Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-09-08

1t ali, but quietly answered.. les. .,v
said something about riding east"
Are you going to do it?'
Not today. but guess I'd better
keep away from here"
She looked ut him steadily. "Why?'
Because you've been very kind to
me, and l wouldn't for the world do
anything to hurt or embarrass you"
Don't you mind about me-" she re.
sponded blun,ly. "What happened this
morning WASN'T your fault nor mine.
Come; father will be looking for you"
With feeling that he was involving
both the girl and himself in still dark
er storms. the young fellow yielded to
her command. and together they walk
ed along the weed bordered path. while
she continues:
This isn't the first time Cliff has
started In to discipline me. but it's
obliged to l,c the last He's the kind
that think they own girl just as soon
as they get her to wear an engagement
ring. But Cliff don't own me. told
him wouldn't stand for his coarse
ways. and ! won't!''
Wayland tried to bring her back to
humor. you're kind Of new wo-
man."
She turned a stern look on him.
you bet | am! was raised a free
citizen. No man can make a slave Of
hr hot h11t
it seems he didn't. He's all right in
many ways-one of. the best riders in
the country-but he's pretty Bile
domineering."
Mrs. McFarlane greeted Norcross
with cordial word and earnest hand
clasp. I'm glad to see you looking so
WE'LL" she said. with charming SINGER
1ty.
I'm browner anyway. he answered.
and turned to meet McFarlane. a
short, black bearded man with fine
dark eyes and shapely hands-hands
that had never done anything more
toilsome than to lift bride rein or to
clutch the handle Of gun. He was
the horse1nan in all his training. and.
though he owned hundreds of acres Of
land. he had never 50 m,lt-h,t held II
plow or piled !, spade. His manner
was tlest Of the cow boss the lord nf
great herds. the claimants, of empires
Of government grass land IoOr as his
house looked. be was in reality rich
Narrow minded in respect to his own
interests. he wnS we'll in advance Ut
his nei=hborS on matters re!ating IT,
of greed and generosity. as most mrn
arc. and. though he had been made
supervisor 1T Il time when p3'ir!ca'
pull still crippled the service. h. WA
loyal to the flag. I'm mighty glad to
see you" he heartily began. 1--WE d"n't
often get Il man from the sex, level
and when we do we squeeze him dry
His voice. low. lanSuid and soft. wa
most inSinnating. and for hours Il.
kept his guest talking Of the east and
its industries and preindices. and Rer
rie and her mother listened with deer
admiration. for the yonngSter lmtl'seen
good deal of\the old world and was
unusually we'll read on historical lines
Of inquiry. He talked we'll. too. in
spired by his attentive audience.
Berries eyes. wide and eager. were
fixed upon him unwaveringly. He felt
her wonder. her admiration. and was
inspired to do his best. Something in
her absorbed attention led him to speak
of things so personal that he wonder
ed at himself for uttering them.
"I've been dilettante all my life
was one Of his confessions. 1--WE trav
eled: I've studied in tepid sort of
fashion; l went through college with
out any idea of doing anything with
what l got: l had sort Of pride in
keeping up with my fellows, and had
no idea Of preparing for any work in
the world. Then came my breakdown
came intending to fish and loaf around
but I can't do that. I've got TO d'.
or go back home"
At last Mrs. McFarlane rose anc
Reresl. reluctantly. like child lath t..
Miss Il fairy story. held ont her hand
to say good night. and the young maj
saw on her face that look of Alteration,
which marks the birth Of sudden love
but his voice was frank and his gnnr.
kindly us he said:
Here I've done all the talkin. whe.
| wanted you to tell me all sorts -
things"
II can't tell You anything"
"Oh. yes. you can: and. besides. !
want you tn irtrrcede for me with yon
father and get me into the service
But We'll talk about that tomorrow
Good night
After the women left the roum No,
cross said:
II really am in earnest about cntr,
ing the forest service. I.andon tilen
me with enthusiasm al'ou, it Newell
mind the pay. I'm not in Immediate
need of money. but ] do need an inter
est in life
McFarlane stared ut him with kinul.
Il don't know exactly
what you can do. hut I'll work ynn il.
somehow. You ought to work under :,
man like Settle. one that could put yo'.
through trimming in the rudiments
Of the game III see what can ht
DONE"