Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1882-05-18

fore, were then redirected for Washing
ton. and after delicious little wedding
breakfast-all by ourselves-we left for
that city,
In the meantime there was trouble
enough in Milford. Our flight was not
discovered till near eight O'Clock. and
then Uncle Miles sent word at once to
Stephen Barker, who secluded himself
for that day entirely. My aunt and
cousins chagrin and disappointment
were very great; in fact, when | consid-
cred the amount of coincidence and Cos
sip they would have 10 endure. ! felt
that for all the Sights and scorns of my
unloved girlhood could cry quits. And
had got my fortune also, and Norman
and l were so completely happy We
had not care, for Stephen had given
him $500 bill and months holiday,
and told It's TO get all the pleasure we
could out of it.
During that month things settled down
little. | did not expect to be forgiven
all at once. and was not; but then l
was in position not TO worry particular
" about it, We returned very quietly.
after darl, one night, very much like
two children who have played truant all
day. and creep home at night-fall with
rs little ostentation as possible.
But at Stamford Hall everything had
been prepared for my comfort. The
fires We're blazing, the gas lighted, and
an excellent supper waiting. The next
morning Norman went back 10 his desk.
and Stephen took no more notice OF his
return than if he had never left it. People
who had been specializing about his
position knew in five minutes that there
would be no change. And every one
took his tone from Stephen. We were
treated very much like two children
who had been forgiven. and whose fault
was not to be thrown up to them
That was the way the men took it.
and Norman pretended to be satisfied.
The women acted with a great deal more
intelligence. They all came to see me,
and though l I'D not give them all
credit for the kindest of motives, made
them all welcome. told them about
my wedding trip, and showed them my
new things, and | dare say the men
talked everything over with them after
ward.
But what most puzzled everybody was
that Stephen Barrier came so often to
see us, and was so Iiendly with Nor
man. Some tho2ght it very mean-spir-
tied in him. and others remembered
that when he was very young he had
loved my mother dearly. Even those
who spoke kind of him did not give
HIN credit for h'H the noble unseltish-
ness he had shown; for he would not
let me tell any one that it was he HIM
self who had planned everything about
my property and my wedding.
Just let them say you Tilted me.
Frances, if they please to do so. We
secret until Uncle Miles comes round"
Aunt and uncle both came round
sooner than we expected. When it was
known that Stephen spent so much of
his time with us, Aunt Miles considered
the advantages Of having her daugh-
tiers brought faIniiiarly in contact with
him. and for their sakes she came to
see me and give me the kiss of recon-
Citation.
But as far as catching Stephens heart
sin the rebound" was concerned, she
was Just little too late. Norman's
sister. who was teacher in one of the
public schools of New York, came to
spend her vacation with us, and Stephen
fell in love with her in a way which
convinced me that his love for Frances
Halliday had only been the show of the
love he had for her mother. Why, Nor
man himself never behaved more fool
ishly about me than Stephen about this
little plain Ruth Strong; for she is
plain-every one must allow that
And the preparations that are going
on for the marriage quite amuse me.
who might have been the bankers wife
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