
betray any knowledge of Stephen
Brand or his daughter. OF all the fol.
lies of hayward life, that was i'm.
measurably the greatest in Mrs. Van.
sittart's critical scale.
But what would you? 1t is not often
given to woman of nerves, a woman
of volatile nature, shallow wording,
yet versed in the deepest wiles Of in.
trigue, to be shipwrecked, to be pluck.
ed from living hell, to be swung
through hurricane to the secure in
security of dark and hollow pillar
standing on a Calvary Of storm tossed
waves, and then, while her senses
swan in utmost bewilderment, to be
confronted with a living ghost.
Yet that was precisely what had
happened to her.
Fate Is grievOus at times. This ha.
ven of refuge was place of torture.
Mrs. Nansittart broke down and wept
| in her distress.
| TCoNT1NuED.1