Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-11-23

an Ouv0 C0mp1oX1Ons ~ AssOHHc
ure; but she was snys and reserved. ana
talked little, even to her father.
Arthur rather prided himself upon n1s
ability to read character. He thought ne
understood that of Lois. and the TACT tnas
she had been able to keep secret fof tnree
years her reasons for refusing to marry the
man che loved puzzled him very much.
she does not look like . woman VINO
could keep q secret he thought. Il should
say that she could be frightened into almost
anything. She has weak mouth. and is
credulous and timid.'
This opinion was strengthened as he
became more acquainted with her. and he
felt a greater desire than ever to penetrate
the mystery which surrounded her broken
engagement.
Perhaps Henry Drsyton can help me. > he
thought.
And, with this object in view. he cultiva-
ted that young mans acquaintance.
But the Squire's nephew proved Of q
surly, unsociable nature. and showed no
disposition to meet Arthur's advances even
half way.
Arthur at length concluded to let him &C.
verely alone. and turned his attention to
woman. fond of talking. and OF q genial,
conflding nature.
She hal taken great fancy to Arthur.
and he found it easy to draw from her all
that she knew or surmised concerning her
niece's love affair.
But she could tell him very little. and it
was substantially the same as he had heard
from the Major.
Els her cousin in love with her2' asked
Arthur. with a start of surprise.
yes: he has been in love with her for
wears, and has asked her half dozen times
to marry him. He was keenly disappofnt-
ed when she became engaged to Major
~ hntf hov,
had expected. His wedding-gift to her was
as handsome as anything she received. and
he could ill afford such present. for his
income is very small, and he is partially
dependent on my brother. think he is
still bent on winning her, and probably
thinks she will consent to marry him at last
from sheer WEAKNESS at his persistence.
But think that scarcely possible"
The day following that on which he had
had this conversation with Mrs. Andrews,
Arthur was walking through q field with the
Squire, who was explaining his method OF
fertilization, when all at once they we're
startled by loud "Good-morning. Squire,
uttered in clear. feminine voice.
They turned. and saw a young woman
standing on a low stile which separated the
field from tiny orchard, in the middle OF
which was small cottage. overgrown with
vines.
"Good-morning, Rose" said the Squire,
coldly. and then continued his conversation
with Arthur.
The young woman appeared little
piqued at being thus summarily disposed
of. and tossed her head pattishly. her bold
black eyes fixed on Arthur, whose young.
athletic figure evidently took her fancy.
But she did not speak again, and the
Squire soon moved away from the vicinity
of the stile.
~Ihear that Rose Ellis is back again"
said Mrs. Andrews. at the dinner-t table.
Yes. saw her this morning" said the
Squire.
were rid of her for overland Mrs. An
that she had excellent wages and was get
ting along we'll. wonder what has in
duced her to return.
Pure deviltry. of course" said the
Squire. Shell have the whole neighbor-
hood by the ears in a weeks time. Rose
isn't happy unless she is the central figure
of a perpetual broiL"
She is very handsome girl" said Ar
thur. but of very coarse style.
Her beauty has been her bane.' said
Mrs. Andrews.
Her grandmother used to be housekeeper
here great many years ago, but lately she
has lived in little cottage the Squire gave
broken the poor old woman's heart; she has
an idea that her beauty will pave her way
into higher sphere than that in which she
was born. and in some way she manages to
make the acquaintance of nearly every gen.
tleman who comes into the neighborhood.
Then fuss of some kind is always sure to
follow.
Il believe she would stoop to anything to
gain her end" said the squire. She is I'M
scrupulous to the last degree. and utterly
without delicacy or refinement. I beg you
to avoid her. Hazard, or you may have a
-, IL Il
She is extremely artfui, and her beauty and
audacity make her dangerous
Neither Lois nor Henry made any remark
on the subject; but. glancing at the latter.
Arthur saw that his face was scarlet. and
that his hands shook as he took a cup of
coffee a servant handed him.
Evidently he has had some experiences
OF the wiles of the fair Rose" thought
Arthur, and felt very sorry for him.
But. a little later. pity was changed to a
very different emotion.
The Squire's household retired early. as
is customary in the country. and at ten
O'Clock that night Arthur was on his way to
his room.
AS he was about to enter it. he saw a
scrap of paper folded like a note lying Just
outside his door. He picked it up, and,
opening it, read as follows:
Meet me to- night at the big oak tree near
the PASTURE gate. 1 will be there at eleven.
oho you ihuSt uOl Adll W COuO. uuSL anu
will see you"
Arthur could scarcely believe that the
note was intended for himself. and yet his
curiosity was excited. and at eleven
O'Clock. feeling restless and unable to sleep,
he concluded to investigate the vicinity Of
that old oak tree If only to kill time. As he
neared the oak tree he heard voices raised
in angry dispute.
He crept closer. and could distinguish the
forms of a man and a woman standing
facing each other. The woman was sneak
ing now, and Arthur paused.
I tell you once for all that I won't wait
any longer. she was saying. in q fierce.
sullen tone. I've waited long enough.
I've come back to make you keep your
promise. and YOU can't put me of again
with excuses. If you don't look out you'll
get yourself into trouble.
Hush! you can't be too careful what you
say, and Arthur. to his amazement. recog-
nized the low. cautious voice as that of his
hosts nephew. L tell yoI it will como all
right if you only have little patience.
Every one says she can't live long. and
when have little money to bless myself
with you'll see that won't forget you. II
you'll only keep quiet I'll have matters set.
tied in six months time
That's just what you said last year. and
the year before. and the year before that.
While I'm having little patience you'll