Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-06-14
THE FLIRT.
which shall it be, which shall it be?"
I looked at John and John looked at ma
By AIAUDE HARE.

which shall it be, which shall it be?"
looked at John and John looked at me.
We stood together by the hawthorn
hedge, in the gathering twilight, dear,
patient John andI
He took my hands in his, and look
ing into my face, with that honest look
which Johns eyes always wore, he said,
Il am not angry with you Kitty, but I
want to know just what your intentions
are. Shall it be I. whom you have
always known, and who have always
loved you so long, or that city dude of
whom you know nothing except what
he chooses to tell you? How do you
know but that he is a thorough-going
rascal?"
"For shame, john" I exclaimed, in
dignantly. at is not like you to be so
unjust. What harm do you know of
Mr.. Thorne?"
What good do you know of him,
child? But I'll speak no more of his
merits or dement's. Kitty, do you
really love him, or are you simply in
fatuated with his handsome face and
winning manners?"
John ceased and waited for me to
speak, but I maintained a stubborn
silence.
Kitty, ask you again, which shall
it be?"
He spoke in an authoritative tone
which aroused my anger. Hehad accused
NE of being simply infatuated, and then
had almost commanded me to tell
him if his accusations were not true.
Ia CHI khok II
mere child to be ordered about at his
will. He was not yet my lord and
master, even if we had been engaged
three years. So with all the dignity I
could possibly command 1 answered !:
"Yes, do really love him. like you,
John, and always shall, but 1 love
him"
"Oh, Kitty, do you really mean it,"
Eyes" l said, Il really mean it.
looked into the brown eyes, over
which mist had gathered, and a wave
of sorrow and pity passed over my
heart, bringing like mist before my
own vision.
~Oh, John, I am so sorry for you," I
said. and held out my hands.
Never mind, Kitty. Perhaps I'll
forget sometime. Of coure think of
your happiness first"
He stopped and pressed kiss upon
my forehead, then with a trembling
goodbye, Kitty" he turned and left
me alone by the hawthorn hedge.
watched him until he passed out of
sight, then the tears rolled down my
cheeks and involuntarily exclaimed:
poor John am so sorry for him"
was still crying when I heard, COM
ing rapidly toward me, a musical voice
that well knew, singing Kathleen
Mavourneen."
Soon he stood by my side; nv hand
some lover, and was learning from me
the story of my tears.
And you did it all for me, Kathleen?
Let me see no more tears dimming
Sour eyes, Mavourneen, for you shall
never regret what you have done to-
aight."
Then he talked to me of life to
which 1 was a comparative stranger.
And l, listening to him, forgot John
and my pity for him, and was the hap
piest of creatures. 1t was growing late
when I left him, and, going to the
h"uSCS L SOOAO SOAtA1 "a Sla4S " my
own room.
sat down by the window and, look
ing out over the meadow lands bathed
in the soft moonlight, 1 thought it all
over.
How fortunate considered myself in
being wooed and won by wealthy man
of the world.
Across the meadow, away down the
creek, was the house of the Weston's.
A light was still burning, and seeing
that thought again of John and our
broken engagement.
He is so plain, 1 told myself. %Only
q poor lawyer, with his own way to
make in the world, and 1 could never
be happy in so living. want something
different"
Then I took from box OF the table
q ring which John had given me three
years before.
Dear John, ne is so good" I muir
INJURED, and Q tear fell down on the
golden band and lay there, sparkling in
the moonlight.
Invent to sleep that night with q
strange, sad feeling in my heart, and q
tear in nv eve, all because of my sorrow
for John.
The next morning brought the ordeal
that l dreaded: telling my uncle the
whole story of the broken engagement.
Invent into the dining-room with 8
quickly beating heart, and soon told il
all to the dear, kind uncle who had
been both father and mother to me
since my parents death when was but
q wee brown-haired lass.
He did not scold, as I had supposed
and rather hoped that he would do, but
kindly asked, do you really love the
gentleman, Kittv?"
&Yes, uncle"
"Al 4 you are sure that he loves you !!
%Yes, I am sure" answered, think
20 of how he had said To ma so otter