Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-12-18

We might have been there by now, but
we thought it better to wait over
train to rest and get rid of the dust we
brought off the cars"
t.And to let him get shaved and bar
bered and prinked up generality"
shrilled the cripple, inadvertently.
"Hester!' The mothers voice was
heard for the first time.
''Well, mammal
ssThat is not respectful, my love. You
are tired, I am afraid
The shrewd face jerked fretfu1ly, and
the lips were opened for a retort,
checked by gloved hand laid upon the
forward child's. There was only MUIR
muir, accompanied by pettish shrug.
March was ashamed of the impulse
that made him steal . look at the tray
bearing the result of the whispered con-
snltation. Three tureens, each contain
ing two generous portions of excellent
English gravy soup with barley in it, a
teapot of tea, bread and milk for the
baby and plenty of bread and butter
were duly deposited upon the board.
sill take the rest of your order row."
said the waiter, civilly-suggestive.
This is all. Thank your" in . mat
ter-of-course tone that was not resent
fully positive.
The courier understood herself, and
having taken ground, how to hold it.
This was luncheon. March caught him
self specializing as to the dinner bill-of-
fare.
The spokeswoman may have been two
and-twenty. She was slightly above the
middle height of healthy womanhood,
had gray, serious eyes, with brown
shadows in them when the lids dropped;
well-formed lips that curled roguishly
at the corners in smiling; straight
nose with mobile nostrils, and firm
chin. There was character in plenty
in the face. Such free air and sunshine
as falls into most girls lives might have
made it beautiful. The pose of her
head, the habitual gravity of eyes and
mouth, the very carriage of the shout
ders, and her gait testified to the I'M
timely sense of responsibility borne by
this one. She was slight and straight;
her gown of fawn-colored cloth fitted
| we'll, and toque of the same material
with no trimming, except a knot of
| velvet ribbon, was becoming; yet March,
who designed his sisters costumes, was
quite certain that gown and hat were
homemade and the product of the
| wearers' skill. Both women were I'M
mistakably gentle in breeding, and the
| cbildren's chatter, although sometimes
pert, was not rude or boisterouS.
A man entered by the side-door while
| the chatter was shilling under the SUE
preme attraction OF the savory luncheon,
| and, after word Co . waiter, took the
| chair which had been tilted, face down.
| ward. against the far table at the
''courier's'' order. He was tall, and had
an aquiline. intellectual cast of counte-
nance. His hands-the artist had an ap-
preciative eye for hands and fingers
were students; his linen was irre-
proachable; his chin and cheeks were
| blue-shayen, and his black hair was cut
! straight across at the back. just clearing
| the collar OF his coat, instead of being
! shingled.
"a Clergyman" deduced Gflchfist,
from the latter popularity. That-not
| the white choker-is the trademark of
the profession. Did barber. or preach
er, establish the fashion, After inspec-
ton Of the menu. the newcomer ordered
| . repast which was sumptuous when
! compared with the frugal one course of
| tho seven seated at the table built
around post in the middle OF the room.
| He took no notice OF them nor they OF
him. His nien was studiously abstract
ed. While waiting for his food he drew
| small blotting- pad from his pocket and
wrote upon it with . stylographic pen.
his profile keenef as his work went on.
In pausing to collect thoughts or choose
: words the inclination Of his eyes was
! upward. After his entrance profound
silence settled upon the central table.
Not even the baby prattled. This Elm.
guIar taciturnity took on significance TO
| the alert wits of the unsupported
observer when he saw . swift inter-
change OF looks between the cripple and
her left-hand neighbor, attended by q
grimace OF such bitter disdsin directed
by the junior OF the pair at the student
as fairly startled the artist.
! The unconscious object OF the shaft
put up paper and pen, and addressed
himself with deliberate dignity, upon
the arrival OK bis raw oysters. To the
lower task of filing The material part
Of him. He was discussing . juicy
square OF porterhouse steak, as March
bowed respectfully on his way out, to
the girl at the head Of the board, q
smile In his pleasant eyes being es-
| pecial3y intended for the dwarfed
cripple beside her.
Homer had bolted the last fragment
of huge segment OF custard pie,
washed down the crust with second
joFun Of coffee, and sat, sAtiaUe and
sheepish, upon che tall stool, awaiting
orders.
s'The most extraordinary combinery.
taken IN all it's parts. it was ever my
luck 60 behold declared March Gil-
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