Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-10-03

merely an acquaintance-no w that he was
weaIthya . - s .
He had so often sought out the silver lin
ing to her dark cloud Of late that it seemed
impossible to endure q change in him; hi.
friendship was very precious.
The family knew nothing of her secret
and went on discussing the rector Son ani
his money, not aware that the girl left hel
dinner untouched as she crept away 10 bel
room to think it all over. ~ ~
Her cousins had never recognized Their
young neighbor before; but now, because
he was fortunate In a financial sense, they
were ready to inveigle him into companion
ship and-matrimony If they could. I.
She saw as much in Kate's blue eyes 81
dinner. Would they do IT. Would they
take him away from hera Well, it could al
easily be-; she had no claim on him really
after ALL
That evening Babbette walked slowly VI
and down under the darkening cedars
alone; she wanted to be alone anG the
gloomy shadows were fitting the occasion.
I But she was not alone; no, some one Was
coming. 81 am so glad to find you, Bah
bette,' said the voice that always thrilled
her, s'for I have glad news, my little
friend."s fttt as 8fse rg .tt5.
ST have heard" answered the girA
YEARLY. t'You are q wealthy gentleman
now.'
r wv ont you conRfaCul2Ce meg ne asked
"Aren't you glad for Max?"
.Why should congratulated" and her
white face was turned to him in the gloam
ing. ''Why should I, when it lifts you up
50 far away from metz a-s. r~.s. !. - !
"Away from you9 Why, Babbette, don't
you know me better than that7 It onlr
brings me nearer to you Tiff you will; il
gives me liberty to tell you something very
dear tony soul Can't you guess, Babbette
-love?"
Then he did love her, She opened he,
lips; but the answer would not come.
II have thought sometimes that you loved
me- dearest; was I mistakenW
'sNo," she whispered; show could help
ita'
ST don't know; am sure don't want you
to help it, he said with low, happy laugh.
''Then you will be my wife, won't you,
Babbettea"
80, Maxw
"Why not, if you love me, dearestr'
81 can not appear well in society and :,
and am poor and charity's child"
Are those all the reasons why you car
not be Max LAWYERS wtfe!" asked he, hold
ing her hands while he waited her answer
81 believe they are, ahe said, family.
"Ibrush them aside, then, as should cob
webs" he said, drawing her nearer him.
''Win you marry me, little oner'
Eyes, Max" and the lonely, friendless
orphan crept into the arms of the million
aire; he whom she thought shut away by a
wall of gold.
At the boating party Max was the lion of
the hour; but he disguised Kate Wilton
very much by devoting his attention to
little Babbette.s HE doesn't know she is as
poor as q echurch-mouse, in spite of her
good looks,' she almost sneered, to her
companion.
'sWhy do you ignore the pick of our social
circle and take up with that girla" asked
Uncle Wilton, pompously, as he noticed his
own daughters wiles prove futile in en-
sharing the young man.
because, Uncle Wilton, she is my wife, ~
answered Max, calmly.
If thunderboit had at that moment rent
the very heavens the surprise and aston
ishment could not have been greater.
''Do you mean to say that you are in
earnest?'' gasped Uncle Wilton, recovering
from his helpless wonderment.
81 was never more in earnest, uncle.
Babbette and 1 were married this morning
at Grace Street Chapel, few friends be-
ing present, while my father was the off,
eating clergyman. Will you not congratu-
late US, uncle?"s v
: And in adazed sort Of way Egbert Will
ton gave them his blessing while the other
members of the party looked on and en-
joyed it as a spice Of real romance; all ex-
cepting Katy and her sister.
Piqued and taken aback, the proud
Misses Wilton stood aloof and looked down
on little Babbette with disdain and whitening
scorn. "a
She, of all the world. to outstrip them in
the matrimonial race! And they had al
ways tried so hard to make her keep her
place, the ungrateful little beggar. An
their enjoyment was suddenly annihilated
by that one fell stroke of the handsome
millionaire.
But they recovered from their shock,
however, as it was policy to do SO, and
grew fond Of referring to the happy couple
as tour wealthy cousins now travelling in
Europe" MANDA L. CRoCKER-