Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-07-19
CHAPTER X.

At all seasonnble hours the streets Of
New Haven are full Of pretty girls.
They are merry girls, too, who Hike to
laugh when there's any thing funny in
sight. Drane, with the. bogus Mrs.
Drane tIpon his arm, passed some thou
sands OF them, or ut least he could have
sworn that he did, and they all looked
out of the cornors of thoir eyes, and
grinned with tho corners Of thoir
mouths. 20,
1t Is narrowing to be the object OF
this kind Of attention. II suggests the
possibility Of practical jokcr's placard
on ones back, or black mark along
side ono's nose. Drane investigated tho
subject as well as he could by feeling
stealthily up and down his back, and
using his handkerchief with great vigor.
But for the lifc OF him he couldn't find
any thing calculated to create so much
innocent amusement. -. 81
~ suppose look funny without my
mustacho," he thought, ''but hang me II
should expect people to notice 1t who
mover saw mo BEFORE" ..t i.. ..4
Then he glanced down upon his COM
panioh, and beheld upon her coun-
tenanco an expression which atonce 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 tho most aggravated type
transformed her rather comedy face into
tho familiar mask of imbecility; and
not even the blank stare with which he
met her upturned eyes, moved hcr to
modify single detail Of her ridiculous
grimaco. 90 ~
: ''Sho must be crazy, too" he thought,
with o shudder; unconsciously mold
ing tho phrase OF his idea to- fit tho pop
ular Judgment regarding his own
mental condition. Poor girl; her dis
appointment has turned her brain"
She stecred him into o side street;
and just as he was trying to think Of
delicate way in which he could urge her
to discontinue looking ut 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 servant had ush-
cred them handily into the good pastors
study before he recovered his self-pos-
session.
A venerable gentleman rose from o
large chair. and greeted them with cour-
tcsy.
''You remember me, don't you?" said
tho girl, before Drane could open his
mouth. "I'm Nellie Blake. or was be-
fore you married me to Mr.. Drane. last
Tuesday"
She simpored in most distressing
way and looked up ut Drane. He felt
his hair stirring ut the roots for no saw
now that lunacy was the only explana-
ton OF the girls conduct.
II ought to explain" no began.
But the minister stopped him with q
wave Of tho hand.
mo explanation Is required, Mr..
Dranc," said he. II remember you per-
fcctly, and do trust that nothing has
happened in this short space to mar the
happiness which sincerely wished you
when made you one"
"IIut my dear sir" cried Drane, in
horror Nellie interrupted him with q
giggle.
''You sec, sir, 1t isn't really much OF
any thing" she said, land perhaps we
ought not to have bothered you about 1t;
but the truth is I've lost the certificate
you gave mo. I'm just as stupid as ! can
be, but can't help It,"
''Oh! If that is all"
''lIut it 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, 81 shan't lot you 60 on this
way"
"Some trifiing disagreement, said the
Rov. Mr.. Knowles, smiling good-natured-
". II have no doubt that 1t can DO re-
paired as easily rs tho loss OF the GER
tificate."
''Sir," said Drane, breaking loose from
the restraining hand, Il assure you that
it is your duty to-"
"And assure you. sir, :" said the old
clergyman. with dignity. "that 1t is
your duty, as It is your privilege, and
should be your delight, to DO ever kind.
forbearing and gentle with the woman
who has given you tho honest affection
OF her heart, and whose hand ] Joined
with yours in this very room. Look at
her now"
Nellie had fallen upon q sofa and was
sobbing with industrious vigor. you
have brought tears TO her eyes" Nellie
pretended to wiring out her handker-
chief. ''She might faintwith tho disap-
pointment at your very feetl'
a 4 - - -.