Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-06-24

eS,' nlt11nured Harriet 1Gtntly.
and think of the money they are to
have from dear Michael and that-ah-
Bible company!'
Richard and Harriet were not YET
alone, for Mr.. Cornelius Van der Awe
still sat in a huge rocking chair, the
picture CT woe and misery.
DO you know" he murmured, apro
pos of nothing in particular. every
body in the world seems happy-ex
cept poor me!t
"Cornelius!" called shriIl voice
and. looking up, all three spied flush.
ed face and disheveled head that were
poklng over the banisters. Cornelius,
you make me tired! Go out on the
lawn and wait until fix my hair. |
never saw such miserable, detected,
silly boy! declare, I'm almost sorry
that Pm not engaged to Mr.. Williams
instead of your
The head disappeared the melan-
choly lover departed, with dazed and
gloomy air. and Harriet and Richard
were alone at last. For moment nei-
their spoke; then he took her unresist.
ing hand
Harriet" he whispered and now
his voice for the first time trembled-
Harriet, do you understand why 1
stopped to this deception2 tried to
tell you over and over again, but fear
ed to lose you in the telling. would
gladly have faced death a thousand
times rather than deceive you, and
yet-for you did it. Did you know
did you dream that was an Ameri.
CAM"
Harriet laughed.
Il guessed you We're not an English
man by the dreadful time you had
with Lord Croyland's monocle. Really
1t was most pathetic!
Richard took the frail silk cord be-
tween his thumb and finger, whirling
the glass around his head in the man.
ner of lariat.
ut has served its purpose, ar now
We'll smash the last emblem of the
foreigner"
"No; don't" interrupted Harriet
quickly. ''l.et me keep it as souye-
Aii VI SOul lCullollC
He dropped it into her hand and
asked:
But did you suspect that was
the
1.-The cowboy?" she finished. I'll
hoped you We're"
God bless you for that" he cried.
"And, now that you know, may tell
you again that l have loved you, wor-
SHIPPED you, since that first sweet mo.
ment when l pulled you from your
pony and held you in my arms? May
l tell you that never for Il moment
have ceased to dream of you. want
ing you as wanted nothing else in
the whole wide world?"
"You-you didn't think that way at
first" she smiled
How? What do you mean?"
Harriet hesitated, blushed and then
went on:
"Well-you-you put me down on the
grass, gave me that awful whisky
then forgot all about me-to go after
your-horrid cows"
1t was richards turn to laugh
"But. you see," lie explained. ut
was duty that called me then, even as
another duty calls me now. Pm afraid
must leave you to look after an Eng
lish calf" He smiled at Harriets
look of blank establishment and con-
tinued, with laugh: at is all on ac-
count of poor Woolsey Bills. thought
he had helped to steal your diamonds,
and I'm afraid l locked the Cardinal up
in the bathroom"
ooh, please hurry and let the poor
thing out!' Miss Harriet pleaded
when she fully realized the situation.
But Richard for once determined to
put pleasure even before so plain a duty
as releasing an innocent prisoner.
NO" he whispered; 81 want the
promise of another prisoner first-a
prisoner for life-for all time-and one
who will never wish to get away
love you" he pleaded. with all my
strength and with all my soul. Dear
est, will you be my prisoneri'
She checked his extended hands and
asked. with Il mischievous smile:
"Will-wi.l you lock me up in the
bathroom?"
"lf you need It." he answered auda.
ciously. but at other times I'll lock
you In my heart. Darling, will you
Gomez"
Again he came toward her, and this
time lie would not be denied.
YES" murmured Harriet family.
And Richard the Brazen came into
his own.
THE END.