Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-07-29

ment;, and felt that his lifelong devo-
ton deserved to be rewarded, made
what he considered a neat. and credit
able proposal, his wrath at her refusal
was not greater than Dolly's at hispre-
sumption.
II didn't need to lead up to it, as if
/ had only known her a month! She's
been fooling me all this timer was
Richards angry comment. as he went
down the steps.
..He thinks because she's engaged
and firts, he can be engaged and tiirt
tool" was Dolly's meditation, mingled
with tears. '.But would take him!
Oh, 1 would be just such fool! and
forgive him = if the whole village
hadn't seen it!' and Dolly wept above
the new mantle-cover, regardless of
decorative art.
Dolly was not one to tell when she
had refused an offer, SO she had no one
to sympathize with her. The friend
ship between her brother Fred and
Richard had been long and mistaken,
and possibly Dolly might have begged
Fred to call him back and Try to clear
him of the charges against him; but
Fred was in Texas, not to be home
for weeks, SO Dolly had her trouble all
to herself and tried to be amiable.
Not SO with Richard. That young
man appeared on the next morning s
train with face SO fOrbidding that
none of "the boys" ventureG 70 sit with
him. A short morning" was all the
greeting he returned to any one, and
he was left to his paper and his
thoughts. Meaning glances and mas
culine chuckles went on about him.
All imagined he had learned what an
amazing amount of work had been ac-
compliShed by the silent gossip, and
they rather unwisely concluded to drop
the subject. for it would have short
Julie had known about the talk. But
Richard had not even heard his name
connected with jules, and was simply
in furious temper over his unexpected
rejection by the only girl he had ever
| loved.
At least two persons in Sunnydale
experienced nothing but clouds and
rain for the next three weeks, no mat
ter what the weather report said. Then
came two letters. One from George
Lane. in Vienna, bitterly reproaching
Julie FARMLAND for her conduct toward
Richard Dale, and offered to release
her from her engagement if she wished.
| The other, from Frederick Firth to
Richard Dale. reproaching him for his
flirting with an engaged girl, and re-
GREETED that he should have lost the
| high sense of honor which had so en-
nobled his boyhood.
The young people of Sunnydale have
| tempers. They do not pine in secret,
or let fog of misunderstanding nour-
ish poisonous vapors. 1t is well known
that thunderstorms clear the air; thus
Richard and Julie presently developed
social thunderstorm which cleared
the atmosphere Of Sunnydale. /.
Julie, with her black eyes flashing
and cheeks abIaze, wrote the follow
F., ing emphatic telegram to George Lane,
| in Vienna: at is all crazy nonsense.
l will investigate and EXPLAIN And
Grandpa FARMLAND speeded it on its
way, wondering much at the ways of
young people.
Richard, grieve to state, swore over
| his friend instructive and admonitory
letter, and then sent this telegram to
Frederick Firth, in Sherman: ''Obliged
for advice. A pack of lies. Will write
tomorrow"
That afternoon Richard Dale and
Julie FARMLAND were seen together
in Richards buggy.
just as Miss Lawndes was SAYING:
''Of course, it's all settled now,h the
Richard helped Julie to alight.
..Miss Lawndes," said Richard, as
that lady hurried to the door, miss
FARMLAND and l are determined to
learn how our names came to be con-
| nected in manner which has caused
us the greatest annoyance. We have
made two calls. and in each we have
been referred to you"
Miss Lawndes looked angry and en-
barrasscd. Il prefer to refer you to
some one else; all the village saw it,
she said, stiffly.
''To whom do you refer us?" asked
Richard, looking very stern.
Mrs. Allan saw it just after did,
ana She fOuiett girls Just before; you
must excuse me- and Miss Lawndes
retreated into the. house, for never,
since she had Fitted on Richards
youthful shirt-wrists, had she seen him
look SO angry.
What in the mischief does she
meant" exclaimed Richard.
''Let us go to- Mrs. Allan" said Julie.
They found Mrs. Allan working at
her fiower-beds. When she realized
the presence of these two in her path
she raised herself ponderously. and
looked at them over her spectacies.
Mrs. Allan" said Richard, ''will
you please tell us what you have ever
seen to make you think there was any
Irritation between Miss FARMLAND and
myself?''
Mrs. Allan looked around for some
support, but finding nothing nearer,
retreated to the doorstep and sat down,