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

Smoking TRANQUILITY in an easy chair one
evening in June, Ma or Hartwell was reused
from the deep and painful reverie into which
he had fallen by step in the hall and
knock on his parIor door.
"Come!" he said. and smile lighted up
his grave. handsome face. for both step and
knock were familiar to him. and II there
was any man on earth whom he held near
and dear. that man was he who now en-
tered.
L was beginning to wonder what had be-
come of you. Arthur" stretching out well
coming hand. which Arthur Hazard took in
warm grasp
FL have been unusually busy" and Arthur
threw himself into a chair. I've been get
ting ready to leave town for q few weeks.
and haven't had time to even think of my
friends"
Then you've come to say au reuoir.'
Yes; I'm off tomorrow by the early
train. 1 wish you were going &ith me.
Cyril"
Il can't leave the city now. Besides,
shouldn't enjoy having nothing to do. I
haven't taken a vacation since left the
army. Where are you going?"
TO a piece called Westholt. down in
Buckingham County.
The Major started. and shadow crept
over his face-the shadow of a past sor-
row. the memory of which was very painful
to him.
4 am going to visit the big man of the
place-Squire Drayton." continued Arthur.
earelessly. Il made his acqua ntance few
was pleased to take fancy to me, and in
vited me to his place. Some one was tell
ing me the other day that the Squire had
one Of the prettiest daughters imaginable.
So you can prepare yourself for anything
in the way of news when come back.
He paused, lau hing. and expecting some
facetious reply; but Major Hartwell was ST.
lent. The shadow had deepened on his face
into a look of pain.
What's the matter. Hartweli? You look
as if you had seen ghost. Are you envying
me my good luck?"
No; have no desire to go to Westholt
l shall never go there again.
Ali You have been there before me.
then?"
Yes; I was once engaged to be married
to Lois Drayton."
You were? Excuse me. Major. if had
known that would never have spoken as I
did; but no hint Of anything Of the sort had
ever reached me. Are you willing to tell me
about it?"
Yes; had I not been. I would not
have mentioned it at all. 1t isn't q very
long story, but think it a very unusual
one. met Lois Drayton when my regi-
ment was stationed near Westholt. and we
were engaged for year. know she loved
me: have never doubted that. though
what followed would have led almost any
thing approaching affection. We were to
be married on the 10th of October. and the
wedding was to be grand affair. All the
Drayton relatives far and near were invited.
and the Squire had prepared for bonf1res.
fireworks and general enthusiasm. l went
down to Westholt on the morning of the 9th
and had no fault to find with the welcome I
received from Lois. l thought had never
seen her in a happier mood. and we had
long talk about our future and made all
Il r
never to be realized. We spent very
happy afternoon in the great. dusky parlor.
and after supper the Squire took me out for
= long walk. wishing to show me some i'm
provementS he had made in drainage and
parking. We left Lois in the hall, talking to
medicine for sick child. I remember that
looked back when reached the yard and
waved my hand 10 my little girl. thinking
how sweet and fair and gentle she looked
the child's illness! All. me! I did not
dream that it was our last partin9-that
was never to see her ain!"
Never to see her again. echoed Arthur
Hazard. as his friend paused.
No; / have never seen her since that
evening. When the Squire and returned
to the house, a couple OF hours later. We
found that she had gone to administer the
medicine herselfto the child. and on reach
ing home again had retired at once to her
u ..
drews. who had taken the place of a mother
to her for many years. Mrs. Andrews
found her prone on rug. her left hand
grasping it in her agony.
Gently raising her. Mrs. Andrews endeav-
ored to learn the cause of her pale and agi-
tated condition, but she would explain moth
ing. simply stating that great sorrow had
come over her NE. She simply wished. she
said. to send a message to me. It was that
she absolutely refused to marry me. Yes.
on the very eve of our wedding she had
changed her mind. And she would give no
reason for the change. nor would she con-
sent to see me. Her father and aunt rea-
soned and argued with her In vain. She
simply wept and maintained her mysterious
silence. And the end of it all was that left
Westholt the next day. together with my
best man and the half-dozen bridesmaids.
The AFFAIR created a great deal Of gossip.
but no one has ever been able to get to the
bottom OF 1t.
Perhaps Miss Drayton heard something
against you suggested Hazard.
NO; that question was asked her. and she
insisted that she had not.
And you do not think her merely ackle''
-Iknow her too well to think that
And there was no other loverY
NO. She had other suitors. OF course.
but was the only one for whom she had
expressed any regard.
And she has never given any explanation
of her singular action?-
Never. see her father occasionally.
and he has repeatedly assured me that she
maintains her mysterious silence. They
never mention my name to her now. She
requested them not 60 do SO.
Il wish. for your sake. could get at tho
root of the matter. Major. Suppose Try.
will have good opportunity; you seq.
You can try. Of course. Thank you Tor
your interest; But there Is no reason to
INV sorrow as best can. I must not hope.
for hope would end only In despair.
In the train the next day, on the way to
EesthoIt. Arthur Hazard remembered the
story he had heard. and he felt great
curiosity 10 see the heroine Of SO peculiar
tale.
Squire Drayton was the richest landed
proprietor in the large and fertile county in
which Westholt was situated. His house
was q handsome. rambling building. sur
rounded by trees. and overlooking beau
tiful gardens. rich pastures. and we'll titled
fields.
His family consisted Of his daueher Lois.
widowed sister. and q nephew. the son OF
his only brother.
Arthur liked Lois at once. She was .
l. al ne ~