Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-04-03


push, until, seized with a sudden
| and mischievous impulse, two or three
| of the boys gave a tremendous shove
against those standing next to Bill, who
was holding the precious box, and
| despite all they could do down they
went and the box shot out into thu
street, distributing its contents all along
the pavement and gutter. A lively
| wind was blowing at the time, and the
way it sent those blossoms flying was a
| caution. Bill, dazed and speechless
with terror at the accident. seemed un-
able to make a move, and before he could
recover his scattered senses his friends
had each grabbed flower and ran.
After the first fright was over he be-
gan to consider what was to be done to
extricate himself from this predica-
ment. There was only one thing he
| could do. he thought, and that was to
put bold face on the matter and say
nothing about it unless found out
And Jack, in blissfu1 ignorance of the
fate of his present and what its loss
would, in the days to come, mean to him
and his adOred, waited with impotence
the coming of Easter.
Sunday came at last, however, with
warm southern breezes and a cloudless
sky; one of those bright days when a
''young mans fancies" are supposed to
slightly turn to thoughts of love-"
That morning Jack made his toilet
with particular care and was ready for
church full half-hour before time for
services, a thing OF which he was seldom
guilty. He thought to take it leisurely
and reach the church none too early, but
love is inpatient and as he approached
the church the bells were yet Ginning
forth their sweet, glad Easter greeting
to a saved world.
Jack was modest young man, fond
of seeing and not being seen, and so
settled himself in a pew in the back
part of the church. The edifce was
most beautifully and artistically deco
rated and festooned with rare plants and
flowers. The pulpit platform was one
great bank of blooming foliage. 1t was
sight both refreshing and lovely and
Jack could not help enjoying the scene,
though his thoughts were far away.
The organ pealed forth in response to
the animated touch of the enthusiastic
organist the choir and congregation
rose to join their voices in one glad
burst of hosannahs of praise to God in
the highest whose Son had died and to-
day is risen, but still the one Jack most
wished to see came not. He had been
casting furtive glances in the direction
of the door, and as the great concourse
of people was singing the last line of
the hymn he was rewarded by seeing
her enter. But-was it possible? Could
he believe his eyes?
Yes; they had revealed only too faith
fully the true condition of affairs. The |
confusion of thoughts that came rushing |
upon him made his brain whirl round |
and round, and ere he could regain his |
she had passed up the aisle to |
her fathers pew, never deigning look
or smile in his direction, although he
was certain she had seen him.
The agony of that long and, to him,
almost endless hour! Will he ever for
get it? The air was sitting; he could
hardly catch his breath. And how he
hated himself and Lydia and every body
else.
But finally the last hymn was sung,
the last prayer said, and he was breath
ing the fresh air once more. AS he be-
came more rational he began to suspect
that perhaps, through some possible
oversight, the florist had not filed his
order. No sooner had he reached this
conclusion than he started with haste
in that direction.
''Storrs? Storrs? Why, most as
suredly. sir. Box of flowers to young
lady in B. street, to be delivered Satur-
day p. m. Were they not received?"
''Well-er-I couldn't say positively. |
That isl mean she did not wear
them this morning." said poor, confused
Jack, blushing violently.
''Of course they were sent. 1 remem
Der now, the boy started early in the |
afternoon with them and when he re-
turned he said he had delivered them |
all right"
Not word could Jack say. To his |
mind there was but one version to the |
whole affair, and in his anger and indig |
nation at the terrible cut he accepted it |
as the true one.
The weary weeks and months dragged |
out, and Jack was. seldom |
seen at the numerous gatherings and |
socials. Lydia was nearly always there, |
however, and entered into the gayeties !
with spirit that unsuccessfully tried |
to be light and happy.
There was an ache in her heart and |
many tear fell in the privacy of her !
own room, where of late she spent a |
large share of her time.
Papa and mamma noticed that some
thing allied their darling girl, and, not
being able to assign better reason for |
her white face n9delicate appetite, con-
cluded she needed a change of air
and scenery. This Lydia denied most
stoutly, and protested that she was in
perfect health. She knew but too we'll
what would bring back the sunshine to
her bright eyes and lovely face. She
knew, but said not word to anybody.
But it was so hard. She could not un-
derstand why Jack acted as he did and
never came near her any more. What
had she done that he should avoid her
so? If she could but solve the mystery,
assign some motive for Jacks conduct!
AS time wore on they drifted farther
and farther apart until the breach be-
came so wide that seemingly nothing
could bridge it and restore the lovers to
each other again.
Jacks bosom friend, Charley Walters,
knew there was something wrong. but
for the life of him he could not fathom
the mystery. He was too conslderate of
his friends feelings to dwell on a sub