Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1921-07-27
His Desperate
Hour
BY BENTLY PHILLIPS
q. 1920, western Newspaper Unlon.o

Nathan sat at the window watching
for Millicent to go by. This for many
years had been one Of the happy mo-
ments of his day. Long and faithfully
4 had Nathan loved Millicent though he
! had never dared to tell her so. For
1 tune seemed to have parted them re-
lentlessly and the patient man grieved
that he could see no future of prom
Use. Millicent from the days of her
| girlhood had known every advantage
that successful village banker could
| give his daughter, while Nathan after
earning his way through school had
fallen, as 1t were, into the harness Of
Ills invalided father, caring for the
small and never prosperous farm that
! was their home.
| Any opportunity of advancement
| which he might have had was blocked
| by present need. No person could be
hGed or persuaded to look after the
exacting old cripple. and Nathan had
ever been kind. So resignedly, he took
up his burden, burying under plodding
work his hearts eager desire. The
few brief visits which he allowed him
self at Millicent's home were joy spots
in his life to be lived over again in
memory during lonely hours In the
house on the hill. 1t was long since
Millicent's father had died leaving her
quite alone and Nathan wondered with
a sweet hope stirring his heart why
she had not married.
Miss Millicent" the young girls
now called her.
She was beloved of them all. Ma
than painted the farmhouse shining
white. In summer roses clambered
over its neat door posts and from
year to year the little place grew more
inviting under his care. When his IA
Their was sick Millicent would come up
the hill to call.
Nathan was not himself that sum-
mer. Discouragement is not good
tonic, and when he visited the old vii
lage practitioner he was not surprised
to learn the truth. His heart showed
disturbing symptoms.
doctor said to him.
Nathan sighed as he went his home
ward way. So this was to be the end
Of his future dreaming. All at once he
felt the need Of sympathy and comfort.
Nathan turned in at Millicent's gate
way.
So entering the room he told his
trouble abruptly, relentlessly watching
her face the while.
Il came tonight, he said, from Doc
tor Linley's. ] have heart trouble,
Millicent; pretty badly the doctor
seems to think" I
Nathan laughed shortly.
Reckon I'll 60 like Dam" he said.
Millicent grew white. For moment
she had difficulty In speaking. "Oh,
Natr' she said then, II don't believe
it's as bad as that. Doctor Linley il
old you know, and has old ideas. Doc
tor Benton Is coming from the city to-
morrow to see me. Promise Nat that
you will come over while ne is here"
Nathan turned away. He had heard
Of this city doctors recent visits to
Millicent's home. That fact lately had T
added much to his unhappiness.
"Gpod night" he said sadly and was
gone. The voice OF the invalid father
called Afillicent next morning over the
phone.
Nathan is sick" said the frightened
old man, "and thought maybe you
would come and help us"
Miss Millicents car made the hill
quickly. Nathan was very sick indeed.
she could see that. His breath came
short and painfully. with an effort he
Deckoned her to his side. Constraint
and humility forgotten in his des-
oerate honr. Nathan 0rasnad the