Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-11-14

a number or vines, running upon
strings, made screen between the
porch and the street He lit large
cigar. "Well, WELL" he said, that
tastes good! II this keeps on III be
in as good shape as I was last spring
before you know it, Leaning far back
in the rocking chair, his hands behind
his head. he smoked with fervor, but
suddenly he jumped in a way which
showed that his nerves were far from
normal. His feet came to the floor
with thump. he jerked the cigar out
of his mouth and turned face Of con-
sterna ton upon his wife.
whats the matter?"
Suppose" said Mr. Parcher huskily
--"suppose she missed her trainH'
Mrs. Parcher shook her head.
Think not?' he said Frightening II
ordered the livery stable to have
carriage here in lots Of time"
"They did," said Mrs. Parcher Sc
verely; "about S. worth"
"Well, l don't mind that" he return.
ed, putting his feet up again. AFTER
all, she was mighty fine little girl in
her way. The only trouble with me
was that crowd Of boys. Having to
listen to them liked to kill me, and l
believe If she'd stayed just one more
day I'd been q goner"
"Mr. Parcher!' q youthful voice re-
peated.
He rose and, separating two Of tho
zines which screened the end Of the
porch from the street, looked out. Two
small maidens had paused upon the
sidewalk and were peering over the
picket fence.
"Mr. Parcher," said Jane as soon as
his head appeared between the vines
"Mr. Parcher. Miss Pratt's gone. Shes
gone away on the cars
"You think SOP he asked gravely.
1--WE saw her." said Jane. "Rannie
an | were there Willie was goin' to
chase us, l guess, but we went In the
baggage room behind trunks. an We
saw her go. She got on the cars, an 1t
went with her in it. Honest, she's gone
away, Mr.. Parcher."
Before speaking Mr. Parcher took
long look at this telepathic child. In
his fond eyes she was a marvel and a
darlins.
"Well, thank you Jane" he said.
Jane, however, had turned her head
and was staring at the corner, which
was out of his sight.
"Oo-oo-oohr' she murmured.
whats the trouble. Jane?'
"Willier' she said. "1t's Willie an
that Joe Bulitt an Johnnie Watson
an Mr.. Wallace Banks. They're with
Miss May Parcher. They're comm
right here!'
Mr.. Parcher gave forth low moan
and turned pathetically to his wife,
but she cheered him with laugh.
They've only walked up from the
station with May" she said. They
won't come in. Youth see"
Relieved, Mr.. Parcher turned again
to speak to Jane, but she was not there
He caught but glimpse Of her, run
ming up the street as fast as she could.
hand in hand with her companion.
run, Rannie, run" painted Jane. II
got to get home an tell mamma about
it before Willie! bet l ketch Hall
Columbia, anyway, when he does get
therev
And in this she was not mistaken;
she caught Hail Columbia 1t lasted
all afternoon.
1t was still continuing after dinner
that evening, when an oft repeated
yodel, followed by shrill walled
"Jane-ee! Oh. Jane-nee-ee" brought
her to an open window downstairs. In
the early dusk she looked out upon
the washed face of Rannie Kirsted,
who stood on the lawn below. Come
on out, JAMIE. Mamma says can stay
outdoors an play till half past g."
Jane shook her head. Il can't. l
can't 60 outside the house till tomor-
row. It's because We walked after
Willie with our stummicks out o
Joint"
Cant you come out at all?" Rannie
urged. go ask your mother. Tell
her.
How can II" Jane inquired, with a
little heat, when she isn't here to ask?
She's gone out to play cards. she and
papa"
Rannie swung her foot. WELL" she
said, 81 guess I hat to find somep'n to
do. G'night!'
With head bowed in thought she
moved away. Jane, on her part, left
the window and went to the open front
door. Conscientiously, she did not
cross the threshold, but restrained her
self to looking out. On the steps Of
the porch sat william alone. his back
toward the house.
"Willie," said Jane softly, and, as he
made no response, she lifted her voice
a little, "Will-ee"
"Whatchwantv he grunted, not NOV.
ing.
willie, l told mamma I was sorry l
made you feel so bad"
"All rightr' he returned CURLY.
"Well, when l hat to 80 to bed, VIII
lie," she said, mamma told me be-
cause made you feel bad hat to 60
upstairs by myself tonight"
She paused. seeming to hope that he
would say something, but he spake not.
-ssXVil,jo = dnn't hof RI 90 FOR awhile