Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-06-20

quite sure to End only sympathizing
sister. but also was she one who dearly
loved an opportunity to pour sisterly
consolation upon the heart which she
had scientifically turned inside out for
that express purpose. So she calmly
awaited the evidently-approaching
| moment when the young Englishman
| should attempt to enroll her among
Her Majesty's subjects, with full intent
to invite him instead to serve as her
adopted brother.
1t was very pretty game of fence
at first. Mr.. Faunt had evidently seen
women before He was calmly clever
-exasperatingly so-Sylvia thought
He wasted no time in talking platitudes
about her eyes. or discussing the thou
sand and one personal charms that
women are supposed to cherish as
baby its rattle. She had long ago been
surfeited with that sort of Huylerisms,
but never before had she been posed
as a genius with woman's soul and
the confiding heart of a guileless
| ShAA0s AZ AOAAAcAAOu III GAAS bPPIOCld.
tive foreigner to discover what she
had long felt to be her mission. and
to persuade her that an intellect
such as hers, buried at Boreton, was a
boon DENIED to the world. So Sylvia
listened, and then laughingly opened
that ''confiding heart by telling him
of the Arctic necessity that had strand
ed such mental charms with the addi-
ton of Newport outfit, jewels and
all, on a Long Island beach, including
in her condolences the tale of Maria's
trunk transformed into sincere and
capable safe-depOsit company.
He listened with affectionate concern
to the story of the clammy-hearted
trustee, and with admiring interest to
that of the ingenious hiding of the
jewels. It recalled to him an occur
renee to some family treasures at
home. which he related with interest,
incidentally mentioning his mother
and sisters and the ''old place in Kent,
which he hoped Mrs. Lightfoot would
some day honor with a VISIT Soon
the day for his fraternal enlistment was
evidently approaching. His calmness
gave way to symptoms which Sylvia
thought she knew only too we'll; the
game of fence was now all one-sided.
One August evening, unless all signs
failed, he was ready to surrender
at indiscretion. They were seated
by the great elm in front of her cot
tage, and at last he began to talk of
eyes, and her eyes, too, when Maria
hic hos h
to ask leave to visit a neighbOr, which
was granted with an emphasis that
sent her fairly spinning into the dark
ness down the road. Then, just as the
thoughts of the soon-to-be-brother,
were resuming their flow, a slight
shiver from Sylvia sent him into the
cottage for her wrap. which, man like.
he found only after a ransacking
search of the whole house.
Once more comfortably settled bv
the great tree, his story was evidently
just reaching nervous beginning
for he was strangely Naturalization
Major Dashell doomed at the gate. He
had come to stay and he did stay, late.
Again was the day of adoption post
poned. The two men departed togeth-
er, leaving Mrs. Lightfoot in a condi-
ton of grim disapproval of maids and
Majors who went about at night to visit
neighbors. However, tomorrow is
better than to-day when to-day is yes
terday, and game delayed is not lost.
But again did Sylvia's wires fail to
work. ''Mr. Faunt." so Major Dashell
told her on the beach the following
,Sl
town for short time"
Time had rheumatic wings that day.
Sylvia began to hate the poor English
man for thus evading the sentimental
rack that she had SO carefully pre-
pared for him. AS man of honor he
should have remained to be sat upon
at once and not keep a lady waiting SO
indefinitely. Woe to him when he did
return! Not even a sister should he
find!
However, as the day wore on. the
old routine, broken of late by the alb
sent one, reasserted itself. Gowns
were taken out. tearfully inspected and
put back Maria's trunk was visited
for the first time since a week. and the
case containing her necklace-pride of
her eyes-drawn from it's hiding place
and opened-empty! With a great
gasp she stood tearing at the satin
lining, almost hoping that sight had
left her and that her benumbed hands
would find the treasure. Then, sink
ing beside the trunk, she drew forth
the other cases. ALI empty! All
gone! ALI gone!! All goneI!
Two weeks later package by mail
was delivered to Sylvia. 1t con-
tanned one of her bracelets and the
following note:
MY DEAR MRS. LIGHTFOOT-Iam a reforner
and philanthropist. When you fully realize
this, you will smile at your loss. for you areas
I an of