Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-06-09


~ told you never to wear that dress
again." he said in dry, harsh voice.
The girl made no answer, for her
heart was breaking, but turned and
went Into her room. Burrell had an
Irresistible desire to tell Gale that he
wanted his daughter for his wife. 1t
would be an unwonted pleasure to
startle this iron gray old man and the
shawled and stumbling mummy Of
red, with the unwinking eyes that al
ways reminded him of two oXheart
cherries, but he had given Necia his
promise. So he descended to the ex-
change Of ordinary topics and inquired
for the news Of the creek.
"Necia's ground is getting better ev-
cry hour" the trader said. Yesterday
they found sixty dollar pan."
''Have you struck pay on yours"
'sNo; Poleon and seem to hold bad
hands. Some of his laymen are quit
ting work. They've cross cut in half
n dozen places and can't find color"
Gale went to Necia's door and called
her, but when she appeared he was un-
prepared for the tragic face with which
she greeted him.
"Daughter,"- he said, don't feel bad
over what said. 1 didn't mean to be
cross with you, butt don't like that
dress"
''Were you cross with me, daddy?"
she said duly. 81 didn't hear What
did you say?"
He looked ut her in amazement. me
ella, little girl, what is the trouble?"
She was staring past him, and her
fingers were fumbling hclplessly with
the lace Of her gown, but she began to
show signs of collapse.
81 sent him away-I-gave him up.
when he wanted me-wanted me- Oh,
daddy, he wants to marry me-and
sent him awayv'
.'He asked you to marry him in-in-
in spite of who you are and what
ami"
Eyes; he is ready to give up his am
bition, his army, his future, his family,
everything, for me-to sacrifice 1t all,
and so, Of course, couldn't let him.
She spoke simply, as if her father
would surely understand and approve
her action. while in her voice was a
note of inevitable resignation. "You
see, never understood what my blood
would mean to him until tonight. I've
been selfish and thoughtless, guess.
just wanted him, and wanted him to
take me, but now that he is mine
love him more than thought. He is
SO dear to me that can't drag him
down. can't-I can'tw She went tc
the open door and stood leaning
against the casing, facing the cool out
er darkness, her face hidden from
them, her form sagging YEARLY. as II
the struggle had sapped her whole
strength.
Alluna crept to the trader and look
ed up ut him eagerly, whispering:
This will end in a little while, John
She is young. She can so back to thu
mission tomorrow. She will soon for
get"
.'Forget! Do you think she can for
get?'
"Any woman can forget. Only mel
remember"
ut is the red blood in you-lyine
You know you lic."
ut is to save your life" she said.
II know, but it's no use" To Neci
he said, you needn't worry, littl
daughter" But her ears were deaf
you needn't give him up, / say. Thi
will end all right"
Seeing that she gave no sign Of heed
Ing, he stepped closer and swung he
about till she faced him.
"Can't you trust me this one time
You always have before, Necia. 1 so,
he'll marry you, and it will come GU
right"
She raised her hopeless eyes an(
strove gamely to meet him, then. fail
ing, broke away and turned back tt
the door. II knew you couldn't under
stand. LILO God, love him so!'
With u cry like that of wounded AMI
NAL she fled out into the night, where
she could give vent to her anguish IN
seen, for she had never wcpt before
her father, but always crept away ant
hid herself until her grief was spent
Gale would have started after her, bu
Alluna dragged him back tiercely.
mo, no! 1t means your life, John
Let the, secret die, and she will for
get. She is SO young. Time will cure
her. Tislc cures everything. Don,
tell her, don't tell any one, and, above
all, don't tell that soldier. He would
not believe. nor would she. Even
have doubted"
"You?"
Eyes, John. And, If i don't believe
what is stranger to say? No maj
knowing you would believe the tale
without proof. Suppose she doubted
Have you ever thought Of that? Would
you not rather have her die still Low
ing you than live and disbellevey
Eyes, yes! OF course Live thought
of that, but Woman, you're worse
than rattlesnakev'
Gwen If he knew, he might moi
marry her. You ut least are clean
and that other man was devil. A
brave mans life is too great price tC
pay for grief that will die in a year.
Alluna was speaking swiftly in hel
own language, her body tense, hel
face ablaze, and no man seeing hel
could ever again have called her PEG
pie stolid.
you think time will cure love like
that?" he said.
eyes, yesH
THAT'S all you know about it. Time
may act that way perhaps in cities ant
such places, but out in the, hills 1t Ii
different When you've got the breatl
Of the forest in you, say it is differ
ent. Time! Why, I've lived fiftee1
years in the open with living mem
DRY. Every night I've dreamed 1t over
every day I've lived 1t through. In ev
cry campfire I see face. and every
wind from the south brings a voice
to me. Every stormy night girl with
eyes like Necia's calls to me, and ]
have to follow. Every patch of moon.
light shows her smiling at me, just
beyond, just in the shadows edge.
Love! Time! Why, Alluna, love is