Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-04-30
THE BOOKWORM
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.
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copyright, 1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate)

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
lCopyright. 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate)
Raymond Walsh was puzzle to the
villagers of Willgreen. At the age of
twenty-five he was not even giving
marriage thought. Nothing seemed
to interest him but books and his
estate. Sarah Morley, who had been
postmistress for thirty years (this was
fact Sarah hoped no one could re-
member), kept the village posted on
his activities. The first year he had
been home from college he had taken
correspondence course in law, then
4 he had switched off to shOrt-story
I writing and later had studied the keep
ing of bees and the culture Of mush-
rooms. He was always trying some
thing new, but kept on with the old
things he had learned, adding to his
hobbies almost monthly.
Raymond did not find time for social
life. It did not interest him in the
least. He attended church every Sun
day morning and sat in the Walsh
pew all by himself.
''What do you suppose he is study
ing now?" Miss Temple exclaimed,
breathlessly, as she hurried into the
meeting Of the T. G. C. (This might
have stood for Town Gossip club)
Every member knew who she meant
but before they could offer guess
she had told them. veterinary sur
gerry! What do you think Of it?" The
discussion that followed did credit to
the volubility Of the members of the
{ T. G. G. Little Miss Audrey Dunbar
from the city was an interested visi-
tor.
"Why, auntie, what is 1t all about"
she asked. "Who is this man, and why
does everyone criticize him so Sc
verely?"
They were only too glad to tell her
all about Raymond. After the meet
ing Audrey felt an Irresistible longing
to meet this "oddity" of the village.
The sunshine suggested stroll in the
direction of the Walsh estate.
Just as she neared the Walsh estate
q dog limped toward her. Struck with
q sudden thought, she coaxed the ami
NAL to her and examined its injured
foot. It was broken, she felt sure. It
was big, dirty cur, by. all appear.
ances, but nevertheless she picked 1t
up in her arms and walked boldly
through the gate that led to the Walsh
home. She almost let the dog fall as
she caught sight Of tall, good-looking
man wedding in the garden, but re-
gained her courage and kept right on.
He dropped his hoe as he caught sight
Of her, and ran to meet her.
'What has happened7' he asked.
my dog has been injured" she said.
"Whatever will I do2 I should not
have brought him from the city with
me. Oh, is his leg broken? Do not
wiggle SO, dear Fido."
Raymond smiled family. as he took
the dog from her and rested it on the
grass. mo, 1t is not broken" he an
nounced, "but needs attention"
"PoOr old Rover-Fido, l mean"
Audrey corrected her mistake hur-
riedly. She hoped Raymond had not
noticed 1t.
II will carry him to the kennels. I
have hospital equipment there" Ray
mond said, as he looked up from the
dog.
Fido seemed quite at home in the
kennels. All he required was the rest
cure, apparently. for Raymond left
him to show Audrey about the place.
ut is wonderful" she told him en-
Enthusiastically. Everything is perfect.
You must be genius to have knowl-
edge of SO many things"
He laughed. '"The villagers here
think am a lunatic. You are the first
outsider to go over this estate for five
years. Nobody takes any interest in
me.
Once the Ice had been broken Au-
drey called often to see how "Fido"
was getting on. She left him entirely
In Raymond's care. But visits don't
last forever, and one day she an
nounced that she was going home to
the city.
II am sorry" Raymond said sadly.
II win miss you more than you can
realize"
"Will your" she asked earnestly.
II certainly will" With an effort
he changed the subject. "You will
take Fido home with you, Of course.
He is right at home here"
Audrey blushed furiously. 'He is
not really my dog" she confessed. II
never saw him before that day. He is
just poor dog picked up. wanted
to meet you, and that was the way
went about it."
Raymond was laughing II knew 1t
all along" he, too, confessed. "He Is
my dog-one of the best own, aren't
you, Jip, old boy?' The recovered Fido
danced around his master in acknowl-
edgment.
"You must have thought was ter
rible." she cried, horror-stricken. ut
was a dreadful thing to do"
TT was sweet thing to do. Every
thing you do and say is sweet. Just
think how happy your deception has
made me. ! love you, dear, and If 1t
was not that knew you hated village
life so much would ask you to be-
come my wife,"
"Village life! What difference does
that make? OF course I will become
your wife, even IL we had to live on
q desert island"
"YOu won't have to live here always.
have been doing some experimenting
for the government and ! have O