Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-26
I've ever seen"
Mr.. Corrigan seemed puzzled.

| bronze!' he murmured thoughtful
~. Now, that's strange. was I'm.
der the impression that it was done In
marble" He looked up with a smile
and sigh. II dare say I'm getting
old, my lord"
Richard began to feel heads of cold
Precipitation gathering upon his brow.
but dared not call attention thereto by
inopping
1T is quite weather stained, You
Know" he explained with outward
CAIN, "and perhaps-wcll. You see, the
sculptor's name is Thornton. I've new
err heard that he worked in marble,
though l may be wrong"
But what don't understand" cx-
claimed Mr.. Renwyck lis why you
Englishmen ever put up statue of
Napoleon at all. Seems to me that
hating him as you did it was rather a
curious thing to do"
mot at ALL" said Richard desperate
~; prisoner, y'know-St. Helena
and all that sort of thing-er-mag-
nanimeus.'
Uncle Michael did not seem convinc-
ed and was about to ask more cues
tons when Mr.. Renwyck turned upon
him sharply.
michael, you are doing this for the
sake of argument. don't believe YOU
know anything about it, and, what is
more, think Lord Croyland is hu-
moring you for the sake OF politeness.
I'll prove it." He turned to Richard.
My boy, ought to have warned you
in advance. My brother-in-law is
crotchety old lawyer who has never
got over his bad habits. Tell me-hon-
estly now-is there Il statue of Napo.
leon Bonaparte in Hyde park at all?"
NO" smiled Richard, greatly reliev-
ed at this turn, there is not"
"Who is it, them"
Wellington" said Richard. with tri-
umphant careessness, although he real.
~ did not know whether there was
such statue or not. But then neither
did any one else at the table, although
all but Miss Chittendon had visited
England, some Of them many times.
The company laughed ut Mr.. Corri-
CAMS discontinue. while the victim
himself seemed to enjoy it with the
keenest zcst. That dangerous incident
was closed.
The dinner was finished at last. and
Mr.. Corrigan, pleading an appoint
ment. departed, greatly to Richards re-
lief. The rest of the evening was
spent in company with the ladies', for
the young mans efforts to single out
one in particular were invariably frus-
trated by the other three. 1t was not
until nearly II that he had short half
hour with her alone, but in this he was
repaid for all his fluctuations. Miss
Harriet was dressed in an exquisite
pale blue gown, modestly revealing
neck and shoulders which to Richard
were the most beautiful in all the
world. They sat on the front veranda
overlooking the river, she in low
wicker chair and he on the steps at
her feet. Behind him were clusters of
wistaria blooms, while beyond in the
darkness the first of the fireflies twin.
kled like stars To them came the
nighttime scents and the murmur of
the wind across the mighty Hudson
on its journey to the sea.
Miss Harriet told him of her trip to
Texas and of the gallant cowboy who
had saved her life. while Richard lis
tened with bounding heart. He longed
to claim hero's place, to confess his
deception and tell her the plain, bare
truth. And yet he paused. To confess
would involve disclosing the reason of
his deceit. and he dare not risk the
Glance of losing her yet. She was
young, romantic. The very daring of a
lovers bold design might appeal to her.
but. on the other hand, it was better
to wait till he had won her heart than
to ruin all by foolish precipitance.
"And what sort of chap was this
cowboy?' he asked her presently.
ooh, Splendid" she answered, with |
enthusiasm. "I1e was tall and straight |
and strong. Why, he lifted me as
though had been child and set me
down as tenderly as my own mother
might have done. 1t all came SO sud. |
denly and was so bewildered that |
scarcely even thanked him. know he |
thinks me perfectly horrid, and |
would give anything Oh earth if III
could only tell him that I'm-that I'm
not
And you saw all that in five min
utes?" he asked eagerly.
I'm five minutesr she exclaimed,
surprised. "How do you know how
long it was?"
"Oh-er-a perfectly natural infer.
ence." he stammered. hunting for GOV.
er desperately.
well. it was short time" she
sighed.
"And yet you did not learn his
name?"
Miss Harriet shook her head
mo. We came away at once, and !
had no chance. You see, only saw
him for a moment-that is, after he
put me down-and-and he was in
such hurry to catch his cows"
Richard smiled into the wistaria vine
and was silent for time.
81 suppose" he began presently.
that the young fellow was of the or.
binary type of cowboy we see SO fire..
quently on Al
NO." interrupted Miss Harriet, with
q decisiveness that pleased him to the
quick; "he was nothing of the sort
or course he was roughly dressed, as
they all are, but Il gentleman is a gen
tleman even in a flannel shirt. and
chaps don't they call them? Do YOU
Know. Lord Croyand, lie reminds me
In many ways of you. He-no. no."
she added hastily. 81 don't mean that.
quite different You see. he
was an American
LUCKY beggar!" observed the pseudo
earl, with Il heavy sigh. Miss Rem.
wyck, i, too. would love to become an
American if-won't you teach me
how?"
"I?" she laughed "Yes, | will, If
you promise to follow Instructions i'm.
plicitly.
Done" he answered. I'm ready
for my first lesson. How will you be.
yin:"
She thought for a moment. then
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