Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-09-26

agree to pass our declining years to-
gether. She is very beautiful and
accomplished woman, but she makes
no secret Of her age, and the match
was suitable one in every respect"
you can see as far through stone
wall as most people"
Pyne knew that his uncles sharp
eyes were regarding him steadily, but
he continued to gaze into the street.
There was n moments hesitation be-
fore Mr.. Trail growled:
You young dog, you have seen 1t
too. Mrs. Vansittart avoids me. Some
thing has happened. She has changed
her mind. Do you think she has heard
about Edith?"
Edith! Oh, of course-Enid must be
christened afresh. No; that isn't 1t.
1t would not be fair to you to say that
l think you are mistaken; but, from
what l know Of the lady, feel sure
she will meet you fairly when the time
comes"
"Ah, you agree with me, them"
''In admitting doubt-in advising
the delay you have already suggested
yes"
"She told you had written2'
More than that. She asked me IL I
was aware Of its explanation"
"And You said2'
Exactly what said to you. You
are both sensible people. I can hardly
imagine that any misunderstanding
can exist after an hours talk"
Mr.. Trail looked Mt his watch. A
carriage stopped Mt the hotel
"Here's Stanhope and his mother"
cried Pyne. So his uncle hurried off
to receive his guests.
Lady Margaret was well preserved
woman of aristocratic pose, but her
serenity was disturbed. Although the
land was ringing with the fame Of her
sons exploit. and her mothers heart
was throbbing with pride, there had
been fearful hours Of vigil for her
Not without struggle had she aban-
doned her hope that he would make a
well endowed match.
When Constance and Enid arrived
she was very stately and dignifled,
scrutiniZing, with all mothers mere
dulity, the girl who had caused her to
capitulate.
But Enid scored n prompt success.
She swept aside the almost unconscious
reserve with which jacks mother
greeted her.
"You knew" she murmurcd wistful-
ly. 1--WE did not They would not tell
us. How you must have suffered until
the news came that he had escaped"
Lady Margaret drew the timid girl
nearer and kissed her.
my dear" she whispered, 81 am be-
ginning to understand why Jack loves
you. He is my only son, but you are
worthy of him."
Mrs. Vansittart's appearance created
a timely diversion. She had obtained
black lace dress. 1t accentuated the
settled pallor Of her face, but she was
perfectly self possessed and uttered n
nice womanly compliment to the two
girls, who wore white demitoilet cos
tunes.
you look delightful" she said.
"When all is said and done we women
should never despise our wardrobe
That marvellous lighthouse had one
grave defect in my eyes. 1t was
dreadfully callous to feminine require
ments."
| Here was q woman rejuvcnated, re,
stored to her natural surroundings
They accounted for the subtle change
in her by the fact that they had seen
her hitherto under unfavorable condi-
lions. Even Pyle, not wholly pleased
with her in the past, found Ills critical
judgment yielding when she apal1gi2ed
sweetly to Lady Margaret her
hardness. - al
'@There were two children rcm
the wreck. Poor little mites. Shep
reveled in hot bath! couid nol
leave them until they were asleep" 2;
II needed two hot baths" said Pyne
mo. ! dug me out of the shell, and No
2 helped me to recognize myself"
4 During dinner there was much to tell
and to hear. Mrs. Vansittart said lit
tie, save to interpose word now and
then when Constance or Enid would
have skinned too lightly the record
of their own services.
They did not hurry over the meal
All were In the best possible spirits
and the miseries of the Gulf Roch
might never have existed for this lively
company were it not that four among
them bore clear tokens Of the depriva
tons they had endured.
A waiter interrupted their joyous
chatter at Its highest. He bent over
Mr.. Trail and discreetly conveyed
some communication.
II am delighted" cried the million
aire heartily. .Show him in at once"
He rose from his chair to do honor
to an unexpected guest.
"You will all be pleased to hear" be
explained, ''that Mr.. Brand is ashore
and has come to see u.s."
Mrs. Vansittart stifled the cry on he1
lips. The slight color which had crept
into her pale cheeks yielded to death
ly hue. 1t CHANGED that the others
were looking expectantly toward the
door and did not notice her.
Brand entered. In acknowledging
Mr.. Trails cordial welcome he smil'
ingly explained his presence.
my superiors sent me emphatic or.
ders to clear out" he said, 80 l had
no option but to obey. l conveyed Mr.
Emmett to suitable quarters and has
tened home. but found that the girls
were playing truant. My housekeepel
insisted that should eat, else she
would not be satisfied that still lived
but came here as quickly as posi-
ble."
At that instant his glance, travelling
from one to another of those present
fell on Mrs. Vansittart
He stood us one petrified. The kind
ly words of his host, the outspoken
glee Of the girls ut his appearance
died away in his ears in hollow echoes
His eyes. frowning beneath wrinklcd
brOws. seemed to ask IL he were not
the victim of some unnerving halluci
nation. They were fixed ON Mrs. Van
sittart's face with an all absorbing In
tensity. and his set lips and clinched
hands showed how utterly irresistible
was the knowledge that indeed he was
| not deceived: that he WINS gazing Mt n