Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-05-30

"You will become the junior part
ner," she quietly replied
Yes; but you don't congratulate
| me, Annie
Eyes, do, Dick; but viii you let me-
be frank with you? see by your
4 manner that the time for plain speech
between US has come. Will your"
Yes; If you wish"
well, then. I've seen a great changt
coming over you. You're not the same
Dick used to know. Your bright pros
poets are always in your mind. driving
out much of the kindness and friendli-
ness of my old friend. Dick, you are
being dazzled by your anticipations o.
social distinction. business prominence
and increasing prosperity" ~
'.Well, Annie?"
well. Dick-I'm to be frank. you
remember-don't you think a heart
made cold to ones old and tried
friends high price to pay for these:
Have you ever thought Of it that way.
! Dick?''
mo, haven't; but then other men
! rise to these elevated positions Why
can't /? My old friends wouldn't want
to keep me back from prosperity.
would they?"
| mo, no, indeed, Dick, it isn't that.
| There's no change in your old friends.
but they are sad to see success chang
! ing you. You have brought yourself
to believe that the friends you will
make in the higher plane will be bet
ter than we, and there have sprung up
the wish and the purpose to turn your
back upon us. You feel that you'll be
ashamed even of your good, blessed
old mother, and-and, Dick Of
"Well, AnnieP''
s'Of me-
Memory placed beside this truth the
feeling once fondly chertshed-the
anxiety that she should reciprocate his
many secret vows of constancy. and
the contrast pierced him. But not
deeply; he had too long nursed the
belief in her ''incompatibility." and
the old affection faded as stars at
dawn.
IF you feel, Annie,' he replied,
that a life in the fashionable world
that will soon enter is distasteful to
you, L"
There, there, Dick, don't finish it.
I know now how you feel I speak
kindly, but please don't say it. Spare
me at least the plain statement that
I'm too common for the plane you are
rising to. Don't go away thinking !
don't wish for your happiness and sue
cess. do, Dick. You can't wish for
them more than do. 1 will always
be glad to see you. Goodbye. God
bless you"
He had attained his wish-was free
from this lovely girl-but where was
the feeling of relief? Walking home
ward he felt cast adrift, not like hav-
ing himself loosed his bark upon a de-
sirable tide. As in battle. success
meant something slain. But youth s
fairy fabric has few threads of regret;
the flying years soon weave them into
the heavier woof of life.
Next morning the customary for
malities made Dick junior partner,
and Tom Wilgus chief book-keeper.
The dinner always given on the even
ing of this day by the retiring partner
was announced by Sydney Deaker, and
Dick, with his mother and sister, was
cordially invited.
Words fail to describe Dicks lavish
preparations for this important intro.
duction to society. Highly delighted
Herewith, sharp misgivings as to his
mother and sister pricked his refined
soul as they rode dinnerward in the
| coach. The former was too plainly
dressed; the latter entirely too demure
and lacking in that dashing grace o.
Sophia Emmert. His giddy fancy pict
ured her cold, critical glance upor
them, and her turning haughtily away
and forever ignoring him.
The celestial creature did drop sucl
a glance upon the plain widow ant
daughter, but she did not turn haugh
tily away. She was exceedingly gra
cious; Dick feared patronizingly SO
but he repeNed the base thought, par
ticularly when he saw that such, too
was his mothers impression. Sophis
was argel-high above such pettiness
What cordial congratulations! Wha
/ queenly dignity! What loneliness
What radiant signs of a loving. con
fiding, womanly heart! The junior
partner was a worshiper from tina
moment. and lowly, unassuming Anni
sank below the horizon.
Old Sydney Deaker was plainl.
dressed, but Emmert shone resplend
emit Dick couldn't help noticing tn
genuine cordially extended by the tw'
Deakers to his mother and sister; an,
when Mrs. Deaker, placid, motherl,
old lady entered. no patronage ice'
the kisses she gave them. but the.
were warm with true, unaffected hos
pitality.
Emmert's greeting was like throw
ing reflected sunlight into another
eyes. and greatly impressed by it
Dick shallowly rejoiced at the in
creased prosperity awaiting his firm
when those old-fogy Deakers droppe'
out How sadly purblind is youth; bu
experience soon adjusts corrective
spectacles. He was not too far gone
however, to note, with some wonder
how easily his mother and sister wer
conducting themselves, instead of sit