Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-09-19

Some intensely exciting knowledge had
mastered stoicism. His eyes were dis
tended, his lips quivering. He leaned
with one hand on the kitchen table. In
the other he had clinched his uncle's
letter.
Constance stood near to him. That
he, of all the men she had ever met,
should yield to an ovcrpowering emo
ton startled her greatly.
She caught his arm.
Mr.. Pyne," she said softly, "if-it is
any i'll tidings-you have received-wc
are indeed sorry for you"
Hc pulled himself straight and gave
Constance snch glance that she has
tily withdrew her hand 1t seemed to
her that lie would clasp her in his arms
forthwith without spoken word. Her
action served to steady him, and he
laughed. so softly and pleasantly that
their fear was banished.
Girls" he said slowly, II have been
parachutins through space for min
ute or SO. Pm all right Everybody is
all right. But my head swims bit. II
come back forgetting my name and
the place where last resided, rcmem-
Der that once loved you"
He left them. He could not trust
himself to say more.
THAT letter was from his uncle, l
suppose. said Enid, awe stricken.
ut must be something very dra-
matte which would make him act SO
strangely. Why has lie run away?
hn nfp Il 10 m.
| newsY'
There was sharp vehemence in
Constances voice which did not escape
her sisters sharp ears.
Connie" said Enid quietly, las sure
as Jack loves me, that man is in love
with you"
| "Enid"-
But the other girl laughed with n
touch Of her saucy humor.
why did he look at you in that way
just now? Didn't you think he was go
ing to embrace you on the spot? Con-
fess!"
ut was at you he was looking"
Not in the way I mean. He gazel
at me as if were spirit. But when
you touched him he awoke. He might
have been asleep and suddenly seen
you near him. l wonder he didn't say,
Kiss me, dearest, and then will be
sure it is not u Dream"
Constance discovered that she must
defend herself.
MIR. Pyne hardly conveyed such I'M
utterable things TO me-" she said, con-
scious that clean face betrays flush
which smudges may hide Have you
had a letter from Jack that you Gun
interpret other peoples thoughts SO
sweetly?"
mo, dear. Jack has not written. l
expresses the hope that he will be the
first to convey her good wishes. So
think he meant to try to bring the
rope himself. Dad knew 1t and Mr..
Pyne. That Is why they did not tell
u.s."
Constance gathered her letters into a
heap. The tiny pang of jealousy which
thrilled her had gone
"Eighty-one hungry mouths expect to
be filled to repletion tonight" she said.
mo more gossip. What curious crea-
lures women are! Our own affairs are
sufficiently engrossing without endeav-
orng to pry into Mr. Pyne's."
Connie. don't press your lips SO
tightly. You are just dying to know
what upset him. But. mark my words.
it had nothing to do with any other
woman"
Wherein Enid was completely mis-
| t.lE kan. chn
greater error OF Judgment during the
rest of her days.
When pyne quilted the, kitchen his
intent was to reach BrauLiwitll0ut de-
lay. AS he passed Mrs. Nnnsit arts
bedroom he paused. S snctEing had
delighted him UNNECESSARILY once the
first shock of the intelligence had
passed.
He seemed to be irresolute in his.
mind, for he waited l:;ome time on the
landing before he kls1ckcd at the door
and asked II Mrs. N;,llsittart would
come and speak toillim.
Are you alonc?" she demanded, re-
manning invisible.
| YES" he said
Then she appeared, with that bor-
rowed shawl still closely wrapped over
head and face.
what is tit" she said.wcarily.
You have had letter from my
uncle!
''Yes, charming letter, but'1 cunnot
understand it. He says that ;'omc very
important and amazing event, will de-
tain him in Penzance after we reach
the place. lie goes on-but will read
it to you. l am qulteibcwildercd."
She took II letter f1p1n her pocket and
searched through its,contents until she
found paragraph. She wastabOut to
read 1t aloud when some one came
down the stairs. It,was one OF the Of
ficcrs, yet Mrs. Vnnssttart WINS so fur
rled that she dropped the shcetNof pa
per and bent to pickett up,bcforelPync
could intervene.
"Oh, botlcr!" she cried. ~ am dread
fully nervous, even now that we,are In
no further peril This is what 1 wish
you to hear"
And she read:
! Nothing but the most amazing andNun-
| iooheu loi ClIcuitiSkauCC~S "OulU CuuSeyH e
to ask You to postpone the date Of our
marriage for at least q month after you
reach shore. This is mot the time nor Nare
| your present surroundings the place for
telling you why l make this request.
Suffice it to say that l thtik-indeed.
am sure-n great happiness has come into
my life. happiness which you. as my
wife soon to be. will share.
The American, while Mrs.t Vanslttart
was intent on her cxcerptsl from Ills
uncle's letter, studied all TINT was visi-
bic of her face. That whiclit he saw
there puzzled him. She had suffered
! no more than others, SO he Yyondered