Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-09-20
MABEL JOYCE.
BY NJ. E. W.

IL was the tnlrQ OF July Just ten years
ago. The front parlor of the widow
JOyce's cottage was lighted by a single
lamp turned low. Mrs. Joyce, her
daughter Mabel, and the latter's &C.
copied sutton, John Andrews, were dis
cussing what they should do the follow
ing day. After an interval of silence
Mrs. Joyce stopped her mechanical
work of knitting and remarked:
We'll, have you two made up your
minds what you are going to do?"
NO." replied John, II can't get
Mabel to say what she desires. We
could go up the river to my mothers,
but she thinks rowing so stupid"
%And 80 it is" remarked Mabel; at
is slow and poky."
Now the fact of the matter was that
John had proposed the trip, and Mabel
did not care to give in at once.
She had an idea if she held out for a
time, and then appeared to relent, that
John would think all the more of her
OOndescension.
Mabel was an only daughter. She
had been reared by an indulgent
mother, her father having died during
her childhood. A loving mother had
gratitied Mabel's every whim, of which
she had many. She was the acknowI-
edged belle of Woodlawn, and many
were the admirers she had snubbed,
until the rising young physician paid her
attention, then she sobered down some
what, but still she liked to exhibit her
powers, which usually consisted of
making the doctor the victim of some
caprice. He had often argued with her
on the folly Of her conduct, but she al
ways laughingly turned it of.
"Ah, folks" exclaimed a voice at the
open window, what are you incoming
about in the dark?"
GOOD evening, Mr.. Maxwell" said
Mrs. Joyce; won't you step IMP"
why, George, when did you roll
into town." exclaimed John.
Mabel, shaking hands with the new
conner, asked, "How's Fanny?"
"Oh, she's about the same; in fact, it
was she who sent me in. She wants
you people to come out to our place to-
morrow. There is to be a church pic
mic in the morning, and O circus got in
tonight, and gives q performance to-
morrow afternoon and evening. l take
the 9:15 train for home; what shall 1
tell my sister?"
"Tell her we will come by all means"
exclaimed Mabel; "iust the thing"
The next day the three went over by
train to Trevor, the town where the
Maxwells lived. Mrs. Joyce and Mrs.
Maxwell were old school friends and
they concluded to stay home, while the
young folks went to the picnic.
Mabel was more capricious than
usual this day. She nearly drove her
Poor john, as she called him, insane.
The church picnic and bazaar was a
success; that is, very little was sold
for a great amount of money; the
church leaders were satisfied, and they
supposed everybody else was in the
same condition.
In the afternoon George Maxwell, his
sister Fanny, John and Mabel attended
the circus. They gazed with awe at
the stuffed mermaid and regarded the
Zulu chief and spotted boy with admira
ton.
Toward the end of the performance
206 great daZak was announced In
his wonderful feat of handling his
family of venomous cobrss. Mabel
was at once interested in this yellow
faced son of the East, and loudly APP
plauded his dexterity in avoiding the
stroke of his serpents' fangs. She be-
came so enthusiastic IN regard to the
fellows bravery that George said iok-
inglT she ought to marry snake
charmer.
@And that's just what intend to do,
replied Mabel, %for 1 am sure that John |
will go into that glass cage and do what
Hazsk does. VIII you, John?' she !
asked. as she turned toward him.
sDo I understand that you wish me |
to handle those deadly snakes?' ex-
claimed John.
%Yes, does it surprise you?'
@Weli, / must confess that it does.
%You ought to have as much courage
Is Hindoo,S said Mabel, who seemed |
90 be put out at her lover failing to |
promptly comply with her latest whin.
To do what you ask me would not
be proof of courage on my part; it |
vOald simply be ridiculous. I would