Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-03-16


ever had a more loving child. 1t is be-
cause / prize he so much that / dread
everything VIII oh might cause her the
least unhappiness.
You say that as sadly as IL you knew
OF something which was likely to do it
Is there anything?'
Two figures crossed the lawn, and as
his eyes rested upon them the Colonel
smiled. Then he rose and went TO the
window. to get another glimpse of his
daughter and Maurice.
81 told you she is not we'll" he said,
turning to his friend, land to-day l
have become satisfied that it is lot mere
fancy on my part. i have watched her
closely during the last two years. and
although she has shown herself most
eager to do everything that would make
me happy, and has appeared 10 be hap
py and contented herself. there have
been times when the idea has been
Tor ed upon me that there is something
on her mind about which she will not
speak TO me-"
Have on told her sop
mot yet" he replied. as if speak
ing to himself. while he slowly paced
the for. head bowed and hands clasped
behind him. What occurred to me is
this that in striving to do what l be-
lieve to be best for her, have done her
an injury in making the change in her
lite 80 sudden and complete -
1.-The change was necessary, and YOU
have not deprived her of any friends"
"No, have not deprived her of her
friends. but have separated her from
them"
- R,,t only, For , .;r,o o,J IL -
that you would not put any needless re-
striction upon her seeing them"
Eyes, any of the friends know; but
there may be somebody about whom l
know nothing yet, and whose introduce
ton she may fear would not be pleas
ing to me. Do YOU understands
Mr.. Calthorpe did understand, and
was startled into a new ira of refiec-
on. Deeply as he had considered the
probabilities OF the young heireSs being
speedily captured by some knight O.
more daring heart than his son, it had
never be ore occurred to him that she
might be already 4 captive. Now that
the idea was suggested, it appeared to
him only too rrobable itwoud account,
as nothing else in her early training
would, Tor the ease with which she bore
and repealed the assaults OF many wooers.
"What has made you tn NIX OF this?"
Her vehemencc in assuring me to-
day that she would never marry; her
strange fits of depression. followed by
wild moods of excitement. such as she
was in this even ng You thought her
. mirth was the natural result OF good
health and easy mind. To me it was
all forced-so plainly forced that am
surprised you did not observe it."
- i thought we formed very pleas
ant family party, and was delighted
with her humorous way of challenging
Maurice to dare the evening dews by
accom- ranying her to the bungalow in
= arch of something she had left there.
i can not imagine what reason she
could have for attempting to deceive
you regarding her state OF health or
mind"
because you do not feel rs / do
what YOU said yourself just now-that
she j. devoted TO me. She is SO glad to be
with me. she thinks that have done so
much for her, and that there has been
80 much sorrow in my life already, that
she must sacrifice every inclination of
her own il it should cause me the least
uneasiness. Poor child, it was her
mother way, md unfortunately L did
not understand it ntil too late"
"But you NAV be mistaken" sug-
geste Mr.. Calthorpe, feebly. for he
could not find much assurance in the
suggestion himself
''Po sibly-l hope so; but / am dis
turbed by old memories. Every look
and every laugh or smile makes me
ink of her mo her on the last day we
were together. She was like what
Mabel was tonight. perfectly free from
care apparently. / was blindiy happy,
and had no suspicion that she was max
ing it merry day because it was to
our last Cne together. 80 it pro ed;
but if she had lived! Well, there is no
use specializing upon what might have
been. except when it helps us to direct
what m " be-"
elf it should happen that yo1r sur
mise is correct, and that Mabel has a
lover of whom she thinks YOU would
not approve, what will you do?"
Mr. Calthorpe put the cues ion eau
tiously; but Notwithstanding his own
selfish interest in the answer there was
a kindly ellen ent o. interest on his
friends &C cunt also.
Try to find out what the man was,
and, If he were an honest fellow, give
her TO him with my blessing"
'What! without consideration as to
his acknowledgements
Without considering ANYTHING be-
yond the question whether or not he
would make her happy"
"But. my dear Cuthbert. this would not
be Just even TO her. She does not"
afrhnr.1 ~ .re. a.
smiling at his friend look Of astonish-
ment and alarm: IL know all the wise
counsel you would give me, and thank
you for it the more heartily that il is
still unspoken. / shall use all neces-
sary prudent to secure nv obie THAT
is, shall be careful that she does not
fall into the hands o. n scamp. But |
must not forget that before my return
10 England she had time TO form ties
which may he more tender even than
those which binl her to- me. / own n
weaS sense OF regret in thinking that it
can be SO. but must teach myself to
think of it a one OF The unav oidable re-
suits OF the unfortunate events which
kept us so long apart, and to become
res gned 10 IT, | should like TO hold the
hrst place in her heart, but that is i'm
possible. "
Still. her duty to you will enable her
to feel that whatever you decide is for
her benefit"
Il shall accept nothing from her
sense of duty" This was said very
gu city, ut very firmly. The man
seemed to be calmly recognizing the
inc itab'e fact that there was something
he longed for aud could never hope to
possess what l may reiI est her 10
DO she must consent to do because she