Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-09-05

She lvds crying softly.
apart, cut off from the sufferings with
in. He lifted his eyes to the somber
arch of the heavens. Men said the age
of miracles had passed. Pray God it
might not be so!
When Brand went out the sudden
rush of cold air through the little door
lending to the balcony aroused Pyne.
That young gentleman was rudcly
awakened from seriously vivid
dream. He fancicd that Constance and
he were clinging to the tail of an enor-
nous kite, which had been made to
hover over the rock by green imp
seated in an absurdly small boat.
They were solemnly advised by other
snomcs, imps with sparkling. toadlike
eyes, to intrust themselves to this pre-
carious means OF escape, but the in
slant they dropped off the ledge of the
gallery their weight caused the kite
to swoop downward The resultant
plunge into the ocean and Constance's
farewell Shrek were nothing more ter
rifying than the chill blast and whistle
of the air current admitted by Brand.
but Tyne did not want to go to sleep
again. He did not like emerald hued
spirits which arranged such unpleasant
escapades.
He Strengthened his stiff limbs and
sat up.
He was about to feel in pocket for
his pipe-he experienced the worst
pangs of hunger after waking in such
fashion-when he saw woman's head
and shoulders emerging out of the
stairway.
AT first he thought it was Constance,
and he wondered why she had mufiled
her face in the deep collar of cloak,
but the visitor paused irresolutely when
her waist was on a level with the floor
She uttered little gasp Of surprise
"You, Charlie?" she cried. II thought
you slept in the kitchen?"
mo, Mrs. Vansittart," he said. Il am
assistant keeper, and I am here most
all the time with Mr.. Brand. But what
in the name Of goodness
Il was restless" explained the lady
hurriedly. 'If had remained another
minute among those women should
have screamed aloud. How peaceful
you are here! Where Is Mr.. Brandt"
Guess he's gone outside to squirt at
the weather. But come right in. can
offer you n chair. Mr. Brand wants to
see you and this Is a quiet time for
chat"
"How does he know me? What did
he say?"
Mrs. Vansittart pressed her left hand
to her breast With the other she kept
the high collar over her mouth and
cheeks. Pyne could only see her eyes,
and the alarmed light that leaped into
them increased his establishment Mt her
unexpected presence.
ut seems to me-" he answered, "that
If you just walk up four more steps
and sit down you can ask him all those
things yourself"
Were you speaking of me to him?"
II did happen to mention YOU" q
"And he said lie knew me?"
mo, ma'am. He said nothing of the
sort But, for mcrcy's sake. what mys-
terry is there about it?"
Mystery! None whatever. was
mistaken. have never met him. /
came now to explain that to him.
OH
She dived suddenly us the gallery
door opened. Brand caught feeting
glimpse of her vanishing form.
"Who was that;
Pyne had found lis pap. III. :. Is; fill.
Ing 1t with tobacco.
Mrs. Eansittart," he answered.
Paying her long deferred visit, l
suppose. She chose curious hour"
$50 l thought But she just popped
her head In to tell you that she didn't
know you at all"
Brand smiled.
Poor lady!" he said. "She, like the
rest of us, is perturbed and uneasy. /
Imagine she Is of somewhat hyster-
tcal temperament"
"Thats So" agreed Pyne.
There were puzzling discrepancies In
Mrs. Vansittart's explanation of her
untimely appearance. Evidently she
did not expect to meet him there. She
thought she would find the lighthouse
keeper alone. The ready deduction
presented Itself that when she did en-
counter Brand she did not wish any
third person to bo present Mt the inter
view.
That Constances father had no cause
to look ut matters in the same light he
was quite certain. Anyhow, it was
not his affair, and he declined to trou-
bic his head about Mrs. Vansitturt's
vagarlcs.
So the young philosopher lit his pipe
and delivered dictum on the sex.
Some women" lie said, "are made
up of contradictions. She is one. L
have known her for some time. and l
thought nothing could fcaze her. But
there must be sort of society crust
over her emotions, and the wreck
broke 1t. Now. for my part, I like n
woman with clear soul, one in whose
eyes you can catch the CLINT of the
inner crystal"
They are rare" said Brand.
Il suppose SO. Indeed, 1t used to be
mere ideal Of mine. built up from
books. But they exist, and they are