Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-11-21

UO TIR8 rang Out WTOuyh the JOTeSC
Stiffness.
Iitse," said the latter, wien they
We're seated and clinging with their
little dusky arms round his legs, "are
the very FUNNIEST little kids l ever
came across"
Durnovo gave an impatient laugh
and went on toward the house. But
Guy Discard stopped and walked more
slowly beside Meredith as he labored
along heavy footed.
"They are the jolliest little souls i'm
aglnable" continued Jack Meredith
'"There,' he said to them when they
had reached the doorstep, run away
to you mothcr-very fine ride-no,
no more tonight! I'm aweary, you
understand, aweary.."
"Aweary, awe-c-e-ary!' repeated the
little things, standing before him in
infantlle nude rotundity, looking up
with bright eyes.
"Aweary, that is it. Good night,
Epaminondas; good night, Xantippe!
Give We good hap, most stout Nesto-
rius!''
He stopped and gravely shook hands
with each one in turn, and, after fore
ing a like ceremonial upon Guy Oscard,
they reluctantly withdrew.
"They have not Joined us, sup
pose:" said Oscard as he followed his
companion into the house.
Not yet. They live in this place.
Mysterious, | understand, takes care
of his mother. who in her turn takes
care of this house. He is one and
half"
Guy DISCARD seemed TO have inherited
the mind inquistive from his learned
father. He asked another question
later on.
"Who is that woman:" lie said during
dinner, with Il little nod toward the
doorway through which the object of
! his curiosity had passed with some
plates.
THAT is the mother of the stout Mes
torirls," answered .Jack-"Durnovo's
hOusekeeper."
He spoke quietly, looking straight in
front of him; and Joseph, who was
drawing a cork at the back of the room,
was watching his face.
There was little pause, during
which Durnovo drank slowly. Then
Guy Oscard spoke again.
IF she cooked the dinner" he said,
"she knows her business"
Yes" answered Durnovo, "she is
good cook. If she is nothing else"
1t did not sound rs if further inquiries
would be welcome, and SO the subject
was dropped with silent tribute to
the culinary powers of Durnovo's house
keeper ut the Msala station.
The woman had only appeared for n
moment. bringing in some dishes for
Joseph-a tall. stately woman, with
great dark. eyes. in which the patience
of motherhood had succeeded to the
soft fire of West Indian love and youth
She had the graceful slow carriage of
the creole. although her skin was dark
err than that of those dangerous sirens.
They call me-" she had said to Jack
Meredith in her soft, mumbled English
fortnight earlier, they call me
Marie"
The children he had named after his
own fantasy, and when she had once
seen him with them there was Il not
able change in her manner. Her eyes
rested on him with II sort of wondering
attention. and when she cooked his
meals or touched anything that was his
there was something in her attitude
that denoted special care.
Joseph called her "missis," with
| sort of frienaliness i'll his voice which
never rose TO Ladinage nor descended
! to familiarity.
| The man who had found the simia-
T, cine MAS cAser. restless, fill of suspi-
/ cion. 10 the others the scheme obvious
! ly presented Itself in Il different light.
| Jacl; Meredith WAS Gllettante. light
hearted ami unsatisfactory. II WAS liz
| possible II arsuSa any enthusiasm in
him. to make lin, take it seriou,.y.
Guy Dsrafd was :ravely Indifferent.
! lie wanted TO get rid Of Il certain space
of tire. and Tie African forest, CON
ta.2:a' rs Ii dill the only excitement
! that ) lai--e heart knew. was as good