Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-09-12

his soul by his wife, who was a hand
some tartar. with will like iron. Her
son looks as if he had inherited some
of it."
Nov. Uncle George. you are not to
say a word against him!" cried Stella.
1--WE are going to eat his bread and
salt on Saturday" and she laughed de-
lightedly.
Il suppose it is you. my dear, we
may thank for this hospitality" sal d
the Admiral. jocularly. Leo frowned.
Later in the evening, when the
elders were playing bezique. Leo whis-
pered to Stella: II am not going to
have you firt with this chap. Remem-
Der, miss"
She smiled at him with her innocent
blue eyes. ''Is it ikely?" she said;
and they squeezed each others hands
in token of confidence.
When Saturday arrived, and Stella
found herself on the box seat beside
Standish-Mrs. Grey having declined
the post of honor-her delight knew
no bounds. Standish's stern face was
illumined by pride and pleasure-every
look into those smiling eyes seemed
like draught from some pure spring
of happiness He was beginning al
ready to love her intensely, and he had
made up his mind absolutely that she
should be his. Standish seldom thought
it worth while to exert his will on tri-
fling matters, but when he felt strong
desire to attain a purpose, he would
y Ill % =
He had taken it for granted that
Stella was free and heart whole, so
when at dinner he saw Leo looking
jealousy at her, and Intercepted the
loving, reassuring smile she sent back,
he experienced a sudden and violent
pang. But he had sufficient self-con-
troll to conceal it. and before dinner
was over more parties had been planned
for the following week. On Wednesday
they were to go to the dance at the
New Club. and the Admiral felt the
least they could do was to ask their
host to dine with them on Monday.
"How heavenly it would have been, :"
said Leo, when they got home, eff the
mater had gone in front and you and I
had sat behind together!" And Stella
concurred.
Standish did not sleep well that
night. He had conceived violent
willed that she should be his. But
the thought of the cousin, who
was good-looking lad, chafed
and irritated him. 1t was ridic-
ulous to think there could be any
thing between them more than a boy
and girl fancy. The Greys were not
we'll off. Leo was only clerk in the
Foreign Office; he could not marry her.
But Standish could not endure to think
that any one had so much as breathed
upon his lily. His? Yes. hist When
ever his will had been reused he had
never yet failed to obtain his object.
Instinct told him that he must not be-
tray his passion to Stella; he knew
that it would brighten and repel her.
1t was a hard task when his arm was
round her in a waltz and his heart
beat so near hers, but exercised i'm
mense self-command, and when his
eyes would have betrayed him he
averted them absolutely from her face.
house. Leo, no longer jealous, con-
ceived the strong liking for him that
an enthusiastic and frank -natured lad
often feels for man considerably his
senior. Standish gave him constant
dinners, lent him horses to ride or
drive, supplied him with choice cigars.
and took him about. The end of the
season was drawing on. Standish be-
gan to find his position unbearable.
had played double part. and he hated
it. He had always been man of honor,
now he was going to descend to base
means. And yet he swore to himself
that his love, as he called it. was the
purest and best part of him. and he
vowed to love and cherish this
fair creature as the apple
of his eye, and to develop
every good and generous quality for
Standish set himself to serve two
masters: hell first and Heaven after.
He found out Leo's weakest spot,
which, poor lad, was tendency to
gamble. Standish led him slowly and
surely On-racing, card playing, even
a little fiutter on the stock exchange.
F or the first time in his life LeO's
pockets were full of money. He was
intoxicated with the unwonted sensa-
ton. He bought diamond heart for
Stella, which she dared not wear, but
treasured fondly. for he had sworn her
to secrecy about his money making.
What delicious whisperings they had
together! When he had made f1O,-
600 they would be married. Stella
was more charming than ever to
Standish. Was he not their guardian
angel?
The day of reckoning came quickly
and surely. Leo lost all his winnings
in GoodwOod week, and f2. 900 be-
side. He was horribly vexed, but by
no means in despair. with friend
like Standish at his back. But sud-
denly Standish made a volte-face,
looked and spoke sternly, and abso-
lutely declined to advance the money.
Stunned and stupefed. for one mad
hour Leo dreamed of suicide; but he
was young, the love of life was strong
in him and ho thOuuht of h;s vooron<o