Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-11-26

day, late in autumn, Mrs. Sanders
| came into the little conservatory,
| where Maggie was busy in bower of
glowing chrySan themums. She fitted
from one flower to another, exclaiming
| over their beauty in a pretty, ecstatic
| fashion.
Il am to give little affair next
Thursday evening, Thanksgiving, you
know. and I had so set my heart
| on chrysanthemum decorations; but
Bailey's are all engaged was wonder
ing if you would not sell few, just a
| very few of these sweet things she
added, coaxingly, touching bunch of
| vivid, golden-hearted beauties
mo-" Maggie answered, flushing
| proudly; II will not sell you one, but
will give you all that you care for. -
Dear Mrs. Bloom, it is too lovely of
you to say so! And I want you to
| come" Just here her arm struck q
pot containing some choice cuttings,
| overturning it and breaking it upon
| the floor. It must be confessed, how
ever, that at this moment the rare slips
were of small account in Maggie's
eyes. Her heart was in a foolish fut-
ter as, in fancy. she saw herself an
honored guest at Mrs. Schuyler San
| ders' ''select affair" When at last Or
der was restored, Mrs. Sanders went
on:
'.Bailey will not even superintend
| the decorations; but 1 have penchcnt
for that sort of thing myself, and feel
sure that, with the assistance of your
exquisite taste, we could get up some
thing perfectly sweet
Perhaps Maggie's assent to the plan
was a trifie eager; indeed fear that it
was so much so as to flavor strongly of
gratitude. However, were there not
plenty of women, with substantial
bank accounts, who would have given
| anything for an invitation to one Of
| Mrs. Sanders entertainments, not to
speak of being made the contidante and
| adviser of the great lady herself? When
Dick came home that night he found
Maggie in futter of delight
'Why, bless you, little woman" he
exclaimed, good humoredly, you don't
imagine she wants you at her swell
! party?"
'.I'm sure I don't know why she
shouldn't" Maggie replied. with an
| offended air. You are connected with
| the bank and
Connected with the bank! Maggie,
that's too good. Connected with the
bank! SO is Pat McDuffy."
t'Patrick McDuffy?"
Eyes, the man that tends the furnace
and sweeps the floors"
'You used to think was as g-good
as a-anybody," Maggie faltered, and
then burst into tears
Gas good? Great Scott! Maggie, you
| know that. to me, you are worth a
whole world full of those gadding,
! flirting women, like Schuyler Sanders
| wife. But they would as soon think of
making equals of Pat and Biddy as
they would of you and me. But never
| mind, Blossom" he added, kissing
away her tears, ''if she really wants
you, and if you really want to so, your
old Dick isn't gong to scold about il. -
| 81 am going down town to-day"
Maggie announced, as they fingered
over their breakfast next morning.
81 shall want some ribbons to freshen
| up my black silk, but I don't want
money. SIR" she added saucily, as Dick
produced his pocketbook. II had a
note from Mr.. Grant yesterday. saying
that he is at last ready to pay me the
| ten dollars that was due my salary
| when left his service"
| ssIf you go down to Grants you can
step into the insurance Office and leave
this" Dick said. laying q ten dollar
bill beside her plate. Tomorrow
will be the last day of grace" he add
ed, land wouldn't have you forget it
for the world"
| ''Should you forfeit your policy"
| mo. I could redeem that at any time
within three months; but. in case of an
accident, 1 should receive no benefits -
'But there has never been an acct
dent" Maggie said. shuddering.
| mo. and let us hope there may never
be. Nevertheless, little woman, don't
forget to hand Fergus the money"
When Maggie went down town she
had intended going Immediately to the
insurance Office. However. as Bal
tours lay directly in her way, she
could not resist the temptation to go in
and look through the ribbon counters
At the glove counter were q couple OF
ladies whom Maggie recognized as be.
longing to the Schuyler Sanders set