, 1891-01-20

- ENNg ~ "f'AANA
and l like her quite rs well as any
girl l ever saw-indeed better. I've
built a fine house, you know. She shall
have everything she wants. I'm sure
well be very happy"
Rob smiled grimly. How prosaic
Dreier wasi How Unconditional! The
girl who would be content with the
affection he offered would have all she
deserved, Bonnell felt convinced.
And now. said Henry, looking at
his friend, here is the fix I'm in-I
can't go yer there to be married next
Thursday. The decision about that
new elevator the railroad men talk of
putting up may be made any day. 1t
would not do for me to risk being
HWY
Man alivel" cried Rob, bringing
down the forelegs of his chan with a
bang and springing to his feet. DO
you remember you would go to be
married.
That is the identical reason l can't
60, answered Henry, with his usual air
Of serenity. THE very fact of my as
Stunning new obligations would make it
culpable Of me to jeopardize my bust
ness interests"
There was a little amusement and a
good deal Of contempt in the glance
Rob gave him.
And So" decided Dreier, putting
his short, thick hands in his pockets,
II wrote to Linnet that you would go
over for her Thursday and bring her
10 Belleville. We can be married
here.
No longer could Bonnell conceal his
evaporation.
Good heavens, Dreierl" he ex-
claimed, cant you see that what you
suggest is Internally bad formGr
Henry did not see it. He turned de-
liberately TO weigh the empty g
that had rumbled back on the scale.
Then he calmly faced the Indignation
of his partner.
mo girl, 50 vowed that wrathful in
dividual flercely. ''at least no girl in
her senses, would tolerate such dicta-
toni You ought not to expect her to
come and go as you decide, as II she
were a trained terrier
Henry smiled placidly.
"Oh, she won't mind Ny absence
from town might mean quite a loss to
me in Il money sense
Defer your marriage, then"
''Postponements are unbusinesslike."
1t was with something suspiciously
like an oath hat Mr.. Bonnen pulled
his hat down over his brows and swung
out of the office.
He vowed over and over to himself
hat he wouldn't go to Concordia. 1t
was atrocious that he should be sent to
bring and deliver n bride as II she were
so much merchandise And yet, did
not n poor poet bring Lalla Rookh to
the arms of her royal lover2 Yes, but
the poet was the lover. Well, after
all, what business was 1t of hisl He
had given his word to Dreier to do him
the favor requested, and the future
wife of his partnr must be but a mar
row minded and spiritless creature, and
unworthy his savage chivalry in her de
Tense.
50 he went, but against his will, as
Beatrice said, when she invited Bena-
dick in TO dinner. 1t was still early,
not 10 o'clock, when he drew up his
horses before the large, ugly frame
farm house on the outskirts of Con-
cordin.
1t was an April day and n delicious
one. The skies were most softly, sun
nily, LUMINOSITY blue; everywhere
were plows furrowing the dark sod;
everywhere was budding greenery;
everywhere were budding boughs, and
from the prairie grass came the persist
emily cheerful chirp of the meadow
larks. Kansas was that morning, as
she not infrequently is, more prodigal
of spring time promise than of mid
summer fruition.
Miss Josylanl'
The weatherbeaten woman who had
answered his brisk knuckle knock on
the panels Of the seldom used hall door
regarded him with stolid curiosity.
"Linnet1 She's out with the chill
dren somewheres-gaddin as usual.
Won't you come inT'
No, thank you replied Bonnell,
taking oil his hat in a fashion that the
poor rich woman for n imag-
ined implied supreme sarcasm, II shall
try TO find her"
Find her he did. She was in the
next field, with half a dozen registering
young Blatchfords about her. They
were on their way to seek the where
abouts of n nomadic hen, or rather Of
her nest The fear that she would LAY
out had caused the mistress Of the
farm anxiety unutterable.
Although Bonnell had never seen
Linnet tn re was no mistaking her. \
girl city born and bred is, In the city,
one of n multitude. In the country,
especially in the new western country,
she is distinctively and delightfully."- con
s~picuous. She is the transferred prod.
net of a more luxurious and intricate
civilization.
Miss J1sylan, | believe" said Bon.
neil.
She bowed slightly. She stood re-
garding him with a glance Of quiet in
quiry. She was 4 graceful girl Of per
hans IS or 20 Her gown Of smoke
Mr.. William T. Price. a justice of III,
peace, at Richmond, Neb., was confined