Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1914-12-30
The Impossible Boy
By
By NINA WILCOX PUTNAM
(Ooc,rieh. b. Boba,-a1aErnl oal

bhAeUM CD
hack alley they plunged then, man and
bear. and emerging upon a wide slat-
ternly avenue, pushed back Slated
swinging door, and entered saloon. i.
There were shining mirrors within,
and polished woods, with a fine bar.
all arrayed with glasses and bottles In
decorative and tempting array. Here
was group Of men in post-midnight
mood, hilarious and ready to part with
small change. Sam made MIR. Jones
dance for them, turn somersaults, slt
In an armchair and hold pipe be-
tween his teeth, kiss him, be dead, and
perform many other intellectual feats
beyond the common requirement OF
bears. The fruit OF this effort was
only sixty-one cents. y n 8
Then Sam strolled away, ever
toward the river, in q northerly direc-
ton that would ultimately lead toward
the open country. And all the while
Iris filed his heart and mind, as. In
deed. she had done almost every mo-
ment since his angry parting from her.
It came to pass, that, being occupied
with the thought Of red.haired girl,
such as bore locks Of a similar color
arrested his eye more frequently and
with more personal interest than did
any other type; and so 1t followed in
a natural sequence, that when he
caught sight OF a Titan head (elab-
orately pulled, and curled, to be sure.
and quite unlike Iris cleaning braids)
behind the confusion of feminine ar
ticles OF apparel in the window of q
tiny notion shop. he fancied resem-
blance, and stopped to stare. And
equally inevitable was it that she
should feel that stare through the win
dow glass and over the mass Of articles
therein displayed, as people have a
way Of feeling stare; and looking up.
she smiled upon the handsome gentle
man whose gaze was riveted upon her.
She was no more like unto Iris than
the clnnamon-pink to the ascension
lily; nor was she at all pretty. But
Sam obeyed sudden impulse and en-
tered the tiny shop. followed by Mr..
Jones. ~
Together. they stood before the little
counter upon which we're piled coarse
stockings, underwear with cheap lace
trimming, unsubstantial &neckwear.
boxes OF ruching. Bingham aprons and
bandannas. She stood there, saying
nothing, but smiling. What should he
ask for? 1t was awkward, decidedly.
Yet here he was, and somehow or
other the situation must be managed.
Very vaguely he uttered what seemed
to him an inanity. I @.5.7
l. IL would like some buttonholes,' =
he stammered, and then blushed furi-
ously at having said such nonsense.
But the young lady seemed in mo-
wise disconnected by the extraordinary
request. -. b. ..5s.te, 3, 5,5 ...s. 81. TX
White or black?" She inquired
calmly. alt -s$.Ag; "a. .T-5;s ss2.' r.
I '"Eh?" said Hill incredulously. $.a,
e Il said, did you wish white or black
buttonholes :" she smiled. $sg VIZ 81
"But-but, great Scott! You don't
mean to say you actually have 'em r
gasped Sam. ssEa :esT s.,8 I..s.y&5"" At
4 "Of course. This is a notion shop;
didn't you read the sign ?" sS; llfi .j$5,55
Motion shop! should say it was!
How the deuce can hole have \
color? Is that one of the notions?",
said he. .555 S II. \ b 4 I s s, + 81
Il thought you didn't really want
them,", said the girl, but we do keep
,em embroidered on strips, you know,
OF black or white stun land you sew
EN- in!'' s3s ;Z5i I'D, 4 ST 81 :. .$
"Oh!"". said the enlightened male.
would you really not mind II ]. don't
have any. though? / don't really need
them. You see. you smiled. 80 !
+ $50 I guessed" said the girl. but it
amt any use. I'm engaged.
i5s''...Ah!'" said Hill, suddenly relieved of
the absurd situation which he had
brought upon himself. Then he added
CALAMITY: "You don't expect me to be
surprised, do you! He Is such very
lucky fellow!" 53.#$ ;s5&s *.
"He is q rover" she said plaintively.
81 "A WHAT" queried Hill politely.
"A wanderer on the face of the
earth" she elucidated. HE Is in the
lunch-wagon business, and not havin'
a regular stand. it takes him to dis
tant parts lot. You seem to be, the
sort that travels. too." she added, you
an the bear. Amt he the cute little
feller!" ,sr.a&s -%Tf r; S..s$t
Hill gave = huge sigh, and looked at
her sentimentally. #g
Il wish you would say as much to
me-" he told her sweetly. and then felt
almost as much of an ass as he looked.
But the lady spurned him with the
air of tragedy queen. ~ ~
"You shouldn't ought to say such
things" said she loftily. mo matter
what chances offer, l am ever true to
Mr.. Lovetoy." 81 70. ~
.Mr. Lovetoy takes great risk In
being away 80 much" he added; some
day he will return to find that you
have been stolen. kidnapped. Miss.
Miss w.. E..% ~
.."Call me Lola" said she; my name
10 Lizzy Hinkle, but like Lola La
FARCE better. read It in a book" Il
Miss La Fargo. you are a wonder"
said Hill sincerely. when is the
doughty lunch-wagoner going to marry
your" -, F.... 4
"Soon's he can get the money" she
conflded to him.
"And shall you Join him In his row
ing life, when that happy day arrives?
asked Hill.
"Yes!" she sighed. 1T must be
lovely to travel. l got this from him.
recent You 30 it's posted clear over
in Jersey. And this one is from Yon-
kers. How 4 shall enjoy seeing the
world"
Have you never travelled at all?"
he asked as soon as he dared to raise
his eyes.
ooh, yes!" she answered. 1--WE been
to Coney Island twice. But I've never
been uptown. And I've always wanted
to see Harlem, too. I've heard such
4