Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-09-19

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8 shs waded knee deep along the
Drumming curbstones. AT the corner
below the house Of the BaxterS the
street was flooded clear across. and
James boat, following the current, pro.
ceeded CALAMITY onward here, sailed
down the next block ard was thought.
lessly entering q sewer when she
snatched It out Of the water Looking
about her, she perceived gutter which
seemed even lovelier than the one she
had followed. 1t was deeper and broad
er and perhaps little browner, where.
fore she launched her ship upon its
dimpled bosom and explored 1t as far
as the next sewer hole or portage.
Thus the voyage continued for several
blocks with only one accident, which
might have happened to anybody. 1t
was an accident in the nature Of fall,
caused by the sliding Of James left
foot on some slippery mud. This
treacherous substance, covered with
water, could not have been anticipat-
ed. Consequently James emotions were
those of indignation rather than Of cul-
pability
Jane resumed her navigating. Thus
absorbed she failed at first to notice
the approach Of two young people
along the sidewalk. They were the
entranced William and Miss Pratt, and
their appearance offered a suggestive
contrast in relative humidity. In
charming aud tender colored fabrics,
fluffy and cool and summary, she was
specklessly dry. Not drop had touch
ed even the little pink parasol over
shoulder, not one had fallen upon the
tiny white doglet browsing upon her
arm.
But William was wet. He was still
more than merely damp, though they
had evidently walked some distance
since the rain had ceased to fall. His
new hat was a mucilaginous ruin, his
dank coat sagged, his shapeless trou-
sers Topped heavily, and his shoes gave
forth marshy sounds as he walked.
But he carried walking stick proudly
If Jane had not recognized the mod
cling of his features she might not
have known them to be Williams, for
they had altered their grouping to pro-
duce an expression with which she was
totally unfamiliar. To be explicit, she
was unfamiliar with this expression in
that place-that is to say, upon VIII
liam-though she had seen something
like it upon other people once or twice
in church.
Williams thoughts might have seem
ed to her as queer as his expression
could she have known them. They
were not very definite, however. TAX,
ing the form of sweet, vague pictures
Of the future. These pictures were Of
married life-that is, married life as
William conceived it for himself and
Miss Pratt-something strikingly dif-
ferent from that he had observed as
led by his mother and father or their
friends and relatives. In his rapt
mind he beheld Miss Pratt walking be-
side him through life," with her para
sol and her little dog, her exquisite
face always lifted playfully toward his
own, with admiration underneath the
playfulness, and he heard her voice
of silver always ripping baby talk
throughout all the years to come. He
saw her applauding his triumphs-
"WHl-ee"
The aviator struck a hole In the air:
his heart misgave him. Then he came
to earth-a sickening drop, and instan-
tareouS.
"Wil-ee"
There was Jane. a figurine in plas-
tic state and altogether disgraceful.
She cai.l up out Of the waters and