Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-01-06

really not care for her? Hardly! Why
he said such things He had
followed her from the country! Had
he not begged to paint her, and paid
her such compliments as no one yet
had done? i That night at the Milf
gans' came back with a rush Of mem
ory. All! he had surely cared then!
What had since occurred to change
him? Samuel Hill! That was it! He
had learned OF her former attachment,
and meant at all costs to be loyal to
the man who had befriended him.
Something must be done to make him
see, quite clearly and unmistaka bly,,
| that his sacrifice to Hills trust Of him
was a vain and useless thing. But how
was this to be accomplished? Mean
while, Pedro was still talking.
II say with regret that have every
reason to believe that your father Is
being defrauded in some way. The
character OF the man, with whom saw
him, Is sufficient to Justify this. Also.
alas! this same man now appears to
be standing In such connection with
me as makes 1t impossible for me to
inform any ordinary person OF the
facts. I might injure an innocent
undoubtedly innocent-person by so
doing. to say, nothing Of perhaps let
ting out a secret which your fathers
actions prove he, wishes kept dark.
For a whole week have been trying
to see my way clear, and at last l
know that it lies only in refusing to
help you % a., .5s- ;r,;., Xxx.
f5"And yet" said Iris slowly, rising
and putting on her wraps, Il would re-
ward the right person to the best OF
my ability il only the work of help
ing, perhaps saving, my father could
be continued" s&.@lr at A.. S s.5s.
He gave her the mum for which she
stretched out her hand. 5r:5,
II wish indeed that l could help
you,"Isaid Sc. IT know the danger OF
confiding so delicate a matter to any
one. But, perhaps, for a reward
what would 1t be- this reward?" p
/. For an instant the audacity OF what
she was about to say rose like an i'm
pediment in her throat, holding her
silent, while her heart beat violently.
Then, at last, she found her voice. .%
II would marry him, no matter
though he thought there were fnsur-
mountable objections" she said with
meaning. So, $ ;;7..-,r.<a + -
He stood astounded. scarcely able to
credit his hearing, and could only look
and look at her, open-mouthed. Then
CLEAN of light swept across his face
as though he we're suddenly possessed
Of a glorious idea. 8 -. - .u-@E .
'Iris!" he gasped. will you-will
you put that down on paper? Make
an-what you call it-athdavit?"
(: Affidavit ?-yes!" she replied. X. ].
Then do sol" he cried, pushing pen
and paper toward her. .t.4 Is II
. .z"Do you really want it ?"' she asked,
looking straight into his eyes. E5
n "You bet!" he shouted joyously.
Z She laid down her muff, and draw
ing of her glove, she wrote: ,:$5 =.
II hereby promise to marry you on the
day you can tell me my father is not be-
cued from that. II any. which now Inn
perils him. And I furthermore agree to
overcome, any tdebatable objections you
= - '7'' e IRIS VANDERPOOL-.
"There!" she said, laughing a trifle
Historically, when she had finished,
will that do?", IS Il s5,s>z.
"splendidly!"I said Pedro. and thrust
ing the folded paper into his breast
pocket. seized her hand and kissed 1t.
with the grace OF, a courtier. K:
! Iris blushed, watching him with ten
der eyes. Then she submitted to be-
ing led downstairs and shut into her,