Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-10-19

I'll Just run up to the Purdies' and
leave this" she said
Then she really did want to be rid
OF me-" Flora unused, as she watched
the brisk back moving away; "and
how beautifully she has done it,"
Her eyes followed Clara's little figure
retreating up the neat and narrow
board walk, to where 1t disappeared
in overarching depths of eucalyptus
trees. Further on, beyond the trees,
two figures. smaller than Clara's in
their greater distance, were coming
down. Flora almost grinned as she
recognized the large linen umbrella
that Mrs. Purdie invariably carried
when abroad in the reservation, and
presently the trim and bounding fig.
ure of Mrs. Purdie herself, under it.
The Purdies were coming down to
parade-at least Mrs. Purdie was. But
the tall figure beside her-that was
not the major. She took up her lorgnon
1t was-no it could not be-yet surely
1t was Harry! Lazy Harry, up and
out, and squirting Mrs. Purdie to the
review at half-past ten in the morn.
ing! "Are we all mad?' Flora
thought.
The three little figures, the one 60
ing up, the two coming down, touched
opposite fringes of the grove-disap-
peared within 1t. On which side
would they come out together? Flora
wondered. They emerged on her side
with Harry little in advance. He
came swingingly down the walk
straight toward her, and across the
road to the carriage, his hat lifted, his
hand out.
well, Flora" he said. this is
luck!"
What in the world has got you out
SO early?" she rallied him.
Game out to see Purdie on bust.
ness. and here you are all ready to
drive me back"
That's your reward"
He brushed his handkerchief over
his damp forehead. "Well, there's one
coming to me. for haven't found
Purdie"
Her eyes were dancing with mis-.
chief. Harry, I believe you're out
here about the Crew Idol, tool"
He shook his head at her, smiling.
Il wouldn't talk too much about that,
Flora. 1t flicks poor Purdie on the
raw every time that" His sentence
trailed of into something else, for
Mrs. Purdie and Clara had come up.
The book had changed hands, to-
gether, evidently, with several expla-
nations, and Mrs. Purdie, with her
foot on the carriage step, was ready
to make one of these over again.
1.-THE majorll be SO sorry. He's
gone in town. It's SO unusual for him
to get of at this hour, but he said he
had to catch man. AS Mrs. Britton
and were saying, he's likely to be
very busy until this dreadful affair is
Strengthened out. If you can only
walt a little longer, Mr.. Cressy," she
went on. Il am expecting him every
moment"
"Oh. it's of no Importance" said
Harry, but he looked at his watch
with fold between his brows, and
then at the car that was coming in.
well, at least, you'll have time to
see the parade" said Mrs. Purdie. 81
always think it's pretty sight,
though most of the women get tired
Of it."
Clara's face showed that she be-
longed to the latter class; but Flora,
too keenly attuned to sounds and
sights not to be swayed by outward
circumstances, was content for the
time to watch, in the cloud of dust,
the wheeling platoons and rhythmic
columns.
Yet through all-even when she was
not looking at him-she was aware of
Harry's restlessness. of his impa-
tience; and as the last company
swung barrackward, and the cloud
began to settle over the empty field,
he snapped his watchcase smartly,
and remarked, "still no major"
"Why. there he is now!" Mrs. Pur.
die screamed, pointing across the pa
rade ground.
Flora looked. Halfway down on