Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-01-02

all food?s
'I.oathe it" he replied. He was still
looking Mt her, as IL in enjoyment Of
the Englishness and freshness of which
he had spoken. simply loathe it. All
josephs tact and patieace are required
TO make me eat even eleven meals in
the day. He would like thirteen.
AT this moment Maurice came in
Maurice-hea1ty. eager. full of life.
He Mustered ill., kicking the furniture
throwing his own vitality into the at
mosphere. Jocelyn knew that he liked
Jack Meredith, and she knew more.
She knew, namely, that Maurice Cor
don was different man when Jack
Meredith was in Loango. From Mere
dith's presence he seemed to gather
sense, of security and comfort even
as she did--a sense which in herself
she understood for women analyZe
love-. but which in her brother puzzled
her
well, old chap" said Maurice, "glad
to see you. am glad to see you.
Thank heaven you We're bowled over
by that confounded malaria, for other
wise we should have missed YOU"
"That is one way of looking at it,"
answered Meredith. But lie did not
go so far as to say that it was n way
which had not previously suggested
itself TO him.
"Of course it is. The best way,
take it. Well, how do you feelT'
"Oh, much better, thanks. l have
got OH splcndidly the last week, and
better still the last five minutes! The
worst of it is that l shall be getting
well too soon and shall have to be
off,"
Homer" inquired Maurice signiti
cantly.
Jocelyn moved uneasily.
Eyes, home"
I'VE don't often hear people say that
they are sorry to leave Loango," said
Maurice.
Il will oblge you whenever you are
taken with the desire" answered Jack
lightly. "Loango has been very good
friend to me. But l am afraid there
is no choice. The doctor speaks very
plain words about it. Besides. ! am
bound to go home"
ITO sell the simiacine" inquired
Maurice.
Yes"
Have you the second crop with
you:"
YES"
"And the trees have improved under
cultivation:'
YES" answered Jack rather wonder
ingly. You seem to know lot about
it."
"Of course do" replied Maurice
boisterously.
"From Durnovo?"
Yes; he even offered to take me
| into partnership"
Jack turned on him in Il flash.
Ibid he indeed? On what condi-
tions?'
And then, when it was too late,
Maurice saw his mistake. 1t was not
| the first time that the eyuberance of
his nature had got him into diff
Guilty.
"oh. don't know lie replied
vaguely. Its IL Ion. story III tell
you about IT some day"
Jack would have left it there for
the moment Maurice Gordon had
made his meaning quite clear by glanc.
ing significantly toward his sister. Her
presence lie intimated debarrcd further
explanation.
But Jocelyn would not have it thus.
She slrewdiy suspected the nature of
the bargain proposed by Durnovo. end
n sudden desire possessed ler to have
it all out.
''If you mean," she said, that yor
cannot tell Mr.. Meredith because l ar
here, you need not hesitate on that ac
count"
Maurice laughed awkwardly and
business. He was not good at this sort
of thing. Besides, there was the initial
handicapping knowledge that Jocelyn
was so much cleverer than himself.
whether it is a matter Of business
or not" she cried, with glittering eyes,
81 want you to tell Mr.. Meredith now.
de has right to know. Tell him
upon what condition Mr.. Durnovo pro
posed to admit you into the simiacine.'
Maurice still hesitated, bewildered, al
IL loss, such as men are when a seem
ngly secure secret is suddenly discov'
e. ed to the world. He would still have
tried TO fend it off. but Jack Meredith
with his keencr perception saw that