Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-08-31
cHAprER xx11-1conttnued)


was deep in the new wage scale sub
mitted by the miners union. but he
sat up and pushed the papers away
when his son entered.
Have you seen this morning Trib-
une?" asked Tom. taking the paper
from his pocket.
No; don't make out to md much
time for 1t before get homo o. nights
said Caleb Anything doin'?"
Yes; they are having hot time In
Chicago and Pullman. The strike Is
spreading all over the country on sym
patty lines"
Reckon It'll get down to us in any
way?" queried the iron-master.
You can't tell. I'd be little easy
with Ludlow and his outfit on thai
wage scale. II / were you. We dom,
want row on our hands Just now
Farley might make capital out of It,
Tom took an electric car for the foot
Of Lebanon on the line connecting with
the inclined railway running up the
mountain to Crestcliffe Inn. He had
not seen Ardea since the midwinteI
night Of soul-awakenings; and Alecto's
ringer was still pressing on the wound
inflicted by the closed doors Of Noun
tain View avenue and his fathers dis
directed sympathy.
He found Major Dabney on the hote
veranda, and his welcome was moi
scanted here. at least. Tho moment
being suspicious, Tom sounded the
master Of the Deer Trace coal lands on
the reorganization scheme. and found
nothing but complaisance. Whatever
arrangement commended itself to
Tom and his father. and to Colonel
Ouxbury Farley. would be acceptable
to the Major.
reckon I can trust you. Tom, and
my ve'y good friend, youh fatheh, &c
watch out for Ardea's little fo'tune..
was the way he put 1t. II had planned
to give her a little surprise on heI
wedding day: suppose you have the
lAwyehs make out that block of new
stock to Mistress Vincent Farley In
stead of to me?"
"of course. Major Dabney, II you say
So But wouldn't itNbe more pruden,
to make It over In trust for her and
her children before she. becomes Mrs
Farley?"
Tell me. Tom. have you had youh
suspicious in that qua'teh. too? I'm
speaking in confidence to family
friend. subj
1T Is Just az well to be on the safe
!. side" said Tom. evasively. There wa.
enough Of tho uplift left to make him
reluctant to strike his enemy In the
dark.
"No. sub. that isn't what 1 mean
You've had youth suspicious aroused
Tell me. sub. what they are"
Suppose you tell me yours, Major
smiled the younGer man
Major Dabney became renectivels
reminiscent Il don't know. Tom, and
that's the plain fact Looking back
oveh Duh Acquaintance. thah's nothing
in that young man for me to put nm
geh on: but. Tom, tell you in conn
dence. sub. I'd give five yeahs Of my
old life. II the good Lord has that many
mo- in His book for me, II the blood
OF the Dabneys didn't have to be-uh-
mingled with that Of these heah Yam
KEGS. would. for fact. sub"
Then you'll let me place your third
Of the new stock In trust for her and
her children" he said. THAT will be
best. on all accounts. BY the way
where shall i md Miss Ardea?"
Shes about the place. somewhahs..
was the reply: and Tom passed on 10
the lighted lobby to send his
card in search of her.
Chance saved him the trouble. Some
one was playing in the music room and
he recognized her touch and turned
aside to stand under the looped por-
tieres. She was alone, and again. a.
many times before. It came on him with
the sense OF discovery that she wa.
radiantly beautiful-that for him she
had no peer among women. There
was no greeting, no welcoming light In
the slate-blue eyes: and she did no,
seem to see when he came nearer and
offered to shake hands.
"rve been talking to your grandfath-
or for an hour or more" he began. .and
was Just going to send my card after
you. Haven't you word Of welcome
for me. Ardea?"
.Do you think you deserve welcom,.
from any self-respecting woman ?" she
asked. In low tones.
why shouldn't II" he demanded
"What have / done to make every
woman meet look at me as IL 1 wers
. leper?"
You know very well what you have
DONE" she said evenly. IF you had =
spark of manhood left in you. Won
eWoull know what a dastardly thing Won
are doing now In coming here to see
me-"
We'll. / don't" he returned, doesed.
ly, And another thing: I'm not to lie
put OF with hard words. ask YOU
agaSn what has happened? Who mas
been lying about me this timer"
You were intending to walk down 10
the valley?" she asked.
He nodded.
II will walk with you to the elf,
edge"
1t was short hundred yards. and
there were many abroad in the Sray-
eled walks: lovers In pairs. and groups
of young people pensive or chatfering
Soft was not until they stood on the
very battlements of the western cliff
that they were measurably alone.
HAS no one told you what happen
ed last March on the day of the ice
storm?" She asked. colby.
',No."
Il used to think knew YOU" she
said. faltering. but don't. Why dom,
you despise Hypocrisy and double deal
ing ~ you used tor"
Il do; more heartily than ever"
Tom. II Is terrible thing to say
and your punishment will be terrible
But you must marry Nancy!"
He was standing on the brink of the
cliff. looking down on Paradise Valley
spread like a silver-etched may ia,
below in the moonlight. The flare and
sough of the furnace at the IRON worka
came and went with regular intermit-
tency: and Just beyond the group OF
.Chiawassee stacks tiny orange spot
appeared and disappeared like will.
o'-the-wisp. He was staring down al
the curious spot when he said:
III | say that have no duty toward
Nan. you will believe 1t 10 lie-a,
you. did once before. Have you evel
reflected that 1t Is possible to trample
on love until 1t dies-even such love a,
I bear you?"
1T is shame for you to speak OF
such things to me. Tom. Consider
what / have endured-what you have
made me endure People said 1 wa,
standing by you. condoning sin thai
no right-mihded young woman should
condOne. bore 1t because / thought
I believed. you were sorry. And o,
that very time you were deceiv.ng m,
--deceiving every one. You have drag.
Ked me in thu very dust of aha meln