Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-10-03

feeling in the air. MIS-. NanSlttart rec
ognized Brand and made her calcula
lions accordingly. Let us give her the
credit due to her. AS soon rs she dis
covered him, the marriage project was
Off"
II had that kind of impression my
self. Glad mentioned it to you now"
"Of course you are. I'll bet any rea-
sonablc man that Mrs. Vansittart in
tended to leave PcnZance tomorrow MS
soon as she had made you understand
that she could not, under any circum-
stances, become my aunt"
A ghost of smile fitted across Mr..
Trails face. His nephew's way Of
putting things was delightfully."- I'M
equlvocal.
"What We are apt to lose sight Of"
continued Pync, ais the manner In
which Brand received what must have
been a staggering blow. He met his
wife tonight after a separation Of more
than twenty years. And how he took
1t! When he spoke 1t was really in her
behalf. The thing is too amazing. OF
course, now that the thunder and light
ming have started, the sky will clear all
the sooner"
"Unhappily, such affairs do not ar
range themselves so readily" snapped
Lady Margaret. She was becoming
more angry with each wave Of reflec-
ton. young men like you do not real
ize the effect of such-such unpleasant
exposures of family life. How will
the early history Of her parents affect
the future of Constance Brand? AS
for the other grip
Her ladyship threw up her hands in
helpless abandonment. To her mind
the adoption Of poor Enid, the sen
waif, assumed darker appearance
now that Brands matrimonial adven-
lures revealed sinister features.
Jack Stanhope caught her by the
shoulder
Mother" he cried, before you say
another word let me tell you something
you ought to know. Enid Is Mr..
Trails Gaughter!"
Now, this good woman loved her son
dearly. All her thoughts were of him
and for him. Her look of blank incre-
dulity yielded to the confirmation she
saw writ on all three faces.
She burst into tears.
apparently l am the last person to
be taken into anybody's confidence
she sobbed.
4 Madam" said Mr.. Trail, bending
over her, sin this instance at least
you have no cause to feel aggrieved
Neither the girl herself, nor her sistel
by adoption, nor Mrs. Vansittart, t.
whom, until the past half hour, l con
sidered myself to be engaged, is aware
of the undoubtcd fact which your sor
has just told you. Let me say that
as her father, am proud to think she
has won the affections of such man
as Stanhope. There is no reason why
you, his mother, should not be equally
satisfied with the pedigree and pros
poets of my daughter"
His calm assumption of a rank elua
IL not superior to her own was con
vincing to roman of her tempera
ment. Assuredly that evening was {
memorable one to her ladyship. Tht
repose of We're de We're was rudely
shocked for once. Nevertheless til,
knowledge that her lifelong ambition
dreamed of by any of those most con
cerned was in itself consoling. MI
Trail, quite unconsciously, loome'
large in the social eye Of Penzance
and the widowed lady had not been s
long withdrawn from the wealth wo1
Shipping world of London as to b
wholly unleavened with the worship o
the golden calf
So 1t was with quickened interes
that she set herself to listen to tn
story of Enid's parentage, and, If he
fear of local gossip mongers shrank a
her perception of Ends real social pc
. sition increased, much may be forgive
to the mothcrly sentiment that no wifi
can be too good for an excellent son.
Meanwhile Brand and the sorro,
laden girls, ushered by obsequiou
servants to the entrance hall were col
strained to comfort themselves wit
true British phlcgm in view of the IL
, terest caused by their appearance.
/, The hour was not late, about 9:3'
Even while the hall porter was sun
| moning cab the news spread, With
and without. that the lighthouse kcepc
and his daughters. whose exploits file
the minds of all men, were standin
near the door,
!; Several people, complete stranger
J, came to them and offered war;
congratulations. A smart journals
:, pressed forward and wove his ow
complimentary uttcrances into an Ii
j, terview. A crowd gathered quickly O
, the pavement. Policemen, those ma
, shals Of every English demonstration
cleared path for them through til
throng. So. with smiling words o
! their lips and anguish in their heart
. they made Il triumphal exit. How Ii
;. tie could the friendly enthusiasts VIII
! cheered them realize that these thre
had been atrophied by the deadl
malevolence of fate in the very hot
when great achievement had ende
. happily.
, Enid suffered almost as keenly q
;. Brand and his daughter. Their Joy
and SORROWS were hers. The startlin
;. nature of Brands avowal rendered
difficult for either Enid or ConstanC
, to piece together certain fragmentar
!, memories Of Mrs. Nansittart's odd b.
= havlor during her enforced sojourn Q
, the rock. So thoroughly had she sha
tered those dimly outlined impre
= sions by the quietly vivacious char
;. of her manner at dinner that they bot
/, experienced u tumble Of sensations.
;. terrified woman. In wet and torn clotl
ing, covering In the gaunt Interior {
y storm glrt lighthouse, Is n very di
/, fcrcnt being when attired in expensiy
), garments and surrounded by the lu!
uries Of first class hotel.
, 1t was relief to drive to their co
tage In silence, yet, so easily moulde
). is our human clay, it was create
relief when the tension Of the nos
:, rattle of the cab was relaxed 1t CO.
!. some effort to assure Mrs. Sheppard,
buXom. motlicriy soul of sixty or Their
abOutS, that they could not possibly e;