Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-12-10
THE POACHER
BY MILDRED WHITE

There before her at the bend of thu
road was the original Of her fayoritt
picture. She had not fancied, as She
often admiringly gazed at the beauti
full water color of a quaint old house
that the house could possibly be real
More was 1t like an idealization Of an
artist.
The picture had drawn her from Its
first hanging on the walls Of the art
store. Since then, 1t occupied the Best
wall space In Delia's own room.
She had ridden far. lost In her dis
appointed thought far beyond the
well-kept state road into the rough
one Of the outskirts. Its uneyenness
had passed by unnoticed, as she Won
dered. FOR the hundredth time, why
her latest story had failed to please.
Della had counted much upon that
story. Heretofore she had been for
tunate in selling, what did this story
lack? II she might 80 over 1t again,
wholly concentrating her thoughts.
Della smiled cynically; where in the
hubub Of her society home might she
find concentration? Now she knew
what had caused her failure, the con-
slant call to other things. And as IL
In answer to her conclusion before her
SUCCESSFULLY doomed the isolated
house.
She was out of the car In bound,
shrewd old Scotswoman coming to
open the deep set door, waited to learn
Delia's errand. x.
1t Is SO restful here" she explain
ed breathlessly. Il wonder If you might
be persuaded to take me for few
weeks as a boarder?"
The neat Scotswoman considered.
swell now" she said, .I,ll ask
Sandy"
Sandy, her kindly old husband, was
quickly agreeable.
What HARM" he asked, '.when we
are alone?''
SO arrangements were made for
Della to come upon the following day.
Installed In her hammock back along
the hollyhocks, the Scotswoman left
the girl with one Injunction: "
II you see any trespassers.' she
cautioned, whistle for Sandy. There's
been many lately, coming to fitch our
fruit Or to fish In our stream. The
stream mustn't be disturbed"
I'm whistle" Della promised, and
she LEFT her hammock to examine the
stream.
The water color had given no prom
lse Of this stream. It went ripping
merrily on beyond the furthest trees.
It looked invitingly cool on this hot
summer day. Della was possessed Of
an unruly desire herself to bangle
line and to fitch the fine fruit. She
sat still instead, watching a "prize
catch" which came nearer and nearer.
And just as 1t came very near, a mans |
voice whispered roughly:
Don't startle him, I'm going to |
throw q line"
The man himself Immediately came
into view; his khaki trousers were
covered with mud. an old felt hat
shaded his bold, dark eyes.
Don't you dare!' cried Della; she
clapped her hands to brighten the fish.
The man turned on her impatiently,
then seeing her flushed checks and In
glowing eyes. he smiled.
well" he began, what do you
moon nv <haf
Il mean," Della answered steadily,
that you are trespassing and that you
must have read the forbidding signs
outside the WALL"
II did," the man admitted
"And yet you deliberately came to
ash." She decided to whistle for
Sandy.
did you intend" she added ,sar-
,astically, "to also help yourself to
The fruity'
3 ITO d few Of those choice plums
perhaps" the man replied. He calmly
suited the. action to the word.
what right have you to objecty-
he poacher questioned, he was smil-
ne.
4 live here" Della answered brief
y.
It was the mans turn to stare. He
lid SO unreservedly, while the per-
,lexity Of his gaze gave way to frank
admiration.
"Live here?" he repeated.
Sandy's burly figure came crashing +
through the brambles.
"Girl!" lie multered. what a scare
e gave me; I thought ye needed help.
sut If masters here
Hello Sandy pleasantly greeted
he man, who may I-ask, is this young
ady who informs me that my house
3 her place of residenceY' L
Sandy flushed. "She's just bit Of a
'oarder," he said. athe wife and ~
bought It no harm to take her in for
while sir, you not being expected
ome so soon an ALL
"All right" the man answered with
brusque gesture Of dismissal.
Della came close to him, raising tO]
lis, her lovely, embarrassed face.
"You called 1t your hOuse?" she
Questioned.
The man bowed, his smile was
strangely reassuring.
'T'm an artist" he explained. The
I'D place took my fancy and / bought
{ 80 that / might come out sometimes
o paint. Sandy and his wife are my
faithful caretakers.
MAY l tell you," Della asked, show
hannanad tn come hera2 It Is really