Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-05-22


she'd snap at the chance, any mint
But her story had not gained much Gre
dence, for Kate had numerous beaux
such as they were, and no one else hao
observed that he paid more attention to
her than to any Of the other pretty girls
To be sure, Mrs. Wyndam thought she
had noticed some signs of preference fol
Kate on Charley's part; but Mrs. Wyn-
dam had ways imagining something
that wasn't true, as ner neighbors said,
and what she thought did not usually
add much weight to any current report
However as the time wore on, these
''signs" became more apparent, and the
anxiety to learn just how matters stood
between the two became almost epidemic
Every inhabitant of mature years had
his or her private reason for wishing to
know. Parents with eligible children
considered possible future alliances with
the Brouse or Murrey family; young Ia
dies alternately hoped and sighed, and
their brothers mentally vowed to snake
things warm" for Charley Brouse.
At this juncture in affairs, which
threatened to become serious, Sabbath
school picnic, the only public amusement
the church society ever INDUCED in, and
to which even the store sent its quota of
delegates, was held in the forest skirting
the bank of the little lake. It was the
event of the season instituted each year
solely for the children's benefit; and, to
the credit of the elders be it confessed,
this holiday contributed not little to
their enjoyment the keenest OBJ
server of face would have failed to delect
shade of any self-sacriice on the
smiling countenance of the old partici-
pants. This was the time for mutual
confidence and rugged tillers of the soil
discoursed amicably of the stock and
crops, while buxom housewives rehearsed
the numberless domestic details that
made up the sum of life in their little
world. Then the lake offered its placid
surface to those who cared to risk their
lives in the few weather beaten boats
drawn high upon the bench; and the
''forest primeval'' held many a sylvan
retreat for rustic lovers and places of
concealment for the boys and girls who
scampered among it's shadows in the
game of ''hide- and-seek;;" and it was
amid this scene. end while deep in the
mysteries of this scene, and while deep
in the mysteries of this game, that little
Ada Billings, by lucky chance, was
able to throw more light on the subject
engrossing the public mind than the
ablest of Clayford's gossip-monger shad
done.
Some spiteful women, who were not
warmly attached to Ada's mother, said,
afterward, that Ada had followed Charley
and Kate in their ramble to spy upon
them, and that her mother had ''set her
up to it," but others declared it was pure
accident, for their children were playing
with her all the time. For a few days
this contested point absorbed the public
mind and tongue almost to the exclusion
of the discovery made, and the war of
words ran high. On good authority it
is safe the child was innocent of inten-
tional spying, and only in the zest of
animal spirits had ran away from her
comrades, thinking they would hunt for
her, and SO stumbled upon a scene that
caused her little heart to beat fast with
new sensation, and her eyes to open
wide like two big, blue fringed gentians.
IN this state of open-mouth wonderment
she stood an instant, and then turned and
ran as swiftly as her little feet could car
ry her straight to her mother, who was
sitting in circle of Clayford's best poo
pie. Flushed, fearful and dripph 6 with
perspiration the flung herself, face down.
ward, int her mothers lap.
"Why Ada. what ais the child p ex-
claimed Mrs. Billings, giving her vigor-
GUS shake. But Ada only buried her face
deeper and did not answer.
"Perhaps she's had fall out with one
of the boys" suggested Mrs. Ross, good
"Or tore her gown, more like" said
another.
"Ada, sit right up and tell me what's
the matter. this instant" commanded
Mrs. Billings, half impatiently, yet with
some concern in her voice.
Thus adjured Ada slowly raised her
self, and still keeping her face hidden by
her hands, said between her sobs:
"I-saw-the-sup erintendent-kiss-
Observation-Disclosures"
The circle looked aghast.
"Where? Wnen?" gasped Mrs.
Billings excitedly.
"Over there in the woods. I didn't
mean to see it" faltered the child.
1t was thrilling moment for Mrs.
Billings. The knowledge all Clayford
was almost dying of curiosity to learn
ay right here in her hands. She deter |
mined to make the most of her oppor-
unity.
"Ada," she solemnly commded, '.jest
you 20 right on and tell us all about
his don't you skip a word" holding
up one finger threateningly.
With dropping head and scarlet
cheeks, the abashed child continued: II
vas runnin' along on the sand, and was
est stoppin' to turn around an 60 back,
when heard somethin', an looked up
he bank an I saw the Superintendent
md Kate Murrey gettin' up from a seat;
IN his arm around her, an'-an' he
Kissed her-an'-an' Rugged her. an be
Kept his arm round her, an they came
his way, an run back-that's all"
you're sure that's all?" urged Mrs
Billings, anxiously.
"Yes, I am" replied Ada, vehement
y; from the folds of her mothers dress.
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