Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1913-06-18

I forward; but as he advanced, a white
figure stepped boldly out from behind
that partial screen. With sharp ex-
clamation. which found startled
echo from the girl. the Governor
stopped; stepped back as far as the
table.
What mummery.is this?" His lips
shaped the words uncertainty; his
hand, reaching out with that first
startled instinct OF danger. touched
the bell.
S""Your Ladyship rang On the OPP
posite side of the room was the door
thrown suddenly open. The look Of
l.expectancy5 on the face of the COM
Imandant,. who had SO promptly APP
lpeared, gave wey to one Of surprise;
CONSERVATION His Excellency! he
Emuttered, and mechanically saluted
Over the Governors visage faint
trace Of relief fitted; dryly he looked
from the tmountebank, now erect and
lmotionless. to the girl; but the face
was averted and his Excellency could
not see the sudden Wilderness Of her
cheek; again he regarded the officer.
You answer our summons with
alacrity,"' he observed to this last sub
ject of his scrutiny.
The commandant Redeemed. Il
Eyour Excellency-the truth is, was
waiting without, at the door"
what you have Just stated" re
turned the Governor, "is patent; what
4. / should like to know, however" with
subtle change Of tone. Els why you
were stationed there" 2.
$..To take this mountebank player
away. when It pleased her Ladyship
to, Is fs Is
Yes; to take him away" interrupt
ed the lady in hurried tones. the agi'
tation Of which she strove to conceal.
..And / was aboutit call him. when
The Governor continued to address
the commandment. ~ GU brought him
here?" incisively.
yes; your Excellency: stupid
fellow we arrested for making trouble
with his dolls. and-but with her La
dyship's spermissio awkwardly
turning to the Governors daughter. q
VIII explain 4 81
To this the girl. however. made nc
answer; as IL fascinated. watched
them, the commandant, her father, the
still, white figure at one side-not fal
away! 5 .s, tssst NJ
II think" the Governor spoke soft
| ly, .'you will do that. anyway!"'$
Exactly, your Excellency! It hap
pened in this wise" and not without
evidence Of constraint and hesitation
the officer slowly related the story Of
the disturbance on the platform; the
/ taking into custody of the rogues and
knaves, and my lady's interest in the
vagabond clown whose play had oc
casioned the riot. ISL
.Becauses At was seditious, designed
to set authority at naught?" interrupt
ed the listener, grimly cycling for an
instant the motionless form OF the
mountebank.
ION the contrary. your Excellencyp
quickly. Her Ladyship assured me II
was the loyal and faithful sentiments
Of the play that caused the unruly
rascallions to make trouble. and that
the clown deserved no punishment be.
cause he had intended no mischief. "
Her Ladyship?" The Governors
brows went suddenly up. How" he
asked at. length in a voice yet softer,
should her Ladyship have known
about the loyal and faithful senti'
ments.s OF piece given in the town.
before crowd of brawlers?" Ys
because i was a SPECTATOR, said
his daughter, red spot now on her
cheek; changing lights in her eyes.
"A spectator. repeated. in mild
surprise, the Governor.
II will explain-after!" she added
in tones, low. constrained.
| "Hum!" His Excellency's glance
swept to the ycommandant.
| (TO$ BE CoNTINUED3