Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1920-05-26
FAIR AND FORTY
BY LILLIAN M. RICHARDS.

t@. 1890. by Mcclure Newspaper syndlcate.)
Down on narrow street, where the
newsboys are shouting extra" most
of the time. Myra Virgins sits at the
cashiers desk in one of those famous
restaurants with a buckwheat front.
For three years now she has sat In
the same window. Her eyes and ears
are always open and nothing escapes
her notice.
"Say. mister" loudly called Myra
one day to a customer trying to sneak
out, 'pay your check here. please"
"Huh," growled the man, coming
back, "think you're smart, don't your"
And slamming the money down on the
counter, II suppose you thought was
trying to steal feed"
my goodness, no." replied Myra,
smilingly. "Guess you were suddenly
called to a fire; but after this, when
In here. be sure and see me before you
leave"
"Well. Is that So" sneeringly. 81
suppose you're the one who runs this
place. or maybe you"
Just then her antagonizer felt a
strong hand grab his collar and de-
mand an apology. Without hesitating
the irritant murmured something about
being sorry, and skunk out of the door.
Myra's well-rounded face became as
red as roses when she looked up into
the set features Of big Jim Roland.
Jim was travelling man. and every
time he came to town It was not the
eats alone that brought him to this
well-known restaurant. .Myra Virgins
welcome smile and pleasant "How do"
won him from the start. Now their
friendship grew rapidly into something
more deep and lasting.
They were both around the age OF
forty and had come to that quiet un-
Outstanding Of accepting things as
they were neither inquired into the
others affairs.
A buxOm widow was Nyra, with one
child. whom she boarded at a small
farmhouse In the country. Little Irene
Virgins was the Joy Of her life, and
Myra delighted in her trips to the re-
gion where she could breathe Gods
pure air, away from the smoke and
dust Of the city. One day, as she and
Irene were starting for a stroll over
the hills. . rosy-cheeked lad Of ten
begged to 20 with them.
He lives here. too. mamma" plead
ed her little girl. "He's my bestest
chum. Can't he sor
well. oil right" replied Myra, good
naturedly, and taking his hand she in
quired: whats your name, little boyr'
my names Jack Roland." was his
sturdy reply, a. be. stumbled along by
nor sioe. :Geyis 81 iiiW
Roland !" saaped shes hearing atiSs
name. b Then curioussxg ..And what's
youse fathers aamef Jack. toof'
'.No, my dsddy's name Is Jim" and
With uptlrned face. you've never met
my, daddy. have your He's the biggest
man In the world"
MYTHS thoughts were racing q mile
d minute, and her cheeks burned With
curiosity. "He must mean my jim. she
thought, and still II didn't seem nos
sv>ie The children ran, ahead ana
we're sliding on the Ice. little dreaming
Of the turmoil they'd created for Myra.
After d few minutes silent ponderine
she called them TO her side and turned
back toward the house, Az they were
chatting In their childish way she
heard little Jack say TO Irene:
sMy Nanna,s coming this sfternoop
with daddy. She brings mo CANDY and
everything"
Unable n restra,n The rna.t,or .nv
longer Mvra asked aAnd wbo,s VOWS
Mama little hov," a. The soma tin.
1readinp tba ansUar
.wbv +ho,As h,s ,no+h.- :. ,,o,,.,, J,
cr,cl,v ror,,ad Trana - - ~. a.,s,..
70 know =, = o'
,. o.. "oiAs - ING city Joineu JACK
" :.
nc" I'll 4e. u.sns 'ia' sue
reluseu Jun many ihv'tauons tne