Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-11-25

had no interest for him whatever. The
valley breeze. the glory of the blue Nlr-
ginia sky, the far stretching lines of
hills that caught and led the eye like
sen pillows. the dark green of shrub.
berry. the slope of upland meadows and
that elusive, vanishing CLEAN of white
before such things as these the splcn-
dor of empire and the might of armies
were unworthy of mans desire.
The baron's next words broke harsh
~ upon his mood
1.-The gratitude of kings is not thing
to be despised. You could go to Vienna
and begin where most men leave off.
Strong hands are needed in Austria.
You could make yourself the younger.
the great Stroebel"-
The mention of his name brought
back the baron's still unanswered
question. He referred to it now MS he
stood before them smiling.
II have answered all your questions
but one; | shall answer that little
later. If you will excuse me for Just
a few minutes | will 20 and get the
answer--that is. gentlemen. hope |
shall be able to bring it back with me-
He turned and ran down the step.
and strobe away through the long shad
ows of the garden. They heard til,
gate click after him as lie passed int.
the Claiborne grounds, and then the,
glanced ut each other with such |:
glance as may pass between two mem
bers of peace commission sitting oil
the same side of the table who will moi
admit to each other that the latest
proposition of the enemy his been In
the nature of surprise. They did
not. however, suffer themselves t.
watch Armitage. but automatically re.
filed their glasses
Through the green walls went Armi.
tage. He had not been out of the
baron's ground before since lie was
carried thence from the bungalow, and
1t was pleasant to be free once more
and able to stir without nurse at his
heels. and he swung along with his
head and shoulders erect, walking
with the confident stride of IL man who
has no doubt whatever of his immedi.
ate aim.
AT the pergola he paused to recon.
hotter. finding OH the bench certain
yestigia that interested him deeply-:i
pink parasol. Il contrivance of straw,
lace and pink roses that seemed TO be
a hat and June magazine. He jump
ed upon the bench where once lie had
sat an exile. a refugee, person dis.
cllssed In disagreeable terms by TIL.
newspapers, and studied the landscape.
Then lie went Oh up the gradual slope
OF the meadow until lie came to the
pasture wall. 1t was under the trees
beneath. which Oscar had waited for
Zmai that he found her.
''They told me you wouldn't dare
venture out for week." she said, ad-
vancing toward him and giving him
her hand.
That was what they told me-" lie
said. laughing, but escaped from my
keepers
You Will undoubtedly take cold
without your hat!'
Yes; shall undoubtedly have pneu-
monia from exposure to the Virginia
sunshine. l take my chances"
You may sit on the wall for three
minutes; then you must go back. i
cannot be responsible for the life Of
n wounded hero."
"Please!" He. held up his hand.
"Thats what ! came to talk to you
about"
about being hero? You have TAX
en- an unfair advantage. was going
to send for the latest designs in laurel
wreaths tomorrow"
She sat down beside him ON the wall.
The sheep were grayish blur against
the green. A little negro boy was
them, and they scampered
before him toward the farther end of
the pasture. The faint and vanishing
tinlile of bell and the boys whistle
gave emphasis to the country quiet of
the late afternoon. They spoke rapidly