Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-07-11

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peny With Adalaxds Vickf
oh, there neyW was nothing IN that, :
sid Ma Taasell.
While Lofty, tripping over The dewy
delds, sung ever and anon . stray ine
OF Jerusalem the golden" out Of the
very fullness and happiness Of her
heart, she was nearing her old homo.
Against the red sky rose up the un-
lovely form Of the old farmhouse where
she had suffered 50 many pangs and
shed so many tears.
@No light" said Lofty to herself
Il suppose father is as ecomical of cam
dies as ever"
Old Elias Emmons sat on the door
step smoking his cob pipe. Tobacco
was cheap, for he raised It himself, and
at that period Of the twenty-four hours
time counted for nothing.
@It's me, father" said Lofty brightly.
The old man grunted some inaudible
word.
@Oh, I haven't come back to stay"
cried she.
aIt's q good thing ye haint," said
Emmons putting vigorously away at his
pipe. Il would not atook ye in If ye
had. What I say I stick to. )"
"Pm suited. said Lofty. And Deacon
Tassell's folks are suited too.
@Humph!" again grunted old En-.
mons. "Then what's brung ye herep
"Pve come after my melodeon, father"
answered Lofty. Mrs. Tassell saysI
may keep it there, and Jacob, the hired
man, will come for it with the ox-cart
tomorrow"
''Humph!"
Lofty passed him with the light, elias
tic step. She entered the dark, moldy-
smelling kitchen, struck match, and
carried the tsllow candle she had lighted
into the farther room. Old Elias
smoked steadily on, chuckling to him
self at the sudden silence which ensued.
"Why, father. where is it?" almost
screamed Lofty, nearly dropping the
candle in her dismay.
"Pve sold it.
"You've-sold my-melodeon!'
"Yes, I did"
"But it was mine!"
well. you're mine, amt ye? You
and all that belongs t'ye. You amt 1S
until October, and by law ye can't own
anything. The very wages ye earn at
old Tassell's could claim if I'd mind
to. And I didn't want that there music.
box around in the way, and 80 1 sold It
last week."
"Who did you sell it to, father?"
at was to Adelaide Wick"
did DR.. Wick buy it?"
mo. Young Harper bought it. Now
you know all there is to be knowed
about it, and there's an end of the mat
ter. It's gettin' dark and I keep early
hours. Goodnight. :"
Father"
Goodnight, I say"
Charlotte Emmons ran out into the
starlight.
She did not sob or cry out. She only
stumbled along in the soft summer dark,
one hand clasped tightly over her
heart.
It was such cruel wound! It had
come so suddenly! If old Emmons had
wanted to smite her to the heart he
could have chosen no better method
than this.
Lofty Lofty! Why are you hur-
rYing SOP"
It was the voice of Adelaide Wick
standing at her own gate.
"Came in!" she cried. Il want to
speak to you. I've something to tell
your
II know what it is" said Lofty, stop
ping short. you've got it away from
me. Well, keep it! And much good
may it do you'll"
There was sob in the bitterness OF
her voice; her heart beat as if it would
sufocate her.
who told you, Lotty?"
Father told me. hope you're sat
isfied now, Adelaide. Let-let me go!
l can't breathe"
But we meant it to be such sur
prise" said Adelaide. It's all turned
up, Lofty, and it's to be sent to the
Harper house Just as soon as the parlors
are prepared, and-oh, here's Will now!
He can tell you the rest" And AIDE
laide turned short around and ran laugh
ing into the house.
Lofty! Ny darlingl How has our
secret managed to leak out :! said Will,
clasping her around the waist with
strong arm from which she could not
escape, let her struggle as she would.
But I heard that Mr.. Emmons was
threatening to sell the melodian, and I
went there at once and made him an
offer which he couldn't refuse. And
Addy Wick has given it house room un-
til the new paper was on the walls of
the south rooms at home pattern OF
blue forget-me-nots, Lotty-just the
color you like. And father and mother
want you to come there this fall instead
of next, my true love. so you see you've
no time to lose in sewing your wedding
dress"
Charlotte looked up into his face.
Happy tears sparkled in the starlight;
. full tide of happiness overfowed her
heart Five minutes ago she had been
90 miserablel Now she would exchange
places with no princess in the land
well, well" said Mrs. Tassell, Il
s'pose it is as natural for young folks to
get married ~ it is for birds to pair in
the sprin1time. But I declare i ahalI