Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-14

!, the doctors express orders kept him
from getting up ten days ago. He has
i been all the morning dressing for it,
and now you tell me in that supercil-
ious tone that nothing happened"
\ Ann fired into anger. "What could
happen? You needn't speak in riddles,
Z, Jeanette. What do you think should
have happened? Come, now, you silly,
/, romantic thing"
Some note in her voice touched Mrs.
Barnett, and she slowly replied: cam
Rupert, you are the coolest, cruelest
creature l ever knew. know what
you did to that poor fellow. You un-
mercifully snubbed him; you froze his
gratitude on his lips. OF course you are
infinitely his superior"-she became
weakly sarcastic at this point-"but
you are not justified in stabbing sick
man to the heart"
You're quite mistaken. 1 was very
nice to him."
Nice! i've seen you nice to young
men before Oh, I'd like to see some
man crush you! I'd enjoy seeing you
crawl"
Mrs. Barnett went Immediately to
Raymonds door and knocked. At his
word she entered. He sat where Ann
had left him, but Louis was beside
him, showing him new drawing.
isn't that wonderful said Ray
mond, holding the sketch in the air, his
eyes aglow with pride in the boy. 'If
could do that would never be lone
some or restless. l wish knew my
use in the world as certainly as Louis
does'
The young artist flushed with the
pleasure. Its just as wonderful to
ride the way you do and throw rope
and all that. I'll teach you to draw If
you want me to-"
Raymond turned to Mrs. Barnett
with look in which amusement and q
certain sorrow met. "I'm long past
such instruction, lad. l haven't sense
enough to keep out of mischief. You
draw, and I'll do the posing. I'm a
good poser. Don't you think SO, Mrs.
Barnett?"
II don't know what you mean," said
she, feeling vaguely his pain and dis
couragement-his establishment.
II posed as a farmer and deceived
good Don Barnett. l made up for a
cowboy and fooled Baker and the rest
of the squad. And now I'm posing as
an invalid when ought to be out on
the ranch again. It's time l rode
away to a new range"
Mrs. Barnett was alarmed at the
undertone of bitterness in his words
"You must not think Of even walking
downstairs for Il week."
But can't sit here and sink deeper
and deeper into obligation to you" he
answered. "What rights have in
this room? I'm only a poor, wander
ing ne'er-do-well, and Your beautiful
home makes me ashamed-more thar
ashamed-it fills me with a sense OF
guilt l can walk now, and ought
not to stay another day"
Mrs. Barnett knew very well thai
his mood was due to AIMS icy dis
dain, and she realized too, how diff
cult the task of diverting his mind
from this foolish purpose would be
She said gently: You were injured ii
our service, Robert, and it is our duty
to look after you. You must not utter
another word Of this sort of talk tC
me or 1 will call Don, and then yor
will hear a voice that will make you
quake. l tell you frankly will not
listen to your walking out of this room
for a week."
Louis, who had been sitting in some
wonder, trying to catch the undercur.
rent of this talk, put his hand OH Ray
monds knee ana said: when you 60
l go too. Remember that"
1t was interesting to Jeanette to
observe that evening dress changed
AIMS estimate of Raymond's charac-
ter. The girl had to admit that he
looked surprisingly we'll as he came
slowly into the library just before the
little Chinese chime sounded for din
ner Every trace of the cowboy, the
man of sun smit, wind swept plain
was gone. He was pale, languid, but
with easy grace.
His manner toward Ann was that Of
a polite acquaintance merely, and hel
fear Of something-she hardly knew
what-instantly vanished. His bearing
during dinner and throughout the even
ing made her forget the kind Of person
he had hitherto seemed to her, and sht
began to study him in his true charac
ter. He dropped all his ranch life
phrases and, putting aside his reserve
talked with entire intellectual freedom
showing a knowledge of books and Of
communities remarkable in any man
Once or twice as she encountered his
glance mysterious movement raj
about her heart and her breath quick
ened.
AS they rose from dinner and while
he stood to allow ial
you are very benut! II
tain air has done wont!crs ~
You are ve.y coi,i..e0..i.' sac re
sponded, and her eye; fe. e,:,ls .crut
ingly, and SHE walked away With q
sense of having revealed Il weakness.
He came into the drawing room hall
an hour later to say good night to his
hostess, looking very tired and pale
and when lie took AIMS hand his eyes
We're burning with deep inner passion
Good night" he said, land forgive me
for any impertinence." She scarcely
had time to reply, to ask Ills meaning
for Mrs. Barnett ordered him instantly
to bed
No voice responded to Louis knock
ut Raymond's door next morning and
hurrying to Barnett's room, Louis
called excitedly, Cousin Don, have yov
seen Rob!"
Barnett, splashing in his tub, shout
ed: No. Can't you find him?"
HE isn't in his ROOM"
Hes gone down to breakfast, then
Hurry along and keep him company
Don't let him go out"
Louis rushed into the breakfast roon,
but found it empty. rhe maid said
Are you looking for Mr.. Raymond:
He came down very early and said lie
was going out for walk
The boy hurried outdoors, filled with
dismay. "He shouldn't bye out alone.
He might get dizzy and fall" He ran