Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-02-21

she INDUCED herself freely on the present
occasion. 49,
:. We were living not far nom Detroit-
fathers business was in that city"
]" Indeedi Do you like this lonesoms
placer
!" At first Ibid not"
see. You have become accustomed to
the solemn old place."
" Yes. in measure 80
/" Do you often wander 30 far from homo
as todays Itseems to me not wholly safe
for you to do So" persisted FingaL
'sNot often. am, however. privileged
to do as please. expect, when my cousin
comes, shall take immense pleasure IN
visiting all the noted scenes and wild places
in the neighborhood, /" declared Grace, with
no little enthusiasm.
"You tell me you have never seen your
cousin. Certainly you do not know that
you viii like her."
ssNo, but then I mean to. It certainly
will be her fault If do not, !" declared
Grace, emphatically.
"Ibelieve so myself, - he returned, smil-
ing into the pretty, flushed face of his beau
tiful companion sSThere are noted spots in
thus vicinity, you tell mea''
! ssMany. Just q milo to the west is Hang
mans Gulch, where tits said one Of the first
settlers was lynched for murder. Then /
q cone where at one time old Lille Doty
secreted himself several days from his pur-
suers. You see, we live In q romantic re-
| gion.n ahr g ~ -
:, 81 should say So" agreed Fingal. you
ought to be a poet, or an artist, Miss
Penroy, then you might immortallze the
country roundabout r.
| They walked on then, descending the hill,
| following the wagon road along up the next
incline to the front door of the old mansion.
On the porch an old man sat smoking
pipe. His hair was white as the driven
snow, his face smoothlshaven after the
manner of olden, times. His dress was
quaint and old, and altogether he presented
the appearance of one of the revolutionary
/ patriarchs. Gisrl s slzs r,4s-5.s,4ts
He sat in huge armchair as old and as
quaint as himself, while at his side, lean
ing against his knee, was heavy cane cut
from the native woods. .r
He removed his, pipe when he saw. the
two young people coming up the broad
| graveled walk, pushing with wrinkled
fingers his glasses high upon his bald
| brows.
"Eha It's Oracle, and-and, yes, by the
beard of the prophet, it's young mani
LConfound it; confound 1t, sayi One young
man is enough for q girl Haven't I told
i her" cess Ys
"Grandpa. this is Mr. Fingal. He saved
my life, and I want you to thank him, as
can not, for the act. Mr.. Fingal, Grandpa
Vandible."
Then Grace went in to her mother, leaving
the two gentlemen together.
s. Excuse me-" said Mr.. Vandible, as he
shook the strangers hand without rising,
I've got the stiffness OF old age in my
bones, and can't get up and down as once
could" .t5.
"Certainly, sir"
Fingal laid his rifle carefully aside and
accepted chair that stood near.
Grace says you saved her life. What
did she mean? I'm sure the huzzy ought
not to put herself in danger. I've warned
her enough, yes, have. But there's no end
OF trouble one has with the girls, confound
'em; yes, say, confound 'em."
Then Mr.. Vandible readjusted his glasses,
and petted his cane gently while he resumed
his smoking.
Fingal explained the meaning of Grace's
words, and when he had modestly told his
story the old mans cane fell with q mighty
crash to the floor. Up went the glasses
once more, and the pipe was quickly removed
from his lips.
'Confound it, confound it, Isay," uttered
Mr.. Vandible. -
sit isn't really safe for a young girl to 60
out unattended" asserted Fngal, after q
moment
mo. it amt, that's. fact. I've talked
till all was blue to keep Grace from running
wild in this way, but might just as well
talk to fence-post, I had. I'll tell you, my
young friend, one thing" and the old man
laid his hand on Fingars knee and regarded
him with a queer FUCKER of the gray lips,
speaking evidently in confidence. "I've tried
to have Grace marry a protector, have.'
Such comical look came to the, old fell
low face as to bring smile to the lips of
Fingal in spite of his efforts at gravity as
| bef1tted the occasion. II s9fes
''Could she do that" queried the young
man, quickly, in order to escape being
thought rude. n = ,.
"Could shea Could Grace Penroy marrya
Great Mahomet! Young chap, there isn't q
gentleman in forty miles of Lone Hollow
who wouldn't Jump at the chance to wed
Morgan Vandible's grandchild She's an
heiress, my boy, an heiress to millions.
Confound it, sir, confound it, she shGu
marry, say, and at once. I want this
trouble Of my mind. This looking after
one girl is torment. and to think another
is coming. It'll be pandemonlum here after
that; yes, pandemonium, I say"
The old man groaned, jammed his glasses
once more over his eyes, resumed his pipe
and began smoking furlously.
Fingal felt that he had found an original,
and was immensely pleased. -.
ST suppose" he ventpred, s'that Miss
Penroy has suitors in plenty, then?"
"Suitors! Young man, why shouldn't
she havea Fortune hunters, though, the
most Of 'em; devilish fortune hunters, and
I'll have none Of 'en, none Of 'em, say,
that won't"
"Isn't there one you approved"
eyes, there is one"
Puf-puh-puff. -
Fnga waited some moments for the old
man to proceed. He seemed in no hurry to
-
"The gentleman whom you approve is-''
captain Starbright.''
Then the old man removed his pipe and
caressed his companions knee tenderly.
You never saw the captain, sir:"
81 never did, @5fT