Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1920-03-10
A HAPPY REUNION !
By MINNIE DEARsoRhE.

Il
* By MINNIE DEARBoRNE. *
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t@ 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicats)
Jack Harding had two hours to wait
/ before his train was due to leave. He
was sauntering along with the crowd,
when he felt heavy, hand on his
shoulder, and turning around. he was
exceedingly surprised to greet his
old friend and college chum, Dick Har-
rington. After the usual exclama-
tions and hearty hand-shakes, they
proceeded to talk OF their college days
and bushes interests. Excuse ME.
had quite forgotten to inquire about
Mrs. Jack Harding" Jack blew a
pun of smoke into the air, and turn
ing to his friend, said: Dick. have
never had the pleasure of meeting
Mrs. Jack Harding" Dick looked at
Jack with a quizzfcal smile, and q
merry twinkle In his dark eyes after
] heard that Jean and you We're en-
gagged, expected every day to receive
an invitation to the wedding, and for
some time / scanned the dailies to see
where Jack Harding had succumbed
to the charms Of the beautiful Miss
Jean Wetherbee, only daughter OF
Hon! and Mrs. Douglas Grant Weth-
erbee," Dick SUDDENLY closed his re-
citai, as Jack moved nneasily, and toss
Ing his cigar away, exclaimed with APP
parent surprise: .'Dick. Jean and II
were very happy until her mother de-
cided to take Jean on a European trip
for several months. After an absence. ]
Of four months. which had seemed 4
lifetime to me, received word that
they were about to return, to which
was looking forward to 4 happy meet.
Ing with Jean, and vowed nothing
would separate us again.
"Father called me into his Office one
morning and told me must pack 1t
once and sail for England. It was OF
the utmost Importance. The business
had to be attended to at once. Father
was not able to make the trip. !
was to remain AWAY at least three
months, and then 20 to Paris for sew
eral weeks. tried In vain to per-
suade father to send Proctor who
had been for years In his employ.
There was nothing left for me to do
but pack and leave on the next boat |
for Liverpool.
81 had just time to attend to these
dofal1@ QUA ryrit~ = h,,u.3 "a ,.xkn. - /
regret to Jeans home to be delivered
to her on her arrival. was not 70
busy but found time to write every
day to Jean, but all my letters were
returned to me unopened. This made
me feel very down-henrted, as l had
explained everything, If Jean had only
been reasonable and read my letters.
It was just FIVE months to day when
I returned to the States.
ut did not take me long to spin |
in the direction of Jeans home, only
to find she had left the day before
on western trip. could find out |
very little from the servants, until one
OF them came with package that |
Jean had left to be delivered to me.
It contained. with other presents, the
engagement ring That was Ave years
ago. have never seen her or heard
from her since
Jack paused and hastily looking at
his watch, exclaimed: well, Dick, Il
has got to be good-by. have just
time to make my train" Dick grasped
Jacks arm and with q firm but kindly
voice. exclaimed: ''Do you suppose I
have found you to lose you so soon1
You are not going on that train. You
are going home with me. want you
to see Elsie again. You know Jean
and Elsie used to be the dearest
of friends. / want you to. see my. new
home and how happy we are. know
Elsie will be delighted to meet an old
friend" said Dick hurriedly, as he
saw Jack was about to decline.
After few more urgent appeals
Jack was convinced. Dick telephoned
from his Office to Elsie he was to
bring home an old friend to dinner.
Dick stopped his car at what Jack
thought the most beautiful house on
the street. Jack was made to feel
right at home by the delightful greet
Ing OF Elsie. who came out to meet
them, looking up so dainty and fair.
Jack thought how fortune always
seemed to smile on his dear old
friend, Dick, while he-his thoughts
we're cut short, as he was being ush-
cred into large charmingly ar
ranged living room. But who was the
at the piano In white, vision !
of loneliness? Hearing the approach
Ing footsteps and animated voices, the
ady turned. Their eyes met. Then
voices rang out simultaneously.
Mrs. Elsie made hurried excuse to
.ot,Jrn RI tho culinary dona rfmenf.