Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-04-10
CHAPTER XY.

dazZled young man could have
spoken at all he could have
= found nothing to say; and, per-
haps, the lady would not trust her own
voice just then. His eyes had fallen
too panic stricken now to look at her,
though il he had been quite sure that
she was part Of a wonderful dream he
might have dared. She was seated be-
side him, and had handed him her par
asol in little way which seemed to
Imply that of course he had reached fei
1t, SO that 1t was to be seen how used
she was to have all tiny things done
for her. though this was not then Of his
trenlu;ous observing. He did perceive,
however, that he was to furl the dainty
thing. He pressed the catch and let
down the top timidly, as If fearing to
break or tear it, and as it closed, held
near his face, he caught very fain:
eWeet, spicy emanation from it like
fHtld roses and cinnamon.
He did not know her, but his tmil-
ity and strange little choke in his
throat, the sudden fright which had
seized him, were not caused by en-
barrassment. He had no thought that
she was one he had known, but could
not for the moment recall There was
nothing of the awkwardness Of that.
No; he was overpowered by the mira
Gle of this meeting. And yet, white
with marveling, he felt it to be SO
much more touchingly greater happi-
ness than he had ever known that ut
first 1t was ineXpressibly sad.
At last he heard her voice again,
shaking little, as she said:
II am glad you remembered"
Remembered what?" he faltered.
'Then you don't?" she cried. "And
yet you came"
Game here, do you mean?'
"Yes-now, at noon."
"Ah" he half whispered, unable to
speak aloud. "Was it you who
said-who said: 'Remember! Across
across -
"'Across Main street bridge at
noon!'" she finished for him gently.
Eyes"
He took deep breath in the wonder
of it. "Where was it you said that."
he asked slowly. "Was it last night 2"
Don't you even know that you came
to meet meY
I-came toto meet-youw
She gave little plying cry, very
near sob, seeing his utter bewilder-
ment.
ut was like the strangest dream in
the world" she said. "You were at
the station when l came last night
You don't remember Mt all?'
His eyes downcast, his face burning
hotly, he could only shake his head.
"Yes," she continued ~ thought no
one would be there, for I had not
written to say what train I should
take, but when stepped down from
the platform you We're standing there,
though you didn't see me at frst-not
until had called your name and ran
to you. You said, I've come to meet
you,' but you said it queerly, thought.
And then you called a carriage for me.
But you seemed SO strange You
couldn't tell how you knew that was
coming. and-and then IL understood
you weren't yourself. You were very
quiet, but knew-I knew! So l made
you get into the carriage-and-andn
She faltered to a stop, and with that
shame itself brought him courage. He
turned and faced her. She had lifted
her handkerchief to her eyes, but at
his movement she dropped it, and it
was not so much the delicate lowell
ness of her face that lie saw then as
the tears upon her cheeks.
"Ah, poor boy" she cried 81 knew!
kneww
"You-you took me homer"
''You told me where you lived" she
answered. Eyes, took you home"
81 don't understand" he stammered
husklly. 81 don't understand"
She leaned toward him slightly, look
ing at him with great intentness.
you didn't know me last night"
she said. "Do you know me now?"
For answer he could only stare at
her, dumfounded. He lifted an I'M
steady hand toward her appealingly,
but the manner of the lady as she saw
the truth underwent an April change