Daily Yellowstone journal., 1886-08-25

wandering aimlessly around Europe ten
years later that Lancelot made up his
mind to return to America, and to visii
the home of his fathers. The resolu-
ton once taken was acted upon with
almost feverish zeal. Now that
he had again shaken Halls hand. had sat
isfied himself that the slim lad of 10 was
still somewhere lurking behind the veil
of adipose matter enshrouding the man
of 80, Barksdale breathed long sigh Of
relief. As for the squire, he was one OF
those guileless natures content to take
things as they find him. Barksdale's for
eign airs excited in him wonder not un-
mixed with amusement. He fell to spec
ulating over what the women would say
to the coming of this importation of fas-
tidious elegance into their impoverished
household. In old times Cherrycote had
never spsculated; secure in homely
plenty, it had simply flung wide open its
doors and hidden the stranger in.
Suppose we walk the rest of the way
Barksdale said, springing with alacrity
from his mouse-trap of an equipage. i
have so much to say to you, Hal, don't
know where to begin"
Il don't walk much nowadays; but
still said the squire, getting down in
rather breathless fashion, and leading
the mule, followed by Poss and his spav-
ined steed. along road carpeted with
pine tags and bordered with wild honey
suckles.
Il haven't asked you about your wife,
Lancelot said, when it appeared that the
question could no longer in common
courtesy be deferred.
kitty: Why, she's splendid" said
the squire. heartily. ~And if you'll be-
lieve me. Lance. I've six young ones, all
girls. The old house is as full as ever,
but you'll find things down at the heel,
! reckon. The same story everywhere
hereabout: no money, poor labor. no re-
pairs; the women struggling with inefh-
cient servants, worn-out furniture, worn
out clothes. But Kitty's temper don't
wear out, thank God! You've not for
gotten what splendid girl she was,
Lancer"
Il have not forgotten her in the least, :"
his brother answered, in tone of slight
restraint.
~You must have been surprised TO hear
I married her. When you left, was
far gone in the direction of Polly Rivers,
Of Rivers hall, you remember. Polly
played he devil with me; was engaged
10 another fellow all the while she wore
my ring. saw her last year at the Old
Sweet, and. by George, Lance, she's as
big round as barrel, and has three
chins. Kitty, now, is slight, and has
kept her figure wonderfully. / didn't
lose much time in counting her after
Polly bounced me, did /? She was al
ways the jolliest little thing, was Kitty
Lancelot thought of the time when he
had last seen Kitty Morris, then youth
full cousin of Mrs. Barksdale's, on a sum-
mer visit to Cherrycote. She was stand.
ing in the deep grass of the old orchard,
under the cherry blossoms. in the spring OF
81. She was a mere slip of a girl then, with
large, dark eyes, and a weight Of dusky
hair upon her small, proud head. He
remembered the gown she wore, a sort
of full-bodied, thin white stuff, with q
sash OF crimson, and the trick she had
OF interlacing her small, brown south
ern fingers when she talked.
@Never! never!" she had cried out, in
an impetuous treble. the sound OF which
still echoed In his ears. aWhat I nrom.
lsed was not to an enemy OF my coun'
try. 1 would rather die than marry
you.
she had faced him bravely, defiantly,
two red spots flaming In her ordinarily
clear, pale cheeks, but there was trem-
Die IN her voice as II she would have been
going to cry instead OF speaking.
mus they mad parted, and now Lance
LOT was again TO meet her as the wife OF
his half brother the mother oil Halls six
girls FOR moment ne feit ike turn
ing back upon the threshold OF his
visit, but after poor little vaga.
bond Poss had been sent to the
servants quarters in quest of refresh
ment for man and beast, the two walk
ers struck into well-remembered path
across the orchard leading to the house.
The cherry blossoms were again in
bloom, and there, under green arcade
OF snow-laden boughs, was seen a merry
group OF ladies and children picking vic.
lets in the grass.
Lancelot caught one glimpse of Kitty,
recognizing her instantly. From the
girl OF IL she had expanded into splen-