Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-09-12
Copyright, 1915, 1915 BY Metropolitan
Magazine.

sponge to the bright light Of his win
dow, and there, with touching courage
and persistence, he tried to scrub the
paint out of the cloth. He obtained
cloud studies and marines which would
have interested a post-impressionist,
but upon trousers they seemed out of
place.
There came one seeking and calling
him again. Raps sounded upon the
door, which he had not forgotten to
lock.
willie" said a serious voice, mann
ma wants to know what In mercys
name is the matter! She wants to
know if you know for mercy's name
what time it is! She wants to know
what in mercy's name you think
they're all goin to think! She says
"G'wayw
well, she said l had to find out
what in mercy's name you're dom,
Willie!'
"You tell her." he shouted hoarsely-
tell her I'm playin' dominoes! What's
she think I'm doin'?"
81 guess"-Jane paused, evidently to
complete the swallowing Of something
81 guess she thinks you're goin
crazy. l don't like Miss Pratt, but she
lets me play with that little dog. It's
names Flopit."
"You 60 way from that door and
stop bothering me-" said William. Il
got enough on my mind!'
Mamma looks at Miss Pratt" Jane
remarked. Miss Pratt puts cakes in
that Mr.. Bullitt's mouth and Johnnie
Watson's mouth too. She's awful"
William beloved, IF you don't get
away from that door,
Jane was interested in the conversa-
ton. but felt that it would be better
to return to the refreshment table.
There she made use Of her own con-
ception of a whisper to place before
her mother report which was consid-
cred interesting and even curious by
every one present, though, such was
the courtesy of the little assembly
lucIc was q SCASAoi pAStSAoC VI NV
hearing.
81 told him." thus whispered Jane
AN he said, You g'way from that
door or I'll do somep'n'- He didn't
say what, mamma. He said: What
you think I'm dom? I'm playin' DOM
noes He didn't mean he was playin'
dominoes, mamma. He just said he
was. I think maybe he was just look
in In the lookin'glass some more"
Mrs. Baxter was becoming embar-
raised. She resolved to go to VII
Hams room herself at the first oppor-
tunity, but for some time her conscien-
tiousness as a hostess continued to &C.
cupy her at the table, and then when
she would have gone Miss Pratt de-
tanned her by rOguish appeal to make
Mr.. Bullitt and Mr.. Watson behave.
Both refused all nourlshment except
such as was placed in their mouths by
the delicate hand Of one Of the Noblest,
and the latter said that really she
wanted to eat little tweetie now and
then herself and not to spend her whole
time feeding the Men.
For Miss Pratt had the same playful
hess with older people that she had
with those Of her own age, and she
elaborated her pretended quarrel with
the two young gentlemen, taking 9th
ers Of the dazzled company into her
confidence about 1t and insisting upon
Mamma Batster's" acting formally as
Judge to settle the difficulty. However,
having thus arranged matters, Miss
Pratt did not resign the center Of In
terest, but herself proposed compro-
mise. She would continue to feed Mr..
Bullitt and Mr.. Watson "every other
tweetie"-that Is, each must agree to
eat cake "all by him own SELF after
every cake fed to him.
So the comedietta went on, to the
running accompaniment Of laughter,
with Mr.. Bullitt and Mr.. Watson swept
by gusts of alteration.
A colored serving maid entered with
laden tray and, having disposed of
its freight Of bonbons among the
guests. spoke to Mrs. Baxter in low
voice.
could you manage step in the back
hall minute, please, ma'am?"
Mrs. Baxter managed and, having
closed the door upon the laughing
voices, asked quickly: what is it,
Adelia? Have you seen Mr.. william
Do you know why he doesn't come
DOWN.
"Yes'm," said Adelia. HE gone
mighty near out his head, Miz Baxter.
He come tlopp;n' down the back stairs
in his bafroLe liz while ago. He jes'
gone up again. He amt got no britches,
Miz Baxter; he amt got no britches at
ALL"
But it can't be!' she gasped. "He
has! He has plenty"
CHAPTER TX.
Time Does Fly.
"1TO'M, he amt got no britches, !"
III Adella assured Mrs. Baxter.
can he's carryin' on so
don't scarcely think he
knows much what he's dom, Miz
Baxter. He 'brung down some gray
britches to the kitchen to see If
couldn' press an clean 'em right quick.
They was the ones Miss Jane, when
she's paintin' all them sunsets, lef' her
paint box open, an one them sunsets
ont IN thoSo horo vrav I,ritohoo Mir
Baxter. An honesty, Miz Baxter, he's
fixed 'em in condishun, tryin' to git
that paint out, don't believe it'll be
no use sendin' 'em to the cleaner.
GNloon 'om on, nroac am or,irk - 7