Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1883-07-05

l
THAT seat is suspended between the
heavens and the earth, like Moham-
med's coffin, mamma" she jested. by
way of cloaking her untimely mirth.
Zone ought to be shot into it out
of catapult.
To aid the young lady in mounting,
Harvey silently extended hand, whose
exceeding smuttiness was intensified by
a seal ring that glittered upon the little
finger. Miss Lila glanced curiously at
the fine cameo with its quaint setting.
Who was this anomalous being who
sported costly ornaments and quoted
from the classics? And where, where
had she seen that peculiar cameo be.
fore, or one just like it? All! now she
recollected: Tom had worn it home
last vacation, when he and his chum
had exchanged rings. But how had
this soap-man become possessed Of II?
Could it be that he and Harvey Vance
were identicaf? Tom had said that
Harvey was spending the summer in
the neighborhood. This must be he.
Yes, she was sure of it.
Obedient to the young mans will, that
unaccountable pony darted away on the
| wings of the wind. Close behind, head
down, tail up, followed old Dobbin in a
heavy canter which seemed to shake the
| very leaves on the trees. Charged upon
by the empty soap barrel, Miss Lila
slippedto the other side of the seat, and
chung to the ash-b;n. A mile was
passed, two miles. The gable-roofed
Eyre loomed in the distance. On sped
the pony; on Numbered old Dobbin; on
swOoped the storm cloud; A dozen
guests crowded out upon the hotel
piazza to witness the exciting race.
'.How white Mrs Lavender looks!'
cried one. "Where did she pick up the
fantastic driver?'' 49,.
''Is that Miss Lila in the cart?' ex-
claimed the gentleman addressed.
''Well, she's a girl of mettle! Ha.
here comes the rain!''
AS the phaeton dashed up he rushed
out with an open umbrella to escort
Mrs. Lavender into the house. In
mounting the steps she turned toward
Harvey.
.".You have done US great service,
sir. l assure you we are grateful. My
daughter will see that you are recon-.
pensed for your time and trouble
1.-The dickens she will!'' thought the
deacon's indignant substitute.
Standing beneath the dripping caves,
with rivulets of I've coursing down his
cheeks, he assisted the moist young
lady to alight. Il am-we are deeply
indebted to yOu," she stammered, blush
ingly. "My mother"
HAS taken no cold, trust" said
he, loftily. "Good afternoon"
And horse, cart and driver disap-
peared kitchenward.
In putting the cart to rights that
evening, Harvey discovered grimy OBJ
ject caught between the seat and the
ash-bin. 1t proved to be lady's peck
et-handkerchief, bearing in one corner
the name of Lila Lavender" He
handed it to his aunt for bleaching pur-
poses, and received in return letter
from Tom.
"My mother and sister have perched
at the Eyrie, on Emden Hill,'. it ran.
my mother is getting up from fever,
and is bound to get as high as she can.
If you're anywhere near their secluded
nest, do peep in upon them. They'll
be delighted to make your acquaint-
ance."
81 believe I'll take that handkerchief
to Miss Lavender tomorrow, auntie,
and have it off my mind,'' remarked
Harvey carelessly, as he folded the
letter.
"Well-or you might send it by the
stage" But Harvey was deaf to the
suggestion.
The next evening, sfaultlessly attired,
and minus spectacles, he presented him.
self at the Eyre, and was cordially well
coined by both Mrs. Caye41der and her
daughter. Convinced that he was not
recognized as squire Of the soap cart, he
saw no necessity for proclaiming him
self such. In making his first call why
should he introduce himself as clown?
you've made quite visit" was his
aunt's salutation when Harvey entered
the sitting-room. "Was the girl glad
to get her handkerchief
ITO tell the truth, auntie, [ didn't
give it to her,
''Humph! Strange how q handsome
young woman will weaken a chaps
memory" observed the deacon, slyly,
as his wife bandaged the offending
ankle. Il don't see but Harvey il have
to call again.
He did call again and again, and
again. Indeed, his rides to the Eyrie
grew so frequent that his uncle one day
teasingly counseled him to buy second
saddle-horse.
''Or get carriage that will hold
two," amended his aunt. At which the
youth flushed guilty, confirming Mrs.
Clutter in her private opinion that he
was every far gone -
He went further vet that evening
even to the length of proposing to Miss
Lila.
The little coquette only laughed, and
babe him not to be absurd.
Absurd? He would really like to
know what she meant.
Oh, they were both so young.
Harvey looked hurt, and intimated
that he, at least, was nearing the down
hill of life.
And he didn' know her well enough.
The youth eagerly protested that he
knew her well enough to love her.
Besides, I'm not sure but 1 like
another young man better" i
"Oh, if you care for somebody else,
why, then-why, in that case" Har-
vey found the English tongue terribly
intricate, and rose with precipitation.
II met him first, you know" said
Miss Lila, dropping her eyes APOLOGIZE
cally. land l am under. great obliga-
tons to him.
''Oh, it's all right. You're all right,
1 mean; but l think Tom might have
told me.''
Told you what?''
"About this other fellow
There isn't much to tell" said Miss
Lila, demurely. He hasn't come for