Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-07-29
1T CAUSED MISCHIEF.
The Scandal Hanging Upon q
Long Red Fringe"

the fireplace, taps her foot on the rug,
and says, coolly: II feel very much hon
ored, I'm sure, but I don't think we
are suited to each other" the young
man who is most interested in the con-
versation can do nothing better than
to depart as soon as consistent with his
dignity.
So Richard went out and banged the
door, leaving Dolly in the library.
Dolly was eighteen, Richard was TWEEN
ty-three, the ages at which man and
woman are most given to tormenting
each other Dolly thought Richard
the handsomest and wisest of human
beings; Richard thought Dolly the low
lest and most lovable of women; so
there is no use describing either of
them. That Dolly should refuse Rich
ard, or that Richard should propose to
Dolly in an unfavorable moment, may
seem strange, but it was the fault of a
gossip, a silent gossip, who or which
had circulated most extraordinary in
telligence concerning Richard.
One fine afternoon, less than a week
before this painful evening interview,
Richard walked down Main street, en-
joying the mild spring air, thinking of
Dolly and tennis, Dolly and his canoe,
Dolly and his tandem and Dolly and
his buggy, as had been his habit ever
since he returned from college and
found that Dolly had treasured up all
his letters to her brother. Main street
was crowded; the evening train, the
''supper train, from town, had just
arrived, and Richard, who had come
down on an earlier train on some bus
mess with old Mr.. FARMLAND, met the
crowd, and beamed serenely on every
one. People meet very closely on the
narrow sidewalk of village street;
that was the reason why the two Pou-
lett girls, apparently struck by Rich
ards new scarf-pin, stared and gig
gled as they passed. Then Miss Lawn
des, the dressmaker, peered at him
with eager eyes; Mrs. Allan. the doc
tor s wife, stout and slow, came to a full
stop in front of him, and as he stepped
aside to give her room, she turned and
looked at him again before she passed
on. Richards special friends, 'the
boys, as the young lawyers. clerks
and railroad men of his own age were
called, were nearly all on the other
side of the street, but Bobby Price,
just through college, and on his way
home from the tennis ground, saun-
tered slowly to meet Richard. Lulie
Cameron was with him, giggling as
usual, and they both stopped and
talked to Richard for Il minute or two.
Then it was tea-time. and every one in
wellregulated Surnydale went home.
Within the next three days all Sun
nydale was talking about Richard Dale
and Julie FARMLAND, Of the outrage
Gus Irritation between them, for Julie
was engaged to George Lane, who was
in Europe on long business trip. The
first that Dolly Firth heard of it was
from her Aunt Julia Dorr. 1--WE all
know how Julie flirted before she got
engaged" said Aunt Julia, after an
nouncing the facts in the case. "But
/ never would have believed that she
could have miSbehaved so afterwards.
George will be furious. OF course he
will break off, and can't blame him."
Dolly kept silent. Richard had been
devoted to her since they were chill
dren; they had quarreled and made up
q dozen times, and he had occasionally
invited other girls to parties and pic
mics, when he thought Dolly had shown
signs Of undertaking. him, but never
in their lives had there been any thing
like this. And to think how he had
kept on calling on her three times 3
week, while he was, no doubt, calling
upon Julie the other four evenings!
And then to come down in the early
train to see her! 1.-The detestable little
flirt, it was all her fault" thought
Dolly, bending over her work. and
blushing with shame and anger. But
though Dolly inwardly ragged, she
showed no signs of disturbance, and |
serenely met Richard when he called,
rs usual. two days after she had learned
of his falscness.
elf it were not that the whole village |
had seen it, believe that should be
deceived by him again. thought Dolly.
IS she looked into the eyes that were
dearer to her than all others, as they
beamed at her from under Richards |
straight brows
When Richard. who had lately made
eegtain satisfaatoEy business arrange