Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-02-16
CHAPTER XIV.

All was quiet about the house The blinds
were closed, giving the impression that the
inmates were away. Lydia aGghted, tied
her horse and walked on to the porch. The
door yielded readily to her touch. She
tered. huge dog lay on the floor. Near
by beautiful little girl was quietly playing
with her doll. Lydia came in so noiselessiy
that neither child nor dog noticed her.
'.Now, Max" Dolores was saying, tive
mustn't make any noise. My little mamma
has headache and is lying down. Max,
we are going away, too, she says. We
shall never see my Mr.. Arnold Fox any
more"
Hero the little thing began softly to cry.
Max raised hls head, pounded on the floor
with his tail and began to snif7le in unison
with her; while his eye betokened the fact
that, if possible, he too would shed a tear.
Lydia looked for some time without
stirring. Finally, she walked quietly up to
the child and, kissing her, said:
"What is your name, you dear little
girl2"
Dolores looked up but did not show the
least sign of alarm, or even surprise. She
gazed at Lydia, as if studying her face.
She at last concluded to make friends with
the stranger. Max too had been viewing the
newcomer with doubtful eye, but also de-
cided upon peace. He rose, shook himself,
and walking up to Lydia, raised one ire
''My name is Dolores my little mamma is
up stairs. Who are you, pretty ladya"
''You may call me aunt Lydia. love
your little mamma too, and want you to
take me upstairs to see her.
"But she is i'll and mustn't be disturbed"
ayes, but have come to make her well.
Come little Dolores, take me up, or shall
go by myself"
''Wil you make her wenl Come, then,
aunt Lydia, 1 want my little mamma to get
well" Pausing suddenly she looked in
Quiringly up into Lydia's face, and said:
'.Do you know my Mr.. Arnold Foxl''
eyes, my little one, do. Whya"
Because, if you can make her well, I
wish you would bring him back too don't
want him to go and my little mamma cried
because he was going"
''Wen, dearie, 1 will see what can do"
Lydie began to suspect that matters be-
tween Natalie and Fairfax had gone even
further than she had supposed.
Hand-in-hand the pair went upstairs, fol-
lowed by Max, who seemed to think it his
bounden duty to attend Dolores wherever
she went Natalies door was shut.
Lydia knocked. No answer came. She
knocked again and more loudly. Still no
answer. Pushing open the door, she looked
in.
The room was darkened. A figure, with
loosened hair streaming down over her
back, with claSped hands and head bent
down to the coverlid, was kneeling at the
bedside. 1t was Natalie.
Lydia stopped down and whispered to
Dolores to go and speak to her. The child,
placing her hand on Natlie's shoulder, said:
"Iittle mamma wake up. Aunt Lydia
wants to see you"
Natalie slowly turned q pallid face toward
Dolores. Her eyes were dimmed by weep
ing, and her cheeks tear-stained. Slowly
arising, she abseutmindedly took the child
by the hand and moved languidly toward
the window, apparently absorbed in thought,
and not aware of the tall figure standing
motionless in the doorway. She raised the
curtain and sat down in a chair beside the
window with Dolores in her lap, oblivious
to all about her, and talking rather to her
self than the girl, in a half-conscious,
dreamy state.
Dolores, my dearest, we must go. Do
lores, we shall see him never again never"
she added, emphatically, and, unconsciously
began to repeat the refrain of an old ballad:
"For love that from the heart hath fed
Returns again no more.
No more again, no more"
''NatalieI'' said clear soft voice, care
you not going to speak to mel"
Even this did not seem to awake her from
her reverie. She slowly and YEARLY raised