Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-08-04
Her
9 n e
Essential
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

Wheaton frowned as Albright en-.
tered the car. He disliked man who,
IKE Albright, perpetually harped upon
one subject, and, most OF all, he de-
tested the poker stories in which All.
bright delighted. He rose from his
seat as though to leave the train and
passed into the forward car.
The car into which he came was
more crowded than the one lie had
left. But a single seat remained I'm.
occupied, and in the adjoining place
sat Bess Hartley. He was we'll into
the car before he saw her, and now
ne turned his back to that side OF tho
car and pretended not to notice the
vacant seat.
But he was not to profit by this
smbterfuge,' for, an officious old lady,
with kindly intention and a vigorous
arm. prodded hmm in the back with
the point of her umbrella to call his
attention to the vacancy With pc
lite smile upon his lips. but with
black rage toward all meddlers in his
heart. he made his way up the aisle
and sank beside Miss Hart!ey lie
could not, In courtesy, ignore her
presence, even though she had refus
ed his proposal of marriage the night
before. and presently they were en-.
gagged in a conversation made up Of
THE baldest platitudes, and kidgeley
Wheaton's dissatisfaction with himself
and the whole world increased as he
lealized how miserablv nuerile his re.
marks must sound.
The knowledge put him still furth.
er Ill at ease, and he was sorry that
he had not remained in the other car
to listen to A'bright's mythical stor.
les of the stiff game" of the night
before.
1.-The next is my station" he an
nounced. as he prepared to leave the
car. He was still three miles from
home. but he could wait for the next
train.
Bess' face assumed a pleased ex-
preston. Isn't that nice!" she
cooed. Il am getting off here to see
Nell Langley. You can go as far as
the door If you wish"
Wheaton groaned inwardly as he
thought of the fresh trouble his du.
plicity had brought upon him. If he
walked with Bess as far as the Lang
leys' he would be late for dinner and
his father, himself the soul OF pune
tuality, was resentful of hardness in
others. He should have to telephone
that he could not get home and make
dinner in lonesome solitude at some
restaurant
But he showed something of this
in the gesture sent a pang to his
and assisted Bess down the aisle,
skilfully guiding her through the lane
made by outstretched feet OF the train
hogs. Once on the street, she slipped
her arm through his and something
In the gesture sent a pang to his
heart as he thought of the night be-.
fore
The knowledge that she did not re.
turn his love obsessed his thoughts
and II his conversation on the train
had been puerile, now it became posi-
lively idiotic, and he was glad when
tney turned the corner of the street
on which the Albrights lived.
At the corner Bess Slipped her arm
from his. II will not further impose
upon your good nature" she said
pleasantly. ~ can get along without
escort from here"
but look here" he argued, sud-
den flash of sanity clearing his cloud.
ed brain. You told me last night
that the Langleys had all gone out
OF town fer couple OF weeks Old
Mr.. Langley Is dying or something
Ike that, wasn't it?"
did ~ asked Bess in sweet sur
prise. I'm afraid that ! said many
things last night that were not quite
right. You see. | was excited and I
got mixed up"
ut did have rather unsettang eff.
feet upon us both" he agreed dryly.
Are you going to the house or are
you going homer"
y suppose that might as we'll go
home" she said little forlornly.
How did you Come to make that
mistaken demanded Wheaton.
II suppose If l confessed that it
was to enjoy the pleasure of your
society a while longer you must feel
too VAIN" she suggested .aaringly.
Wheatrn's hand close l. over hers with
grasp that made Der vince. lie