Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-04-30
Copyright. 1891. byA. N. Kellogg Newspaper

CHAPTER lI.-CoNrINUED
-.And thought that may be-" her
protege unblushingly continued, you'd
be willing under the circumstances to
gf9e me a helping hand to start with
Money!" Grace asked, sharply.
eyes, money" was the surly re-
Spouse. 81 must have means to get to
headquarters, and I've a few debts
round here, which ought to be paid, or
they'll say 1 ran away to get rid of
fhem.''s
''That they will, am certain Miss
Ruth declared, with an air of convic-
ton; land, besides, Grace, the poor
boy can not start with empty pockets"
Grace confessed that it would be very
disagreeable to do so, but offered no
suggestion out of the difficulty.
sit would only cost matter of forty
dollars, and think, Grace, you would
say you were cheaply rid of me at that
price. Why, the old gent himself would
jump at the chance if you would only
ask him."
Grace shook her head despondently.
''Forty dollars!" Miss Ruth CALCULATED.
<sI have not five available dollars in the
world. What can the poor boy do,
Grace? You sit there like a wooden
doll, and say nothing"
''What can 1 say?'' the girl asked.
Now, Miss Ruth knew quite well that
her grand-niece possessed a little store
that she had been accommodating for
months, with the idea of surprising the
minister with the present of new
heavy overcoat for the winter, and she
was justly indignant at the young lady's
30 obtusely refusing to see the necessity
of devoting this sum to the exigencies
of James Lawson.
She was obliged to be more outspoken.
"Can't we borrow from that little
fund you have been boarding away all
these weeks?" she asked, plumply.
Grace colored scarlet.
IF I was only sure he was really
going to enlist"-she said, with hest
tation.
Lawson saw that the battle was half
won
''Wish may die if I'm not, Grace"
he interrupted, greedily. "You ask
Frank Besant If it amt all gospel
truth"
''Well," she said, reluctantly, 81 sup
pose you must have it," and as she
opened desk and handed him silk
purse, she continued: ''There are only
thirty-two dollars; but it is all have"
She gave it to him as ungraciously as
it was possible for her to do any thing,
but he was not easily offended and took
it from her with many expressions of
thankfulness.
She stayed his protestations with an
imperious wave of her hand.
81 suppose" she said, cit is just pos
sible that you may be sufficiently CRATE
FIJI f<, 6ociy 70 do in
for this?'
''Try me, Grace"
81 will. If it ever lies in your power
to serve Frank Besant, remember that
should consider this money well spent,
if you did your best for him. And, if
you will sometimes write me letter to
tell me how he is prospecting, shall be
in your debt"
so help me Heaven" replied the
young man, solemnly, 81 will do all you
ask of me-and more, too, if the chance
occurs" and he said it so heartily that
Grace forgot her prejudices sufficiently
to shake hands with him; for, having Sc
cured all he wanted, he was already
preparing to make a hasty retreat.
Not one moment too soon, for, contrary
to all precedent, the minister came out
of his room and peremptorily ordered his
women folk to bed in tone that
brooked no remOnstrance.
1.-THE idea of the thing!" shifted Miss
Ruth, but nevertheless preparing to
obey the summons. ''As if we were a
couple of naughty school children. do
believe Josiah is taking leave of his
senses"
Then presently the lights were ex-
tinguished in the parsons home and APP
parent rest settled over the household.
But did Mrs. Besant, in her fine brick
house beyond the walnut grove, sleep
that night? Not much, you may be
IN L ~ ~