Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-11-14

profits equally. After that We must
come to some fresh arrangement should
you or Meredith wish to give up an
active part in the affair. presume
you would not object to coming up at
the end of the year with a handy
squad OF men to bring down the crop
under escort:"
NO" responded DISCARD after u mo-
mcnt's reelection. 81 should be able to
do that"
81 reckon" continued the other, "that
the Journey down could be accomplish
ed in two months. and each time you
do the trip you will reduce your time"
Eyes"
"Of course" Durnovo went on, with
the details which lie knew We're music
In Oscarl's ears-'of course we shall
be a clumsy party going up. We shall
have heavy loads of provisions. am
munition and seeds for cultivating the
land up there"
yes" replied Guy Oscard absently
In his ears there rang already the
steady plash of the paddle. the weird
melancholy song of the boatman. the
music of the wind amid the forest
trees.
Durnovo rose brislily.
"Then," lie said. you will join usi
l may telegraph out to Meredith that
YOU will join u.s."
Yes" replied Discard simply. "Yor
may do that"
''There is no time to be lost" Dur.
novo went on. Every moment wasted
adds to the risk of our being super
seeded. l sail for l.o:,ngo In n fortnight
vii! you come With meg"
YES"
WheL purnovo lad gone Guy So,
down and wrote to Lady Cantourne nc
cepting her invitation to spend few
days at Cantonrne Place, on the Solent
He explained that his visit would be ii
the nature of farewell, as he was
about to leave for Africa for little biz
game hunting.
Miss Millicent Chyne was walking OF
the sea wall at the end of the garden
with Guy DISCARD. One of the neces
sary requirements of a modern educa
tional outfit is the power of looking
perfectly at home In score Of differ
ent costumes during the year, and
needless to say, Miss Chyne was per
fectly finished in this art. The manner
in which she Wore her sailor hat, hei
blue serge and her neat brown shoes
conveyed to the onlooker, and especial
ly the male of that species 1--WE cannot
in conscience call them observers), the
impression that she was a yachts
woman born and bred. Her delicate
complexion was enhanced by the faint
est suspicion of sunburn and few ex.
ceedingly becoming freckles. There
was freedom In her movements which
had not been observed in London draw
ing rooms. This was Diana-like and IL
perfect keeping with the dainty sailor
outfit; moreover, nine men out of ten
would fail to attribute the difference to
sundry cunning strings within the (Lon
dom skirt.
ut is sad" Millicent was saying, ''to
think that we shall have no more
chances of sailing. The wind has quite
dropped, that horrid tide is running
and this is your last day"
She ended with little laugh, know.
ing full well that there was little senti.
ment in the big man by her side.
Really" she went on, II think ]
should be able to manage boat in
time, don't you think SO? Please en-.
courage me. am sure have tried to
learn"
~ do not know If you have learned
much" he answered.: but have"
what have you learned?' she asked
In n low voice, half fascinated by the
danger into which she knew that she
was running.
THAT love you" he answered,
standing squarely In front of her and
announcing the fact with deliberate
honesty which was rather startling.
II was not sure of 1t before, SO I
stayed away from you for three weeks;
but now know for certain"
"Oh. you mustn't say that"
She rose hastily and turned away
from him. There was in her heart {:
sudden feeling of regret 1t was the
feeling that the keenest sportsman
sometimes has when some majestic
monarch Of the forest falls before his
melciless ritie-.a sudden passing desire
that it might he undone.
"Why notY' he asked. He was des
perately in earnest, and that which
made him a good sportsman-an un
matched big game hunter, calm and
self possessed in any strait-gave hin
n strange deliberation now, which Mil
licent Chyne could not understand
"Why not?"
II do not know = because you
mustn't"
And in her heart she wanted him to
say it again.
II am not ashamed of It," he said
land do not see why should not say
1t to you-or to any one else, so far us
that goes"
mo, never!" she cried, really fright
ened. ITO me 1t does not matter so
much. But to no one else-no, never!
Aunt Marian must not know it-nor Sir
John"
Il cannot see that it is any business
of Sir Johns. OF course, Lady Can.
tourne would have liked you to marry
title; but if you cared for me she
would be ready to listen to reason"
In which judgment of the good lady
he was no doubt right, especially ii
reason spoke with the voice of $4,000
per annum.
"DO you care for me?" he asked
coming little closer.
There was whole world of gratitied
vanity and unqualified curiosity fol
her In the presence of this strong man
ut her elbow. 1t was one Of the SUI
preme triumphs Of her life, because he
was different from the rest. He was
for her what his first tiger had been
for him. The danger that he nigh,
come still nearer had for her sense OF
keen pleasure. She was thoroughly
enjoying herself. and the nearest ap
proach that men can experience to the
JOY that was hers Is the joy of battle.
Al.