Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-03-19
BARBARA'S REPLY
By MILDRED G. PEAsE.
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)

VOpyTlk0C, AS16s ny tHo MCSAuIo NoWSpOc
per Syndicate)
switch do you think would be pref
tier, mother" queried Barbara Stone,
"green wolfe, with white trimmings, or
a gray and coral combination2"
Both were porting over fashion
sheets, and scarcely heard the sweet
martial music which announced a big
patriotic parade in the street below.
"Well, sea-green does sound"-Mrs.
Stone was in the middle of sentence
when peal Of the door bell that star
tied her to her feet, sent Barbara fly
ing to the door.
A military man was impatiently tap
ping his brown leather boot on he
stone steps, and upon being admitted
quickly made known his errand.
A young soldier who had come on
from one of Uncle Sans training
camps to participate in the parade had
been thrown from his horse in such q
manner as to render him unable to
proceed farther, and would they please
accommodate him until the parade was
overt
why certainly. right this way
and Barbara led the way to her moth
er's sitting room and turned down the
divan bed. Her mother was equal to
the occasion and started right away to
make their unexpected guest comfort
able.
The guest himself, a good-looking
chap Of about twenty-five years, was
very sorry to disturb them, so he said,
but he mentally remarked that it was
fate that played him one good turn
when she picked a balky horse for
him to ride. since 1t gave him the
chance to meet the beautiful girl who
had opened the door.
The doctor who had been summoned,
on his arrival advised him not to move
for week, at least, as his foot had
received a very bad sprain.
Having introduced himself as Jack
Carter to Mrs. Stone and making a
very good impression on that estima-
BILE lady, 1t was not surprising that her
daughter should do all in her power
to add to their visitors comfort. So,
accordingly, Barbara brought up tray
laden with dainties that would tempt
the most fastidious.
Being rather shy, she laid the tray
down beside the bed and, thinking the
young patient asleep, was tiptoeing
out Of the room when he startled her
by saying: "Oh, I say, Miss Stone,
would you spare a poor fellow few
minutes? 1t is rather dull, just look
ing up at the ceiling and watching the
sun flicker up and down the wall"
She turned hesitatingly, wondering
whether or not to stay; but he did look
so boyish and dreadfully lonesome that
she decided to read to him q bit. She
picked up magazine and was getting
him rather interested, when she felt q
magnetism which seemed to draw her
eyes away from the book and look in
the direction Of her listener. What was
that indescribable feeling that surged
through her? Nonsense! He was only
q man among the many she had met;
but still there was something different
about him.
She finally laid down the book. and
he thanked her heartily. She then
withdrew from the room, with a prom
Use to continue later.
Each day found her reading or chat
ting, until one afternoon. about four
weeks from the date Of his arrival.
Jack stood, suitcase in hand, bidding
farewell to Barbara. Seeing that her
eyes were downcast, he babe her look
up, but she refused, and upon closer
view he discovered that her eyes were
full Of tears. "Oh. Barbara! Dear lit
tie girl; you are really sorry that am
going? I am sorry, too, dear, that
am going-alone. Could you consent
to be my usrse always, dear?"
We do not know her answer, but SUI
fee it to say that next day found Bar
bara and her mother busily addressing
long, white envelopes. and a beautiful
solitaire on Barbara's left hand de-
noted her answer.