Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-03-27
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An Irish IdyII
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81 don't seem to have an idea left
In my head!"
Molly O'Moore's head was pretty
one, however empty she might think
1t. Her speech was apparently made to
about half dozen cows grazing Sleep
lily in a field under a brilliantly blue
sky.
She was surprised, therefore, when
voice suddenly answered her-a
young voice withal.
"Can l be of any assistance?" 1t
said, and laugh was followed by the
appearance of tall, well-bullt man of
thirty or thereabouts.
Miss O'Moore surveyed him some
what disparagingly-no on account of
his aspect, which was beyond reproach
but because she judged his offer of
assistance somewhat superhuous.
II am afraid mott she said Mt
length. He had stood her scrutiny
without flinching; you see it's for a
competition! !"
He bowed but his smile still lin.
gered. He did not think 1t necessary
or prudent to inform her that he did
not see!
So he waited for further explana.
tons, admiring meanwhile the dainty
pose of the girls dark head, the flash
of her bright buckeyes. The slim, girl
ish figure wore d much washed muslin
with much ;inimitable grace.
SIT is SO stupid" she said, appar-
emily sufficiently satisfied with her ex-
animation to make confidant of him.
"There is u competition in this paper"
waving the Dublin Duchess with de-
fiant hands-'but it is for engaged
girls' Fifty pounds is lot of money,
isn't lt?''
He saw she was serious, and altered
his mood accordingly.
at Isl he answered, feeling somehow
glad tha.. she could not possibly know
that his income per week amounted tc
more than double that sum! Zone
could do lot with fifty pounds, OF
counsel"
II was thinking 1t would buy dad Q
book or two he has wanted for years
and coat-his Is so old-and we
might be able to afford meat more
than twice a week for some time tc
come Meat is necessary for man
think, don't you-a man who Is nj.
ways working his brain? But there
her face falling and the flush of ex.
element dying down-"what is the
use of thinking about it at all, at all
when I'm not eligible, nor ever likely
to be-"
A deep sigh escaped her, and hel
lips quivered. 1t certainly was hard
The young man caught also the sus
picion of a break In her voice.
Don't despair" he said; ~ think
can help you--that Is to say, If yor
like-if you wouldn't mind, l mean.
He paused; the subject was delicate
one, and lie was afraid of handling II
too roughly.
you have an idea?' the girl asked
quietly. ''What is it?'
you promise not to be annoyed?"
"Annoyed?" Molly's voice was mis-
chievous. "Why should bey"
VERY we'll, then; it is this: VIII
you be engaged to me for as long or as
short time as you like, SO that you
may be eligible as a competitor in this
Dublin Duchess competition?"
At first the girl looked lncredulous
then a ripple of laughter broke from
her.
What funny ideal" she said. 81
don't even know your name!"
..That is easily remedied," he re.
tvrned, producing card, and handing
1t to her.
Molly read it obviously.
"Sir Robert Dugdale."
"You aren't already married, l SUD.
pose?" she asked.
He laughed, and she did not notice
his embarrassment.
NO" he said; II am not married
and If you like to say the word, and
tell me your name, too, we will be en-
gagged for the next month, If it pleases
you. and you. can go in for your com.
petition and win the fifty pounds!"
IF only could" she said. Then sht
looked at him little comlcalIy.
My name is quite common one
Mary O'NIoore," she said, "and am
usually called Molly"
Bob Dugdale thought it the sweetest
name he had heard. After all, there
is something in a name"
Common" he echoed; "oh, no, l
don't think so. We had better begin
our roles at once hadn't we? You
must have experience, of course, and
will teach you!"
He proved SO apt mn exponent that
Molly O'Moore went to bed that night
and dreamt that her prince was come,
and nothing else in the whole wide
world mattered.
And all through the exquisite sum