Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-07-18


evenings were usually cnllvcncd by the
presence Of numerous young gentlemen
from tho city, and tabloaux, charadcs and
music had by turns engaged our attention.
But on this particular evening OF which
write / was tho victim Of that foe % beauty
and good temper, influenza 80 had per-
suadod my young friends 20 90 20 a party, 20
which we had boon invited, without me.
Every thing had been done for my comfort,
and was cozily onsconscd IN large easy
chair, m front OF tho library fire. Ny host
had boon reading 20 his wife and me. and I
think must have been doing, for when no
stopped suddenly jumped up and OK
claimed In the prim style OF my child
hood; ayes, ma'amn Mrs. Ralston run 70
mo, and said; "What are you talking about,
Jean
81 thought that lady spoke 90 me, said,
rubbing my eyes and Joining In the laugh at
my expense, as | pointed 20 the portrait OF a
handsome lady, hanging over the mantle. I
had often noticed IL. Tho face was hand
some, not bsautDai, the eyes were black and
piercing, the mouth and chin showed de-
cision, while the splendldly-shapcd head
and high forehead denoted intellect OF no
mean order. Her abundant hair was dressed
high, and profusely powdered. She wore a
scarlet satin robe with an immense train,
open over white satin pctticoat The waist
was filed In with lace, the sleeves were
short with largo puts, while long, white
silk mits covered her hands and arms.
Tho figure was tall and well developed,
the position was dignifcd and graceful.
You felt that here was woman born 20
command, and with ability 10 do II wisely,
too.
"oh," said Mr.. Ralston, "my stately an
cestress summoned you, did shel She is
regular aristocrat, isn't shei"
Yes" replied, enthusiastically; "she
looks like born Queen. Please tell me
about her"
"Well," he said 81 will tell you the story
az ] have heard my grandfather tell t. His
father was q circuit Judge In Western
Pennsylvania, and at the time Of which /
speak was about thirty-hvo years old, and
very handsome, Of course. His duties led
him 20 travel through his district, and at
that day he journeyed on horseback. On
one OF these jaunts no found himself in q
lonely spot In the mountains, and as both
he and his horse were tired aud hungry, he
was glad 10 SEQ I'm the distance n small
farm house. Putting spurs 20 his horse, he
soon reached tho fence opposite tho door
Tho sound OF his approach drew tho family
10 tho door; 80 he politely accosted tho
mother and asked II ho could get some re-
frcshmont for himself and horse. She
agreed, and tall, 1.-the girl Of about fifteen
darted out and, resting her hands lightly on
tho fence, vaulted over n, and, as he had
dismountcd, She, with an alertness which
amazed him, lcapcd into the saddle, and
saying; III will take your horse 10 the
stable and feed him, sir" rode OF.
He convcrscd with the woman, and found
her shrowd, sensible person, though UNI
cultured That they were poor, he could SEQ
for HIMSELF
The father, he learned, was not strong,
but did his best 20 support his family, and,
ms tho woman proudly said, "thcy had
neither starved or begged, and she reck-
onod they never would" She enjoyed the
opportunity OF talking 10 the handsome
stranger, and so no learned most Of her his