Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-06-14

AA11 was luSG WuaG JOIN udQ beA1u
Why did they not scold me? I could
bear that so much better than this un-
merited kindness.
So it was all settled, and was at lib
erty to be supremely happy.
wandered aimlessly around the
house and grounds, thoroughly miser-
able, for had made my uncle and John
unhappy, and persons can never be
happy, when bringing sorrow to those
who love them best
In the afternoon pnt on my hat and
strolled down the hawthorn-lined lane
to rustic seat where l had often en-
countered Mr.. Thorne. sat down on
the bench, and tried to think solely of
him for whom / had given up my best
of old friends. But thoughts of John
would intrude, and I was unable to
keep them back. How very sYmpa-
thetic I was The gay dancing of the
sunbeams DER the waving green mead
ows, and the singing of the birds in the
hawthorn branches overhead, brought
to me such sense of calm and quiet,
that 1 fell asleep. 1 was awakened
from my slumber by the sound of voices
on the other side of the hedge, and,
listening a moment, 1 recognize one OF
them as the voice of Mr.. Thorne.
How in the name of all that is won
derful did you happen to come to this
little village, Fred?"
Il came to see you, Jack, old boy,
Are you not flatered?"
We'll, yes, rather; but never knew
before that you cared so much for me. y;
well, the fact is, we've been hearing
strange reports about you, lately, and ]
came here to investigate. Of course
they are not true%
"H'ml Can tell you more definitely
when hear what they are"
"In the first place, they say that
you've been flirting. But you would
not do that"
Certainly not"
r.. Both men laughed, and the one called
Ned, continued:
you see, we heard that you were
more reckless in regard to your firta:
tons this summer than ever before. Sc
/, as true friend, ventures to advise
you to return to Miss Lillian Wade.
She has heard it all, and so often, that
she cannot help but believe it, and
consequently, firts desperately. L had
an idea that you ought to return and
effect a reconciliation as soon as posi-
BILE. You could not afford to lose her
thousands.
"By Jove! is it really so bad as that ?"
at really is, or should not be to-day
in this poky little village giving you
such good advice. But tell me about
your innocent amusement. Is she q
beauty?"
Indeed she is. Oh, it's been de-
lightful. Doyou know, Ned, that were I
not wholly heartless should have fallen
in love with Kathleen Mavoureen, as
I call her. She loves me, too. Had a
lover before I came, and last night,
when he asked her which it should be,
she told him that she liked him, but
that she adored your humble servant. I"
well, Jack, you have not been lazy
I see. Will she make you any trouble
when you go away?"
"Oh, no; I've been too cautious for
that. Tonight I'll tell her about it.
She may cry awhile, but she'll soon get
over it.
The two walked off down the creek
and their voices soon died away. in the
distance.
L arose from the bench with clenched
hands and burning cheeks. Oh, it was
terrible, that ], Kitty Ross, should be
so wronged.
II must have revenge!" I said, "but
how, and in what way?"
With my head bowed on my hands, I
thought and thought, but could find no
way out of my difficulty. Suddenly Q
bright idea came to me- would ask
John to help me. At first feeling of
shame forbade my seeking his aid, but
that soon passed away.
John had always been my friend, and
I knew that he would not fail me now.
1 fastened to the house and wrote:
DEAR JoHN-I am so sorry about every
thing, want to see you, Meet me by the
hawthorne hedge at o'clock"
The letter was sent. and waited i'm
patiently for the appointed hour.
At length I stood by John again in
the hawthorn-lined lane, but this time
1 was humility personfed.
"Can you forgive me, John ?" I asked.
He answered "Yes," and then, when
I had told him all, we made our plans.
When, later on, Mr.. Thorne came to
his Kathleen Mavourneen, / told him
that 1 had been seriously thinking about
what 1 had decided upon the previous
evening, and that feared it was an un-
wise decision.
Never was such complete surprise
depicted on any countenance. He de-
manded the cause of my disloyalty. as
he termed it, and when told him that
1 had never really loved him, but
had been merely trifling with him, he
left me vowing that I was the most
heartless of creatures.
He went away from the village next
day, and we soon after heard of his mar
rage to Miss Wade and her thousands.
He never knew that I had overheard
his conversation with his friend, and
firmly believed that it was an instance
of the bitter bitten.
That evening we stood together again
in the moonlight, dear, patient John
and L Again he took my hands in his,
and again he asked me, which shall il
L. K.kk-- ,-1,saH ,6..II - r. ~