Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-12-11

ed BY the residents theresbouM with
something like cordially. His little
ranch, as he liked to call it, was abou
five miles away from the Pompon resi-
dence, and on this COCA sion he had gal
loped across the prairie and ridden d
rectly into what would have been the
frort yard of that family, had there been
any fences around the place.
There was something in his face that
betokened unusual earnestness, ane
when he vaulted out OF the saddle and
hat in hand, inquired Of the young lady
in genuine blue gabrielle, on the gal.
lery, if her brother was at home, he sur
prised that black eyed demoiselle by hlf
manner.
She happened to be the only person at
home, for her widowed mother had that
day ridden to Grand Coteau to
confession, and the brother YVES out look
ing after stray yearling. Aosine Pom
pun was the elder of two sisters. The
younger, Seraphine, had some two years
before left the parental home with gal
lant young husband, and was now COM
fortably settled over at Coulee Croche.
TIE marriage of the more youthful Sis
ter had been q severe blow to Alos-
inc, for she had always been led to be-
ieve that srlitors were bound to take the
older daughter first. The bridal party,
mounted on their little Creole tackles,
and followed by wagon OF household
goods, had hardly disappeared behind q
knoll in the prairie then she burst into a
passion of tears, and refused to be COM
forted. From that day she formed
q resolution that if she died an
old maid 1T would not be hex
fault, but her endeavors to at
tract many of the fastidious young men,
and her undisguised efforts to capture a
gallant were, perhaps, too much for the
gay beaux of the prairie. Be this as it
may, few ever stopped at tie house
longer than time enough to water their
horses or take cup of coffee, except,
perhaps, Aleck Harris. He had been
over often, and had spent whole after
moons with her brother talking over
stock matters and the improvement of
grasses. .-
Alosine had nurtured warm senti
ment for the young man, and when he
was in the house invariably managed to
be in the same room. She thought she
saw signs of reciprocated feeling fire.
quently, and now that he had come over
and at time when she was alone she
was sure there was but one object to his
On bis approach she had dart
ed into her room, given hurried twist
to her back hair and encircled her neck
with flaming red ribbon, SO that when
he reached the steps she looked ct her
best.
"Boucta is not here, is he?" asked the
bold rider as he took his seat.
"Non; hee go long time, yes. An ow
70 doc, 'Sieur Hareese? Hi opes 20
weel," and Alosine preffered him glass
Of water.
"Oh, I'm very well, mamselle," and
be swallowed the water as only thirsty
man can. "Pm very sorry Boucta is
gone for I came over here on very i'm
oortant business. The truth is, I want
I'd to ask hun a question in which you
yourself are somewhat Interested"
The sunlight danced on the prairie |
wells. The blossoms Of the wild indigo |
md the tall stems of the bushes in the |
water hole away off beyond the corn
rib seemed to tremble with delight.
aoseste hues tinted the cumulous clouds
nd the plaintive whistle of the "killdee"
became the voluptuous notes
f the mocking bird. Alosine had been
ooking forward to this moment for the
asst twenty years, and now it had come.
Nh! how noble that Misieu Hareese
ooked now. Such strength, such dash,
UGH manly beauty. Her heart almost
hoked her. Its pulsations were rapid
nd strong.
81 ham ware sorree dat he ham gone,
5ieur Hareese," she was just able to say.
Eet was SO good OBJ 20 TO to come"
"Oh, don't mention that, mamselle.
have been thinking over this matter
or a long time, aud I must confess that
was little afraid of speaking to you
bout it. thought I would see Boucta
rst."
As Alosine looked at Aleck Harris now
le tears welled up into her eyes. She
ad seen his comfortable house on the
rairie and had very fair idea of his
erd. Even while he was talking she
,uld fancy herself seated in the big
'cking chair on the gallery of the Har-
8 home, dressed in pink and white cal
o, with breastpin Of imposing size
listening in her bosom. She had long
for these things all her Life.
"Yeesl 'Sieur Hareese, my brudder he
are nice to me all de time, han ee kno
hat ee like hi like" Then she thought
at if 'Sieur Hareese waited. for her
other day would be lost, and in such I
fairs day means an eternity. So,
,lding her sunbonnet before her face,
st low enough to permit her big black
res to peer over the edge, she said:
,pose mi brudder no come teel dee eeb-
ing, weel 20 tax seat han wait TO 'im?"
81 can't wait. You see I've got to de-
De to-day"