Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-04-05

hated himself and Lydia ind 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 filled 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 receivedP"
"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. ! 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 1t
as the true one.
The weary weeks and months dragged
themselves 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
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 and delicate appetite, con-
cluded she needed o 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 I'M
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 considerate of
his friends feelings to dwell on sub
ject so evidently painful to him, and
but for few little slips Jack had I'M
consciously made he knew practically
nothing about the affair.
Summer and autumn had come and
gone, winter was fast going, and as
spring approached Charley was no near
er q solution of his friends depression
than he had been months before. They
were speaking of the early spring that
was prom Using, and Charley said:
"Well, the Lenten season is nearly
completed, and with the revival of So
ciety's gayeties want you, my friend,
also to throw off this melancholy spirit
and DO cheerful again as you used to
be-"
His friend sat silent for q moment as
If mentally debating some question,
and then replied:
II never told you, Charley, why have
changed so within the past year. / have
hesitated so long because the subject is
q most painful one to me. tell you
now that you may understand and not
insist that 90 with you into society"
He told the entire story faithfully
and wound up with: 1T was terrible
blow to me to be treated thus by the
girl loved so dearly. To be sure I
never intimated by word of mouth that
/ cared for her, but how could / speak
when / loved her so intensely and knew
not that my love was in the least re-
ciprocated."
but is it not possible that you might
be mistaken? Perhaps the flowers
never reached her." said his sympa-
thetic friend, in q vain endeavor to
comfort him.
"Ah! but made sure of that by going
to the florists afterward. How can /
enter into the pleasures of the season
when my heart is so heavy and sad?
I'm obliged to you for your kindness
and sympathy, old fellow, but really
can't"
Thus ended the matter for the pres
emit, and Charley wen. home for the
night.
He was not so certain Of Lydia's dis
like for his friend. Had he not noticed
the sad, listless expression that ap-
peared at times upon her face despite
her endeavor to hide it? Was he not