Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-05-26

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inevitable, and began to speculate OF
the course of events and make plans fol
Edmund's future, with Mrs. Morton az
his wife.
One day not long after this we called at
Mrs. Morton's lodgings to ask her and
Mabel Heath to join us in walk.
The ladies were upstairs, the servant
said, and she asked us to wait in the
drawing room while she went to seek
them. The drawing room door was
partly open, and we went in without
making any noise. There was deep
bay window at one side of the room,
looking into the garden; it was partly
screened off by heavy curtains and con-
tanned writing table and couple of
basket chairs We did not at first per-
ceive that this recess was tenanted, but
presently we saw, by means of the re-
Election in an opposite mirror, that
Freda Morton was standing by the table
arranging the contents of her little writ
ing desk. Presently she took up small
case, evidently containing photograph,
and looked long and earnestly at it.
Then she raised it suddenly to her lips
and Kissed it passionately many times.
Hilda and waited breathlessly for q
few moments, then I moved across the
room and greeted Winifred as though
We had just come in. She came for
ward to meet us, her radiant smiling self,
although I could see there were tears in
her eyes. After few minutes she went
upstairs to put on her bonnet and to
look for Mabel, and then Hilda and I
stole over to the table on which we could
still see the little case lying where Freda
had put in down. Our first feeling was
surprise at seeing the photograph of q
young man, having always supposed
Mr.. Morton to have been middle-aged,
if not elderly. Indeed, we had inferred
as much from various little speeches
made by the girls.
We were so absorbed in the contem-
plation of the photograph, that we did
not perceive Mabel's entrance until she
stood beside us.
"Oh," she said, $50 Freda has shown
you that. Is he not handsome man 2"
every handsome" said. "What q
terrible grief his death must have been
to Freda!"
An odd sort of look came over Mabel's
face.
"People get over such things" she
said. after pause.
"Was he fond of Freda2''
''Exceedingly fond of her, and she of
him. But here she is, 2" as her step was
heard on the stairs. "Put down that
picture, Rosa
And Freda came in, dressed for walk
ing, in her coquettish little widows bon
net.
GLOW cool and comfortable you girls
look in your hats |" she said. 81 think
I must get one, too, and leave off this
horrid bonnet. Tn sure, dear, Mr..
Morton would not like me to get sun
burnt. Would he, Mab9"
"You know best, said Mabel, short
~. 81 certainly think you ought to get
the hat" she added, after moment.
During the walk Freda was the gayest
of the gay, laughing and talking inces-
sanity. As we parted from her at her
own door, she said:
$50. Mabel tells me that you have
seen my husbands picture. What do
you think of him p
I muttered some commonplace about
the portrait, in the midst of which Freda
suddenly snatched away her hand, which
she had left In mine, and ran into the
house.
One day my mother andI were sitting
at work in the drawing room, Edmund
being seated, book in hand, in q low
chair, which was partly concealed by q
couple of tall palms. Suddenly Hilda
burst into the room in q state of the
widest excitement.
'sMother, Rose-whom do you think
I have seen just now at the postoAice
Dear Mr.. Morton"
"Do you mean his ghost9"
81 mean himself in the hesh-askinR
where Miss Heath lived. He has .
pleasant voice"
"But, my dear" said my mother,
sdidn't he diet Die of an illness,
meant Was he lost at sea or anything
of that sorH"
81 never heard particulars of his
death" said Hilda, considering; ST be-
lieve he was q sailor, so probably he was
lost at sea. Anyway he is in Longmede
at the present moment"
Chow do you know it is hea"
"Rose and I once saw his photograph.
I could not mistake him, he is such
striking looking man..
"Could this be his brotherq"
"Dont you remember Freda's once
telling us that she had no people-in-
lawi Besides, this man has slight
scar across his forehead, which I also
noticed in the photograph. No, no. il
is dear Mr.. Morton. / wonder If Freda
viii be glad to see him, abe added, ig-
ni6oantly.