Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1890-05-28
CHAPTER x.

grinned with the corners of their
mouths.
1t Is narrowing to be the object of
this kind OF attention. II suggests the
possibility of q practical joker's placard
on ones back, or a black mark along
side ones nose. Drane investigated the
subject as we'll as he could by feeling
stealthily up and down his back, and
using his handkerchief with great vigor.
But for the life of him he couldn't find
any thing calculated to create 30 much
innocent amusement.
81 oppose look funny without my
mustache," he thought, "but hang me If
l should expect people to notice it who
never saw me before"
Then he glanced down upon his COM
panion, and beheld upon her coun-
tenance an expression which at once ex-
planned the situation. She looked as
no woman ever does except when she's
either sea sick or in love. A honeymoon
smile of the most aggravated type
transformed her rather comely face into
the familiar mask of imbecility; and
not even the blank stare with which he
met her upturned eyes, moved her to
grimace.
"She must be crazy, too, he thought,
with a shudder; unconsciously mold
ing the phrase of his idea to fit the pop
ular Judgment regarding his own
mental condition. Poor girl; her dis
appointment has turned her BRAIN
She steered him into a side street;
and just as he was trying to think of
delicate way in which he could urge her
to discontinue looking at him in that
disquieting fashion, she paused before
gate and said:
This is the minister's house, the
Rev Mr.. Knowles, the man who married
US, you know"
There was painful ambiguity about
her words which perplexed Drane to
such an extent that a servant had ush-
cred them handily into the good pastors
study before he recovered his self-pos-
session.
A venerable gentleman rose from q
large chair, and greeted them with cour-
tesy.
"You remember me, don't youP" said
the girl, before Drane could open his
mouth. I'm Nellie Blake, or was be.
fore you married me to Mr.. Drane, lasI
Tuesday"
She simpered in a most distressing
way and looked up at Drane. He Se3s
his hair stirring at the roots, for he saw
now that lunacy was the only explana-
ton of the girls conduct.
II ought to explain" he began.
| But the minister stopped him with a
wave of the hand.
mo explanation is required, Mr.
Drane," said he. 81 remember you per-
fectly, and do trust that nothing has
happened In this short space to mar the
happiness which sincerely wished you
when made you one."
but my dear sir" cried Drane, in
horror Nellie interrupted him with a
giggle.
''Ypu see, sir, it isn't really much Of
any thing" she said, "and perhaps we
ought not to have bothered you about it.;
hit the truth Is I've lost the certificate
YOU gave me. I'm Just as stupid as can
be, but can't help it."
"Ohl II that is all"
'sBut 1t isn't all. 1t isn't half of It, ="
Drane exclaimed. "The truth is"
Now. you naughty boy" cried Nellie,
putting her hand playfully over his
mouth, ''I shSn't let you 90 on this
way"
"Some trifling disagreement" said the
Rev. Mr.. Knowles, smiling good-natured-
ly. "I have no doubt that 1t can be re-
paired as easily as the loss OF the GER
tifcate."
Sir" said Drane, breaking loose from
the restraining hand, ~ assure you that
| 1t Is your duty to"
"And l assure you, SIR said the old
clergyman. with dignity, "that 1t Is
your duty, as 1t is your privilege, and
should be your delight, to be ever kind,
forbearing and gentle with the woman
who has given you the honest affection
of her heart, and whose hand / joined
with yours in this very room. Look al
her now"
Nellie had fallen upon sofa and was
sobbing with industrious vigor. "You
have brought tears to her eyes" Nellie
pretended to wiring out her handker
chief. ''She might faint with the disap
pointment at your very feetw
Nellie began to faint with rigid de
termination which alarmed Drane, anC
called forth moro remonstrances from
the kind-hearted old man. Togethe
they made her comfortable upon tn
sofa and famed her till there was
small cyclone in the study. When sh
was quiet Drane saw his opportunity
and, in voice as calm as he could max
it, he said:
my dear sir. you are wholly mistakes
in this matter. am not the man VIII
married this young woman, and hav
never had the pleasure of seeing eithe
her or yourself before to-day"
do you mean to say that she doesn
: know her own husband?" asked tn
reverend gentleman, with great SUI
!, prise ''This is preposterous."
}. s.She knows perfectly well that I al
not her husband" said Drane. ''Fc
some purpose of her own she has lnre
me here, and has claimed me befor
Yea, and you have pretended to recol
aize me. But for the honesty that rea
} in your face, SIR, should be tempted
say that this was all great conspirac
to entrap me-"
''Young man. said Rev. Mr.. Knowle
with deep severity, 81 never forget
r face. knew you by your necktie!'
s. It was the one article OF conspicnoI
apparel which he had retained sine
the first exchange with the tramp
the Turkish bath. He cursed 1t in b
soul.
"But look at me more closely; loc
u into my face" he exclaimed
= RaY. Mr.. Knowles pulled naix