Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-10-09

Jack gave her the water, tenderly rais-
ing her head with his arm under the pill
low, that she might drink more easily.
As ha replaced the glass upon the table
she softly clasped his left hand in her
fingers, and so holding it fell asleep.
In the meantime the boys had gone q
good distance on their way toward In
dian Ford. Fred drove Dobbin, the
speckled horse, which could do no more
than draw the wagon containing the
portables, owing to his extreme age and
equal reluctance. After they had passed
Squire Elton's rabbit scampered across
the road, and all except Fred started of
in hot pursuit. he, in charge of the
wagon, looked after them wistfully, but
knowing that he could not relinquish his
post drove on reaching the ford little
before them. In q short time they came
rushing up out of breath, flineing them
selves on the grass, in the shade, wiping
their moist foreheads and tanning their
flushed faces with their hats. It was q
pleasant spot where they had chosen to
picnic. The ground sloped down to the
psbbly margin Of the river, shaded by
sycamores, and the opposite bank rose
sheer and straight, rocky wall in which
sand martins had built their nests
around which they were perpetually how
ering and twittering. Long ferns trailed
across the crevices, and hundred tiny
streams of ice cold water trickled down
over the emerald MOSES. The air was
fragrant with the odor of mint, and of
growing things that flourish in damp
and shady places. It was as solitary as
though it were miles from civilization,
and for this reason ali the more delight
full to the boys.
"Why, where's Jack ?" suddenly asked
one of the Deans, raising himself on bis
elbow and looking about.
II thought he was with you," said
Fred, also somewhat surprised.
"And we thought he had overtaken
you, and come on with the wagon.
.'Oh, he's found a lame dog or lost
cat on the way" said Tom, who lay
lazily tossing bis heel, with his hat drawn
down over his eyes to shield them from
the reflection of the light from the water,
meditatively chewing grass-blade as he
spoke. "And, BESIDES" he added, "ke's
always behind time. He'll be here-we
needn't wait" So, after little wonder
ing and impotence, they set themselves
to work to get as much as possible out of
the afternoon. Time passed rapidly, so
absorbing were their occupations-there
were 80 many of them struggling off in
groups of twos and threes, each absorbed
in amusing himself, 30 that the sun was
low in the west before they realized that
it was late and that Jack had not yet
made his appearance. They came back
to the wagon at Fred's shrill halloo, all
now seriously concerned.
SWELL" said Fred, philoscphically, as
he set out the eatables, ''it isn't worth
while to go back now and look for him.
Well have lunch and start home. Moth
ing could have happened, or somebody
would have come for us. Father knows
where we are" The boys accepted this
explanation with perfect willingness
and in doing justice to the lunch con-
soled themselves for Jacks failure to ar.
rive.
Jack, all this time, was at home sit
ting q prisoner, in the darkened room, by
his mothers bedside. She still chung tc
his hand, which he could not release,
and her slumber grew more and more
profound. This was the precious SLEEP
upon which her restoration to health de
pended, and Jack listened to the soft
regular breathing, not daring to move.
The house was very quiet. The slow
footsteps of passersby echoed distinctly
in the still heat. The cicada shrilled II
the locust trees along the sidewalk. The
town clock struck two, three and ther
four. His limbs, cramped with their
position, ached with WEAKNESS. He be-
gan to grow weary and nod, and only
kept awake by reminding himself that il
was his mother, not he, who must sleep
It grew cooler as the sun dropped behind
the trees, and thus, the hours seeming
like days, the afternoon wore away.
The town clock struck again-one
two, three, four, fve-and Mrs. Brown
ing stirred, sighed, and woke. She
looked at Jack, loosing her hold upol
his benumbed hand with confused OK
preston. Then realizing that he mus
have been there all the afternoon, ex
claimed:
"Why, Jack! thought you wer'
with the boys"
He laughed and Strengthened hi
cramped fingers. mo, mother, yol
chung to me 80 affectionately that coult
not get loose. You know you had Il
sleep, and I can go fishing almost an,
day"
Mrs. Browning did not laugh; neithe
did Ellen, who, worn out with lonl
watching, had over slept; nor the othe
sisters, who had been detained by
teachers meeting. As for the boys
when they came struggling home q
dusk and heard the story, they huni
their heads for shame and reprosche'
themselves for their sel6shness. Wheth
or Mr.. Bradley heard of it or not whel
he returned after mothers death can NO
be definitely stated. But the pupil
thought his liking for Jack was eve
more marked than ever, and, strange t
relate, they did not object.
A Possible American Queen.
New York Town Topics.
I have q piece Of interesting news 70
ladies. Prince Albert Victor, the eldee