Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-01-23
CHAPTER XXI.

CdAPIER MI.
~ F late Sir John had felt sin
gular desire to sit down when
ever opportunity should offer,
but he had always been found
standing on the hearth rug by the
butler, and, hard old aristocrat that he
was, he would not yield to the some
what angular Establishments of the
sttn backed chair.
He stood for few moments with
his back to the smoldering FIRE, and,
being quite alone, he perhaps forgot
to st6en his neck, for his head
dropped, his lips were unsteady; he
was o very old man.
iAto the dining room. where butler and
tootman awaited him, he was erect,
inperturbable, impenetrable.
At dinner 1t was evident that his
Keen brain was hard at work. He for
got one or two, of the formalities which
were religiously observed at that soil
tary table. He FASTENED over his wine,
and then he went to the library. There
he wrote telegram, slowly, in his
FIRM, ornamental handwriting.
1t was addressed to Gordon, Lonngo,
and the gist of it was-"Wire where
abouts of Oscard-when he may be ex-
pected home"
At half past 8 Jack arrived. Sir John
was awaiting him in the library, grimly
sitting in his high backed chair, as
carefully dressed as for great recep-
ton.
He rose when his son entered the
room and they shook hands. There
was certain air of concentration
&hout both, as If they. each intended to
say more than they had ever said be-
fore. The coffee was duly brought.
This was revival Of an old custom.
In bygons days Jack had frequently
come tn thus and they had taken coffee
before going together in Sir Johns
carriage to one Of the great social func-
ions at which their presence was al-
most necessity. Jack had always
poured cut the cofree-tonight lie did
net offer to do 70.
Il came" he said suddenly, ITO give
you a piece OF news which 1 am afraid
VIZ, NO. pe very welcome. Miliieent
's1u : navs otcloeo 10 nuke our en-
ssgensht Known.
lou AS~, sald Sir Johh gfaVely,
1nat am not much given to altering
my opinions. do not say that they
ere Of any value; but, such us they are,
! usually hold to them. When you did
me the honor OF mentioning this mat
ssf 70 me last year, l gave you my
opinion"
and it has In no way altered?"
In no way. have found no reason
to alter It."
VIII vow, at all events, give me
your reasons1" he asked. II am not
. child"
y think" be said, .that 1t would be
% advisable mot to ask them.n "a
II should Ike to know why you OBJ
Jest to my marrying MlIlicent,'' persist.
cd jack.
'.smply because know bad Won.
an when zee herr retorted Sir John
aellbexatsly, .
* an sorry YOU have said that" said
TIE son.
"Juetn continued the father ..as
Hno~S good onen
Re nansed and they waro both think.
ing Of the Same woman, Jocelyn Cor
don.
Sir John had his say about afilltcent
Chyne, and his son knew that that WAS
Me last word. She was bad woman.
From that point he would never move.
There was long silence, while the
he fire. es5as.3
II am getting too old to indulge iii
the luxury Of pride" said the father ut
length. ~ will attend your marriage.
will smile and say pretty things TO
the bridesmaids BEFORE the world
will consent under the condition that
the ceremony does not take place be-
fore two months from this date"
Il agree to that" put In jack,
Sir John rose and stood on the hearth
rug, looking dbwn from his great height
upon his son.
But" he continued. "between MS
let It he understood that move in no
degree from my original position.
object to Aulliceut Chyne ms YOUR wife
But bow to the force Of circum-
stances. admit that YOU have a Der.
feet right to marry whom ysn choose.
In two months time,
So lack took his leave M
"In two months, limo" rannatnl CT,
Johu. when he Was aloi,c viii, ,na n,
Tbs twisted. cynical sml.es-.iu tyr,
Wonths, tiue-oui vjvr, y.ry,"
There are some nI.ces IN tha world
where a curse seems +, hra,d i, n,
atmosphere. Msala WAS one of the,c
perhans these n,acss ,ra ,ccnrsn1 IL,
she deeds that have been dan. ,I,ere
Who can tellY
Could tbe treas-tho two y;cont;,
elms that stood by tho rivers c,1oa-
could thoso I,,yo s,ol,nn 10, I'll,
perhaps have told the ,,ln of ti,is it'll,
i,,nnd station In t,o+ o,,,,,r,, ,,,hor,, os