Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-08-08

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even more dazzled with love than when
he had first met her, some three hours
past, she made her way between the
tubs and passed on down the street.
Not till the three and Flopit were out
Of sight did William come forth from
the hedge. In silence then they re-
sumed their journey. Clematis was
waiting for them at the corner ahead.
That evening, at about half past I
o'clock, dinner being over and Mr.. and
Mrs. Baxter parents Of William) seat
ed in the library, Mrs. Baxter said:
81 think it's about time for you to
go and dress for your Emerson club
meeting, papa, if you intend to CO."
DO l have to dress" Mr.. Baxter
asked plaintively. I'm getting old
think, mammal" he urged appealingly
when mans my age
"Nonsensev' she said. "Your figure
is exactly like Williams. It's the fig
ure that really shows age first, and
yours hasn't begun to-" And she add
ed briskly. go along like good boy
and get it over"
Mr.. Baxter rose submissively and
went upstairs to do as he was bid.
But after fifteen or twenty minutes,
during which his footsteps had been
audible in various parts Of the house,
he called down over the banisters:
81 can't find my. evening clothes!
They aren't anywhere in the housed"
where did you put them the last
time you wore them?" she called.
II don't know
"All right; I'll come" she said, put
ting her clothing upon the table and
rising. Men never can find anything"
she observed
Mr.. Baxters evening clothes were to
be found. perhaps William could find
Them" said Mrs. Baxter, final con-
fession of helplessness.
But William was no more to be
found than the missing apparel. Will
liam, in fact, after spending some time
in the lower back hall, listening to the
quest above, had just gone out through
the kitchen door, And after some en-
suing futile efforts Mr.. Baxter was
couterments Of business.
AS he passed the house Of Mr. Parch
er he noted the fine white shape Of a
masculine evening bosom cleaning in
the moonlight on the porch A dainty
figure in white sat beside it. and there
was another white figure present,
though this was so small that Mr. Bax-
Ter did not see it at all. 1t was the
figure Of tiny doglet. and it reposed
upon the back masculine knees that
belonged to TIE evening Bosom.
Mr.. Baxter heard Gu,cet voice.
'He is indifferink. isn't he. sweetest
Flopit: Seriously, though. Mr.. Wat
son was telling me about you today.
He says you're the most Indifferent
man he knows. He says you don't
care two minutes whether a girl lives
or dies. Isn't he mean ole wicked
sing, p'eshus Flopit?''
The reply was inaudible, and Mr..
Baxter passed on. having recognized
nothing Of his own.
"These young fellows don't have any
trouble finding their dress suits,
guess" he murmured. mot on a night
like this"
Thus William. after hard day, came
to the gates of his romance, entering
those portals OF the moon in triumph.
At one stroke his dashinn raiment
gave him high superiority over John
ME Watson and other rivals who might
loom.
Williams period of peculiar sersi-
tiveness dated from that evening, and
Jane in particular caused him great
Zeal of anxiety. In fact, he began to
feel that Jane was modification
which his parents might have spared
him, with no loss to themselves or to
he world.
For one thing, her passion for bread
and butter, covered with apple sauce
md powdered sugar, was getting to be
l serious matter. Secretly William
was not yet so changed by love as to
oe wholly Indifferent to this rejection
himself, but his consumption Of it was
private, whereas Jane had formed the |
habit Of eating it In exposed places,
,uch as the front yard or the sidewalk.
Mrs. Baxter was pleasantly engaged
with q sprinkling can and some small |
and Jane, having return
I'd from various sidewalk excursions,
stood close by, her hands replenished
With the favorite food and her chin
Using and falling in gentle motions.
Upon this calm scene came William,
round a corner Of the house.
'urious yet plaintive.
you've got to do something about
hat child" he began. II cannot
|tand it!'
Jane looked at him dumbly, not ceas-
ng. however, to eat, while Mrs. Bax-
er thoughtfully continued her sprin'
ling.
you've been gone all morning, Will
ie." she said. II thought your father
mentioned at breakfast that he expect
ID you to put in at least two hours
lay on your mathematics and
That's neither here nor there" VIII
lam returned vehemently. Il just
want to say this: If you don't do some
hing about Jane l will! Just look at
Ter! Look at her, ask you! That's
ust the way she looked half an hour
go out on the public sidewalk In front
# the house when l came by here
With Miss prnffI Thaf uvas Dloa "a nt