The Meeker herald., 1907-12-21


sort of composite likeness. There was
the Osborn nose. but the prominent
hump of that feature was modified. In
her case, to an aristocratic little
curve. and the straight, red mouth
would have been the Alger mouth but
for the dimples at the corners.
Al Mandy grew up the same antag-
onistic spirit grew with her parents.
She was very pretty, and her childish
ways chung to her. At 10 she was
slight and undeveloped. with her soft
blue eyes wide open and innocent as
baby's under their curling brown
lashes. her cheeks round and pink.
Frank Day and Mandy had been
like brother and sister since Frank
had appeared at the Jersey farm
house. poor. forlorn orphan boy from
the city. and asked for work.
Nathan Alger gave him q chance on
the farm, and he proved such quiet.
trusty. active worker that he kept
him, allowing him to go to the village
school with Mandy during the winter
and treating him as one of his house
hold. He was only two years older
than Mandy, and he said pa and ma
just as she did, and considered him
self lucky that he escaped parental
disputation.
Bout time Mandy was thinkin' Of
gettin' married. amt itf" said Nathan,
one evening.
Married! That childH replied the
wife. Are you in such q great hurry
to get rid Of herr"
rid Of her? Lor' no. Ill keep
her right here all her life"
AN let her be lonely. spiteful old
maid! Nice future for q pretty young
grill"
Nathan smiled covertly.
MANDY is pretty" he said. AN
I guess others see 1t, mother. C'rell
Newman can't keep his eyes on her at
meetin'."
"C'rell Newman!" repeated Mrs. Al
ger contemptuously. HE needn't
make eyes at my daughter"
What's the matter with him?"
II don't like his family"
They're pch," said Nathan. who
was inclined to place high estimate
upon an extensive tract of fertile
land.
Hin. I don't like the Newmans.
an C'rell's Wild"
Mrs. Phebe had her plans for Mandy.
but It was useless to breach them
then. She had not been visiting the
Manasquan store for nothing, when
she could buy goods cheaper In Az
bury Park. She knew why she A.
ways took Mandy with her. and why
a deep delight possessed her soul
when the proprietor's son, pale.
slender. light-haired young man, who
sat at the desk, peered out between
the wires that surrounded him and
forgot to attend to his accounts until
after mother and daughter had left the
store.
Arthur Gleason was dignifed and in.
tellectual. and his natty attire and
debonair air had made deep impress
sion upon Manasquan bellies.
Corell was really very fond of the
slender. golden-haired girl. and the
Newmans had always been known to
be very sot In their ways"
Young Gleason from New York was
a captive to 'Mandy's fresh charms
also, and despite his languid effemin-
acy, he was not without will Of his
own. He had been spoiled child at
home and used to having his way in
all matters. Now he was determined
that no Jersey farmer should triumph
over him.
Frank came out of the barn one day.
He saw q blue skirt whisking into
the summer kitchen, which was used
only for storage purposes then. Walk
ing up to the little square window, he
-peered in. To his surprise he saw
Mandy sitting In the little rush-bot-
toned chair near the table. with her
face buried in her apron. In An In
slant he was beside her.
Whats the matter, sis?" he asked.
gently.
Mandy raised her tear-stained face
"Oh, Frank. I'm 80 wretched," she
said.
PA and ma at it again?"
Its nothing new" replied the girl
hopelessly. you see what they're
trying to do. They think haven't
got any feelings"
Which one do you like best? ?" asked
Frank, as he had done once before.
II don't know. don't know!"
walled Mandy. They're both NICE
and they both want to marry me; but
II marry one, pa II disown me, and
II marry the other. ma II never
speak to me again. Oh, wish was
dead!"
She covered her face with her apron
again.
There. sis. don't worry" said
Frank. stroking her ripping hair and
trying to comfort her, just as he used
to do in the old school days. II wish
could help you. Come. let's talk 1t
over"
The next day, during 'Mandy's TEN.