Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-02-13
Jack looked up sharply, us If he
either had not heard or did not under

either had not heard or did not under
stand.
"While the right person is waiting
for It," repeated Sir John deliberately.
'The right person.
"Jocelyn Gordon" explained Sir John,
ais the right person.
Jack shrugged his shoulders and
leaned back so that the freight did not
shine upon his face. so found out
eighteen months ago." he said, when
1t was too late"
There is no such thing as too late
for that" said Sir John In his great
wisdom. Even If you We're both quite
old it would not be too late. have
known it longer than you. l found it
out two years ago."
Jack looked across the room into the
keen, worldly wise old face.
"How9" he inquired.
From her. I found it out the mo-
ment she mentioned your name. l con-
Quoted the conversation in such man.
ner that she had frequently to say it,
and whenever your name crossed her
lips she gave herself away"
Jack shook his head with an incredu.
lous smile.
Moreover" continued Sir John, 81
maintain it is not too late"
There followed silence. Both men
seemed to be wrapped in thought, the
same thoughts with difference of
forty years Of life in the method of
thinking them.
II could not so to her with a lame
story like that" said Jack. II told her
all about Millicent."
ut is just lame story like that that
women understand" answered Sir
John. when was younger thought
us you do. l thought that man must
needs bring clean slate to the woman
he asks to be his wife. 1t is only his
hands that must be clean. Women see
deeper into these mistakes of ours than
we do. They pc the good Of them
where we only see the wound to our
vanity. Sometimes one would almost
be Inclined to think that they prefer a
few mistakes In the past because 1t
makes the present surer. Their 70.
nance Is different thing from ours. 1t
is better thing, deeper and less selfish.
They can wipe the slate clean and
never look at 1t again. And the best of
them rather like the task"
Jack made no reply. Sir John Mere.
dith's chin was resting on his vast
necktie. He was looking with falling
| eyes into The fire. He spoke like one
who was sure of himself-confident in
his slowly accumulated store of that
knowledge which is not written in
books.
"Will you oblige me?" he asked.
Jack moved in his chair, but he made
no answer. Sir John did not indeed
expect 1t. He knew his son too well.
will YOU" he continued, "go out
to Africa and take your lame story to
Jocelyn-just US 1t isY'
| There was a long silence. The old
wOrnout clock on the inantelpiece
wheezed and struck G.
YES" answered Jack at length, II
will CO."
Sir John nodded his head with a
sigh of relief. All, indeed, comes to
| LIN WIZ w dllS
II have seen good deal of life" he
said suddenly, arousing himself and
sitting upright in the stiff backed
chair, there and there in the world,
and have found that the happiest
people are those who began by think.
ing that it was too late. The romance
of youth is only fit to write about in
books. 1t is too delicate a fabric for
everyday use 1t soon wears out or
| gets torn"
Jack did not seem to be listening.
But" continued Sir John, "you
must not waste time. If l may sug.
gest it, you will do well to go at
once"
4 Yes" answered jack. Il will go
in month Or so. ! should like to
see you in better state of health
before leave you"
Sir John pulled himself together
He threw back his shoulders and
stiffened his neck.
"My health is excellent" he replied
sturdily. .Of course / am beginnin.
to feel my years little, but one must
expect to do that after h-er-sixty
C'est In vie."
He made little movement Of thu
hands.
No." lie went on. "the sooner you &
the better"
II do not like leaving YOU" per
sisted Jack.
Sir John laughed rather testify.
THAT is rather absurd" he said q
am accustomed to being left. hay,
always lived alone. You will do me ;
favor if you will go now and talk,
your passage out to Africa"
"Now-this EVENING":
Eyes. At once The offices clos,
about half past 6, believe. You will
just have time to do it before dinner"
Jack rose and went toward the door
He went slowly, almost reluctantly.
"Do not trouble about me-" said ST
John. 81 am accustomed to being left
He repeated it when the door hal
closed behind his son.
| The fire was low again. 1t was al
most dying. The daylight was fadin,
every moment. The cnders fell to
gether with crumblng sound, and i;
grayness crept into their CLOWN,
depths. The old man sitting there mad,
no attempt to add fresh fuel.
II am accustomed" he said with :
half cynical smile, ito being left"
[coNTINrrET.1