Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-08-29

dren for day or two 1t he could cOnscl
entiously telegraph "All's well"
Two or three hours later Mrs. Fortes
cue and the two children drove otto tn,
depot, waving q good-by to "Poor Papa,
who stood at his window, the red fan
mel still about his throat. DR.. Horton
had telegraphed to two or three Of Ned
chums, and was to make his next cal
about dinner time, when they hoped tn
gentleman in question would have arrlv
ed. Meanwhile the cook and waiter
were quite relieved az to masters throa
by the hearty lunch he ordered and en-
joyed.
It CHANGED that all three of the chumi
were able to accept the invitation. JACK
Downing never could resist the country
in such weather, and felt he could com.
bine business with pleasure, for Fortescue
had told him of the scenery about his
place, and he was sure of making some
sketches. Tom Bascomb was medical
student, one who often spent his Sundays
at the Hennery las the Fortescues called
their place. and Mr.. Driscombe, hard.
working man of business, was fairly
showed off by his wife, who knew how
much the poor man needed breath OF
real country air.
"I'm on the sick list" explained their
hose, Nothing worth mentionig except
that it gave me chance ola holiday and
as my wife is off with the children !
thought l would enjoy keeping bachelors
hall for few days."
And they did enjoy it! Jack sketched,
talked and smoked Tom refused to think
of medicine or disease, kept them all
laughing, and amused himself at the
piano, while "dear old Driscomb," as Ned
called his friend, who was a few, and
seemed ten, years older than Ned rested
body, soul and spirit, enjoying the good
cooking, the clear air, the scenery, the
young mans jollity and his wife's letters,
which arrived twice day.
Throat doing splendidly," was the
telegram that relieved Annie Fortescue
on the evening of her arrival. Aunt
Maria was delighted to see the children.
and made 80 mnch of Annie herself that
the little woman decided not to 90 the
next morning ifthe news was good.
"Your husband almost well-no neAd
of nursing" was the telegram received
at 10 o'clock, and then all insisted that
since she had come she might as we'll
stay.
"Just telegraph to Ned that you'll stay
a week now you have left home, "coaxed
her aunt. "You are such slave to your
house, husband and children that l be-
gan to despair of a visit. said to Thorn
as only the other day: 'Annie'll be sure
to be house cleaning if this warm spell
holds good'."
"Why, queerly enough, I had begun"
said Annie. my bed was down; Ned al
ways knows I mean business when
unscrew that great bed of ours. HOY
the dear old fellow hates house cleaning
No, l can't promise week, but I'll stay
on from day to day. Ned can't do with
out me-"
If she could have but seen Ned at that
moment He was trying his hand at a
water cooler under Jacks tuition, while
Tom told story after story that made
Ned laugh 80 heartily he could not keep
his hand steady. Then followed song,
Ned singing the solo, and all joining in
the chorus-singing is 80 good for q
sore throat.
The weather grew warmer each day.
Armies housewifely instincts could not
resist such an opportunity. Ned was,
by his own account, quite well; the
children could STAY at Aunt Maria's.
What splendid chance to do the clean
ing!
Il never knew such q succession of
spring days. Tho weather is heavenly.
1t is inspiring. Why, before the rest of
you thought of getting out of your beds
Ned and I took stroll, and see these
and Jack showed all of his
studies.
"Do you know, q woman only thinks
Of" Ned began: but he was interrupt
ed; he never finished the sentence, for
figure stood in the doorway; and, as all
four gentlemen turned, Annie looked
from one to the other, in very evident
and not with evident de-
light. Any woman who enjoys house
keeping more than homemaking can en-
ter into her feelings.
Never had the sitting room looked 80
homelike; but Annie only saw the Dor
der.
A box of water-colors here, the port
folio of sketches there; Q branch OF cat
kins was pinned above q picture, and in
swo saucers Mr.. Driscombe had started
some serns.
"Messrs." one and all, housewifely
Annie called them; yet as she looked |
,he conld not be blind to the fact that |
Ned was brighter and happier than he |
had seemed for q year past. Even his
of her sudden appearance |
lid not bring back the clouded, repress-
ID expression 90 familiar to his wife:
Ior Ned knew that, though the woman
he had chosen as his wife was q trifie |
90 much devoted to mere externals, she |
vas true lady, and would not be rude |
20 any guest, no matter how unwel.
,ome.
In far less time than It has taken to |
write this Annie recovered herselfshook |
hands with the two gentlemen she was
with, and was introduced to
lack Downing, of whom she had often
heard. Nothing was said of the throat,
,ut after priuate interview with Mary
he waitress, Annie, who was no fool
md quick enough to learn lessor, made
resolution. She pressed her husbands
riends to stay low days longer, watered
he ferns, hunted up few more catkins,
md whom she had Ned to herself said.
7ery demurely; "You needn't play nick
mother spring day. I'll wait until