Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-11-08

He did not mest Gus that day, nor
until several days afterwards. Then
he found him at the club, standing at
a window smoking, gazing medita-
lively out on the avenue. Approach
ing him, he said:
.'Canfound it, Gus. you have made
my life burden for the past three
days. What imp OF mischief possessed
your"
What do you meant" asked Gus.
innocently.
81 refer to that personal in Sundays
paper. Who under Heaven 10 Virginia
Lester!''
81 don't know, I'm sure. You are the
one to enlighten me-" Gus replied, for
he was used to being taken TO task on
every conceivable subject.
eve been bored TO death. Every
one I've met has congratulated me.
I've denied it, but they won't be-
lieve me-, :" said Stanwood. with a deeply
injured air.
'.I'll make retraction, Z" interrupted
Gus, cheerfully.
''Retrection be hanged. I know
what you'll say. The retraction will
be worse than the original of1ense"
When Gus saw that his friend was
really disturbed. he said: I'm really
sorry it happened. old fellow. I
hadn't time to hunt you up and get
you to corroborate the report; in fact
I knew you would deny it. after the
manner Of mankind in such matters.
Any how. I'll tell you how it hap
pened." Thereupon he proceeded to
relate the story Of his caves dropping at
the matinee, explained how the mis-
take occurred, and apologized humbly.
II was at Geneva only q few days, ;"
said Stanford. somewhat modified.
land did not make any acquaintance
at all" Then he asked: Have you
any idea who the girls were?" II
knew mono OF them personally. but
fancied that one was Mollie Curtis,
who lives on the avenue. Her cousin,
Jim Curtis, is q chum OF mine; he
works on the Eve,sing Noon. I have
heard him speak Of herfreQuently." said
Gus.
'sOh. I wish you'd get me an in
PRODUCTION" said Stanford. hesitating-
~. then adding. apologetically: ''Of
course it's only natural for q man to
have some curiosity concerning the
woman whom it has been announced
he is about TO marry"
"Oh. Of COURSE" answered Gus, '.I'll
manage 20 get Jim TO take US to call
on Mollie. I'd like to know her my
self. She's such q gay little girl"
Az Stanwood took his leave. Gus
chuckled 70 himself: THE leaven is
working, anyhow. Who knows but
that it may turn out a match? must
have misunderstood those girls. Their
tongues ran at lightning speed"
A short time after this Stanwood
Jim" 20 call ON Mollie Curtis. Stan.
wood was not quite 80 much at ease as
usual, and it was some time before he
had an opportunity TO breach the sub.
ject which had occasioned the visit
for Gus, with assurance natural and
acquired, appropriated the young la
dy's attention. Never had Stanwood
heard him talk SO glibly and on sc
wide q range of subjects, from the
Bulgarian complication to the zach.
race. When he touched upon the lat.
ter Stanwood summoned up courage
and interrupted him with what, under
other circumstances, he would have
considered objectionable rudeness.
81 beg pardon" he said. "but, Miss
Curtis, believe you spent the sum
mer at the lakesp" An overt wink
from Gus rather disconnected him.
Miss Curtis, mentally wondering
how he knew. answered: 10, yes
and such a lively time as we had!"
81 suppose you went down the St
Lawrence and. shot the rapids"
mo, we didn't. We went the othe,
way and stopped at Mackinaw."
''Isn't it strange how many types o.
people one meets on such journeys
and always some congenial onesP" OBJ
served Stanwood drawing her out. with
professional craftiness.
80, yes, we net such q nice party
from Louisville, so party
of teachers. They were so gay, and
enjoyed every thing so much"
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