Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1920-01-07
FOR CURLEY
o. AGNES 6. sRoGAN.


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lcopyright. 1919. Western Newspaper unionl
Angela read the article again. then
sat gazing with dreamy eyes, into the
street. The philanthropist whose good
deeds were so often published. had
made another endowment. what .
beautiful life must be his, In the gem
erous sharing of riches. His grudging
interviews with reporters, aroused An
gela,s interest; who could imagine
great kindness Of heart, In one OF such
terseness Of words? Eccentric the old
gentlemen must be, she thought. and
impatient Of praise.
Then suddenly moved by q presump-
tuous thought, Angela's blue eyes wild
ened.
''Why not?" she mnrmured into the
dusk, and mist clouded the blue eyes
as she thought of Curley. Cnrley, at
once the joy, and anxiety Of her life.
It was one Of Angela's sudden irn-
pulses which had led her three years
ago to take upon herself the boys care.
Angela-or Angel, as he promptly cali.
ed her. had Been very young herself
at the time. Her visiting days at the
orphanage endeared Curley to her
more and more. He was such brave
little fellow with black eyes searching
for sympathy ard riotOus dark locks
matching the mischiey0us dimples IN
his cheeks. Their partings after each
visit were SO filed with mutual regret,
that Angela had gone to the superin-
tendent at last and arranged for Cur
ley's adoption. At home In her tiny
apartment, Angela was amazed at her
self for her daring; but she had never
regretted the act. Curley was con-
tinual comfort, making her evening
homecOmings a delight, always; ne
watched for her, needed her-that was
AngeIa's JOY and as Curley grew he
made himself wonderfully useful. NO
maid could have prepared daintier
meals or have learned to keep the
rooms In better order. Obi they were
very happy these two, with wreaths IN
the windows at Christmas time. and
picnicking days In summer.
Angela was wise In Curley,s instruc-
ton, and Curley adored his Angel.
For weeks Cnrley trudged through
winter SHOWS, soliciting orders FOR
certain firm which bestowed gifts for
each stated amount, and In this way
,Curley earned violin. Angela mar
yelled at his aptitude with the bow.
She was able to let him have few ana
simple lessons. But the music Curley
made up for her was very sweet to
hear. It became q part Of their pleas
ant evenings.
Now, after all the promise OF his
future, Angela must send the boy
away,-and where? Curley was still
too young to support himself, yet 10
these three years Of home life. he had
been far removed from the orphanage.
So, as Angela read the newspaper
article, there came to her another i'm
pulse, and she jumped to her feet
..Why not 2" she whispered again.
Her cheeks were flushed as she hur-
ried along the street and her eyes
shone through their tears. She would
seek the philanthropist In his home and
beg from nina chance for Curley.
Perhaps when she told the man OF all
their dreams-of how good and dear
and brave was her boy, perhaps the
heart Of james Rider would be moved
to do for Curley what she herself
found impossible. But Angela had
not counted upon the difficulty OF an
interview.
"You must arrange for an appoint
ment with Mr.. Riders secretary" the
door man told her.
Angela turned away. Then, as no
other course seemed possible. she de-
cided to see upon the following day
the secretary; and she took sCurley
with her.
A pleasant-faced young man ran
down the steps of the mansion just as
she and Curley started to ascend. She
from the bulging papers In
HE pockets, that this might be the sec
rotary himself. So Angela met the
young man with the question:
..As cannot see Mr.. Rider" she
said, II wish to take up matter with
his secretary"
The young man bowed, and immedi-
ately held open for her the house door.
Seated in an impressive library, with
Curley standing between them. the
man looked at Angela and smiled.
"What can i do for your he asked.
Earnestly then she told her story.
"Curley would be worthy of any
kindness Mr.. Rider could give him."
she finished TREMENDOUSLY. But the boy
nestled to her side.
"rd rather be near you. Angel, ne
said, "than have all the kindness OF
the world"
The pleasant-faced young man arose
briskly. His voice sounded husky too.
"rm not exactly a secretary ne
confessed .'In fact, think shail
need a trusty business secretary my
self. Curley might be educated along
that line while he is finding out what
he is going to do with his music. He
could begin by making himself useful
here right now. I'll speak to the house
keeper about his ROOM"
You are sure" Angela asked breath
lessly, "that Mr.. Rider will be agree
able?''
II know him WELL" the young man