Dodge City times., 1888-04-19
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the wide fleece of verdCre; the leaves were
at their darkest; stalwart rag-weed grew
in the fence corners: the roses were long
ago tired of blooming at their freshest; the
corn stood as high as q mans shoulder, and
only yellow stubble showed where the wheat
had been. Mrs. BaTl1er's garden was rank
with onions, late beans and cabbages. The
potato vines had even begun to droop in
token that their fruit was rIpening. Tom
Holmes farm sWarmed with threshers,
and his house was swallowed by vines wav-
ing their aspiring tcndrils over their time
knOtted joints. The apple trees had formed
green fists TO shake at every passing boy.
improvements. Independent of summer,
were going forward about GUrieys home
stead. a tSh-pOnd was being erected and the
front drive ornamented. The sash-frames
for conservatory were starting out at one
side of the house. Jesse Stone tramped
across the hay fields, noticing the second
growth, and specializing in unison with Mrs
Stone-appalled in her place by coming up
holsterers and paper-hangers - on what
might happen before another year.
But if summer merely triumphed other
where's it rioted around Psyche Fawcett's
home. The graperies, orchards and flower
borders were at their widest. An awning
shaded the stone steps and dimIned and
cooled the hail. within which was visible
half the massive stairway.
Psyche Eat in hammock under the thick
est foliage. white from her hair to the toe
of her slipper, both extremes being tipped
with pale blue ribbon. She gave two large
palm fans to Gurley and told him he could
employ both hands III her service until
Phoebe came down.
''Languidly for me. Cupid. but you'll have
to raise a hurricane over her: she has so
much more strength and color than l have.
The question at first was who shall be called
Miss FaWcett: we're almost of one age;
I'm scarcely month younger. But she in
sisted l shall, and it won't make any differ
ence a few months from now. When
think of that l WoJld kick you, Cupid, if
could only make it hurt. And she so
precious, and SO much time wasted when
didn't know she was Iny cOusinn'
''Or even that wes to be your cousin,"
said Gurley.
''Drusie Holmes Is so reconcied to it,"
said Psyche, with laEgh. ''You must no
tice the anxious attitudes she takes toward
Cousin Phoebe and the distant sweetness
with which Cousin Pho6e treats her. There
has been coldness UoJween them, but l
suppose they will outlive it,
ION account OF the prosecutions she en-
dured from the animGl," said Gurley,
sternly.
Psyche shivered and set her hammock to
swinging
THAT cooled me better than both fans
But don't say another word about him. |
wish he was executed as well as sentenced
It's hard to see our nalne printed with his.
and headlines made OF what he eats and
talks about. If | made the laws l should
smother such creatures in silence and de-
cency as soon as they committed their
crimes. Poor Uncle Fawcett! Do you mind
if say something wicked:'
''Not at ALL said GuIley.
Il can't say it to Cousin Phoebe, for she
wouldn't sympaJhize with me, but it's been
in my mind so long ] feel as if | must ex-
press it. Of course It was fearful for him
to be treated SO. but-do you mind my say
ing something startlia@ly Wiclled!''
'On the contrary" replied Gurley, ''there
are few things | enjoy more than your start
ling wickedness."
'.Wel. I'm glad he died. | guess it was
best for him. lie WASH t comfortable at all,
and he would have made it so uncomfortable
for all other folks. Ia got into the habit of
being afraid of him. You don't know what
bereaved sense of relief | had when he
was actually covered up in the family lot.
We knew just where he was, then! He
would not want to look in at the window any
more. Now, Cupid. you ktO~ | could not
feel toward him as ( do toward Cousin
Phoebe. He has been the bugaboo of my
life. And the instant | saw her | was in
love with her. She grows more delicious as
we get on, too. and even Auntie can find no
fault with her. Don't mention it any where
that you saw me out Of my mourning to-
day. will yOu:n
~ not iced some change in your appear
ance,n said Gurley.
"Oh, the black and soDl 3erless would kill
me if I never slipped ouS of it. And she
doesn't take ofense rs perhaps should with
my disposition if it were ng father. Speak
ing about DEATH
''You were speaking about resignation,
Swansdown.'
'Well, speaking about resignation, then,
you don't know hoc resigned could be if
that pet gorilla of Cousin Phtebe's would
only-only''
Il hope you don't refer to me-" said
Gurley throwing himself back in the arbor
chair. II assure YOU l will not only
only
'sYou know perfectly well whom mean.
She treats the tall beast as if he were no
only human but of average intelligence. l
do all l can to terrfy him on the sly. The
f1utter of my garments inclines him to take
to his native wilds. Cupid, how any one
refined and really exquisite in manner and
nature as Cousin Phoebe is, can nourish a
kindness for that half-witted being, passes
my comprehension"
'.She has always protected him." said
Gurley. His uncouthnesS and stupidity
she long ago accepted and tried to piece out
with her own gifts
''Do YOU know exclaimed Psyche. sitting
upright. Il almost believe she would bring
him to the table if he could be coaXed there
without a ring III his nose. l shouldn't say
word; it would be hard to go against
what she liked. But thank Heaven he is
too untamed to forage beyond the kitchen.
There. however. he has a porcelain service
to himself, and regularly breaks cup like
those old heather we read about after they
had poured special libation."
sThornev will be comfortably provided
for by and by said Guiley, lau ughing ''We
have thought of giving him the cabin and
land where your Uncle Fawcett lived. He
was kind to the poor boy himself think
it would please him. Thorney would always
depend on Us, but on the other hand, such
primitive base will suit him better than
porcelain surroundings. But you do touch
a responsive chord. The first time saw
Thorney she called hin her good little
brother. and in dim, half-conscious way
gauged him as brother-in-law. He went
against my proud stonech worse than Nc
| Ardle, and when I've sad tlat I've said
every thing"
.'Cupid.'' said Psyche. arraigning him
| with one finger. tits very y.arm weather
| and don't ike to think of any kind of ex-