Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-12-29

r. Rqp' ''p
~ Guess I'm Not Fit to Speak TO You,'
He Said.
had ever done by day for Walter GAIA
let; at least she put on a "dressy'
blouse, her calling skirt (Which al.
ways looked new, and did what she
could to her hair. All this was only
because Mr.. Toye always came down
as il it were Mayfair, and it was rotten
to make people feel awkward il you
could help it. So in sailed Blanche,
in her very best for the light of day,
to be followed as soon as possible by
the silver teapot. though she had just
had tea herself. And there stood Hill
ton Toye, chin blue and collar black,
his trousers all knees and creases. ex-
actly as he had jumped out Of the boat
train.
II guess I'm not At to speak to you"
he said, "but that's just what I've
come to do-for the third time!"
ooh, Mr.. Toye!" cried Blanche.
really frightened by tho face that
made his meaning clear. 1t relaxed
a little as she shrank jnvoluntarily,
but the compassion in his eyes and
mouth did not lessen their steady de-
termination.
II didn't have time to make myself
presenta ble," he explained. Il thought
vo,, MOULD NJ ho "a ~, uocto q y,oopoopt
il you understood the situation.
want you to promise to marry me
right now!"
Blanche began to breathe again.
Evidently he was on the eve Of yet an
other Of his journeys, probably back
to America, and he wanted to 90 over
engaged; at first she had thought he
had bad news to break to her, but this
was no worse than she had heard be-
fore. Only it. was more difficult to
cope with him; everything was differ
ent, and he SO much more pressing
and precipitate. She had never met
this Hilton Toye before Yes; she
was distinctly frightened by him. But
In a minute she had ceased to be
frightened of herself; she knew her
own mind once more, and spoke 1t
much as he had spoken his. quite COM
passionately, but just as tersely to
the point
Zone moment" he interrupted. II
said nothing about my feelings, be-
cause they're a kind Of stale PROPOSE
ton by this time; but for forms sake
l may state there's no change there,
except in the only direction guess a
persons feelings are liable to change
toward you, Miss Blanche! I'm worse
case than ever, If that makes any diff
ference"
Blanche shook her yellow head.
Nothing can," she said. There must
be no possible mistake about it this
time, because l want you to be very
good and never ask me again.
Toye accepted his fate with ready
resignation, little short of alacrity.
There was a CLEAN in his somber eyes
and his blue chin came up with jerk.
That's talking!" said he. Nov will
you promise me never to marry GAIA
let?"
"Mr. TOye!"
That's talking, too, and l guess
mean it to be. It's not all dog-in-the
either. I want that promise
lot more than want the other. You
needn't marry me, Miss Blanche, but
you mustn't marry Cazalet.'
Blanche was blazing. But this is
simply outrageous
Il claim there's an outrageous cause
for it. Are you prepared to swear
what ask, and trust me as I'll trust
you, or am I to tell you the whole
thing right now?"
"You won't force me to listen to an
other word from you, If you're gen.
tleman, MI. Toye!"
Its not what l am that counts
Swear that to me, and swear, on my
side, that l won't give him away to
you or anyone else. But it must be
the most solemn contract man and
ever made"
The silver teapot arrived at this
uncture, and not inopportunely. She
lad to give him his tea, with her
7oung maids help, and to play tiny
part in which he supported her really
BEAUTIFULLY She had time to think al
most coolly; and one thought brought
| thrill. If it was a question of her
or not marrying Walter
Cazalet, then he must be free, and only |
he doer of some dreadful deed!
what has he done?" she begged, |
With a pathetic abandonment OF her
previous attitude, the moment they
we're by themselves.
Must I tell you?" His reluctance
'ang genuine.
II insist upon it," she flashed again.
"Well, it's long story
Never mind. l can listen.'
"You know, had to go back to
tally"
Had you?"
well, I did co." He had slurred
he first statement; this one was char
Icteristically deliberate. II did go,
md before | went I asked Cazalet for