Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1921-01-26
The
testers Cap
BY MYRTLE A. BARTON

Willard BARLEY it was at a lawn par
ty given at the home of his aged I'M
Gle, John Ordway. AS he stood greet
ing the elder ladies who had been in
vited as friends of the owner of Grass
mere, she decided the nephew was
most attractive young man. His rare
grace and courtesy fascinated Mabel.
She was glad she had come; she felt
that she would be glad to come again.
In strong contrast to the smiling.
pleasant junior nephew Of John Ord
way was his cousin, Matthew Dorr,
also on the scene. The latter was
stiff and formal, his voice was stu
died and deliberate, his facial express
sion was sour.
It was to Mabel that Willard came
after he had made everybody agree
able as master of ceremonies. They
had never spoken before except In
casual greeting. Now they were ir-
resistibly drawn, one to the other.
Through one game Of tennis Mabel
felt that she had never had so de-.
lightful a partner. Then Willard was
called to join the group about his
uncle, and he became its life and
center, and then the different sets
broke up into little groups and Mabel
found that her mother, having evil
IDENTIFY formed a prediction in favor
of the long-faced, solemn-eyed Dorr
had him at her table and indicated
that she approved of the guest and
wished Mabel to accept the fact as a
guidance.
Mabel could not help but note the
close attention Willard paid to his
uncle. 1t seemed as though the young
man never lost sight of his relative,
or his moods, or his comfort. When
conversation Jagged with the group
about the old man, Willard Immediate
ly discerned the fact and was on the
spot with some humorous remark that
aroused the coterie from dullness. AS
those present abandoned themselves
to such freedom and enjoyment as
they chose, the younger spirits Of the
party were led into riot of dancing
and athletic games by Willard who
seemed bubbling over with fun and
frolic. He kept his uncle good-natur-
ed and laughing most of the time
with quip and caper; he gave some
extravagant character sketches that
he had seen on the stage. He en-
gagged in ludicrous mock boxing
match with a chum, and Mrs. Blake
looked severe and censorious, and
Dorr wore a disdainful sneer on his
lip. Mabel, who from her strict bring
ing up had q due sense Of decorum
and the proprieties, was somewhat
abashed as the excellence Of her
whilom hero seemed to center espe.
cially in wild, unrestrained frolic.
IF Willard had TESTERS cap, 1t
would fifty crown the OCCASION" re-
marked Dorr with Ill concealed
malice. II don't see how uncle
stands him, for he needs quiet and
repose rather than hilarious excite
ment. Willard seems to have some
motive In keeping uncle on high
strain that cannot but have a re-
action"
"What does he mean, mamma2" in.
CURED Mabel, later.
"'Well, dear, as understand 1t, Mr..
Dorr Is the son of favOrite sister
Of our host. It looks as though VII.
lard was trying to crowd himself in
to the good graces of the rich old
man with his tomfoolery, thinking to
win his appreciation by amusing him.
I prefer the dignified character Of
Mr.. Dorr myself" and when they de-
parted for home later she severely
scolded Mabel for having taken q
stroll with Willard.
All the same Mabel thought fondly
Of the apparently gay and thought
less young man, and the sentiment
grew as through two summer months
a round Of community social func-
lions brought them constantly together.
1t caused Mabel some wonder to I'M
derstand why Mr.. Ordway was also
always guest and why Willard
seemed to cater specially to his moods.
Each time the latter came into evil
dence me seemed stronger, fuddier
and happier. A transformation phys
ically and mentally appeared to be
going on. Dorr had courted Mabel
industriously, but she had given him
no encouragement. One day she came
home to tell the reason why.
Mamma" she said with palpable
timidity, but with happy ring to
her tones, BARLEY and I have be-
come engaged"
Mrs. Blake stormed and threatened.
A pauper without prospects! An idle,
Needless jesterl while Mr.. Dorr, the
model, was ready to wed her at any
time. In forty-eight hours, however,
developments startled Mabel and
abashed the ambitious mother. Dorr
despairing Of the demise of his uncle,
involved in secret extravaganza. forg-
ed his name.
It was just a week after that when
Mabel received most unexpected
caller-John Ordway. ..
"My DEAR" he said, II have come to
congratulate and bless you. find
that young scapegrace relative Of
mine, BARLEY, is humbug, and l
thought 1 ought to enlighten you. He
and my doctor got up the precious
scheme of having him play the come
dian and joker to rouse me out
OF a hypochondriacal tendency that
menaced my health. He has succeed
ed, but at the cost of being considered
an impractical, empty-brained enter
tainer. The best evidence that he has
balance and sense. however, is that
Lo hoe caIoctad the InaSt CHI rmin1 girl