Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-01-19
Damages
Wanted
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Haven't you forgotten something,
dearf' With halt-injured, quizzical
look Nora Merrill stood In mock des-
pair awaiting the return Of the
man, who, half way down the stairs,
turned at the sound Of her voice and
sheepishly clambered back.
Forgive me, sweetheart" he said.
after having somewhat more than
made UP for his omission. That af-
tair drove everything from my mind
for moment. But you know what
It means to me, and consequently, I
hope. to you"
but don't know what 1t means
to you. All know Is that you were
to take me to the theatre tonight and
here 1t is five o'clock and you burst
in on me all excited. and rush OF
again leaving me to be satisfied with
the remark that something Is In the
wind, and goodness knows what 1t
can be, that compels you to postpone
our theatre trip. Something that
may mean much to us both; some
thing you don't wish to tell me until
you make sure the news Is good.''
Trust me, dear replied the
young man. watch in hand, palpably
anxious to be OF. ''Ill be over to-
morrow at 10 and tell you all about
II. Just one more" and suiting the
action to the word, he dashed down
the stairs, again leaving behind him
fearful and perplexed girl.
Slowly she turned back, every
nerve a-quiyer with resentment over
such cavalier treatment. CHANGING
to the floor the first object that met
her eye was slip OF yellow paper
protruding from beneath the chair
her france had occupied for the few
short moments he had been in the
room. "a telegram she murmured.
Phil must have dropped It accident
ally" She held It, still folded. for a
short while. waging feeble strug-
gle against her natural desire to read
It. Il feel like an eavesdropper,"
she continued aloud, .'but oh, am so
worried. / must know what 1t says"
In feverish haste she unfolded the
message and read the words tina.
turned her to icy coldness:
Mr.. Philip Dacre. Hotel Bennison,
Boston, Mass:
play Fall River tonight: will ex.
beet you before the show.
s,MAY."
Sick at heart she crushed the bit
OF paper in her hand and staggering
across the room to divan, fell limp.
ly upon 1t. sobbins to the verge Of
exhaustion. At length she arose. her
pale face set with grim determine
ton. Strengthening out and folding
the telegram, she placed it In her
corsage; then, in revulsion Of feel
Ing, hastily tore 1t from such too In
Innate association with her person,
placed 1t in desk, and with men
tai Until 10 tomorrow" bravely
dabbed the few remaining tears from
her eyes and left the room.
Philip Dacre was a clever young
man. II somewhat impecunious as
most young dramatists are apt to be.
His undergraduate play. written not
SO long ago but that its pungent
phrases and scintillating dialogue
were still the talk OF the faculty. de.
cided his career. Except for the pro.
duction Of a few short sketches in
vaudeville, nothing Of moment from
his pen had succeeded in breaking
through the wall Of managerial in.
difference, the wall that of late had
seemed to become more and more
impenetrable. Time and again had
he confided his plans and hopes to
the dear little woman whom he had
Just left, plans and hopes that had
all come to naught. Tardily had
come to- him. the wisdom of accom-.
plishing first and talking afterward.
Il might have told her at least that
Deane wanted to see me, even II
nothing came of It," he unused.
However. tonight will tell the tale
and If everything goes through Nora
won't mind having been left in the
dark for WHILE" And he hurried
on.
Precisely at 10 the next morning,
his face glowing in pleased anticipa-
ton of his reception, young Dacre
rang the bell at the nome OF Miss
Merrill and moment later, with a
CHEEKY Good morning, dear" inclin.
ed his head for the expected kiss.
"One moment, please" she coldly
remarked, avoiding him. How did
you find May?"
In bewildered establishment came
the reply, May who?"
Possibly you did not see young
lady on your trip?"
Eyes. / saw about FIVE"
"Oh. the Turk" she mentally ejac.
ulated Then aloud "And May was
there, no doubt?"
What in the world are you talk
ing about. dearie?" For reply she
moved swiftly to her escritoire and
nervously fumbling among some pa
pers in 1t presently drew forth the
telegram, holding 1t behind her back.
did you receive telegram yester.
day?" she asked, cycling him intently
Eyes, but how did you know?"
WAS 1t the cause Of your break
ting your engagement with me for
last EVENING""
yes, 1t was. And now" his face
lighting up IN amused expectation OF