Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-06-04


eyes, sir"
What luck with the trout?"
''Oh, none at all to-day" going out to
where his uncle sat.
do you know, Jerry. that's poor
supply of girls in there?" And the ir-
ritable old man rehearsed with childish
querulousness the late episode.
81 know it's silly lot, uncle. but
I've told you a hundred times all I care
for here is the fishing. Yet-Miss Ma
rian has rather pretty face, eh?"
Nonsense! A pretty face! l wish
you could have seen her few minutes
ago."
Il wish could" said Jerry, inno-
cer.tly.
The elder Milward had had his
nephew's wife picked out for him for
years. He had noted the late symp-
toms that the young mans head was
being turned in quite another direction.
So he seized every opportunity to decry
that little snub-nosed thing with red
cheeks'-Marian.
''Get off your traps and come and
smoke with me. I'm sick of Langley.
Let him pay court to the ladies'"
Jerry strobe away, and after some
time reappeared with the fresh hearth
ness of bath and clean linen upon
him.
Give set the trap" he whispered to
Marian and he seated her at the table
for a game of chess, forgetting all
about his uncles invitation to smoke.
Milward watched them gloweringly
through the window as they played.
''She'S the most dangerous little mink
Of ALL" he said to himself, land know
it was she who made the greatest row
about the mouse"
The next afternoon was bright
enough for all the young people to be
off. But somehow they hung about
that side veranda where Milward and
Langley were accustomed to hob-nOb
in peace.
Presently a lout of boy came
tramping along. He mad something in
his hands, and it could be seen by his
dress that he was from the stables.
Just as he came near the group he stu
pidly dropped what he held, and a
mouse, half stunned, scrambled to it's
little feet and ran for refuge under Mil
wards chair.
''Good Lord!" he screamed, with as
wild an antic as his helpless leg would
admit of. ''Jerry-Langley-
Langley scurried into the parlor.
The girls held their ground heroically
and made no sign. They had pledged
themselves to perfect calm, even if the
mouse were to nibble them to death.
''Where's my cane? Jerry, where
is the thing? Catch it!-o-u-ch!''
The girls could no longer contain
themselves. They laughed till the
tears ran.
1T was shame" Betty said after
ward, for he is an old man."
'Why, I've played just such tricks
on uncle since l was an urchin," said
Jerry. He likes it. It's good for his
govt. 1t makes him active. Didn't
you see him dance?"
sit wasn't dignifed," said Marian,
with growing shame.
mo, but twas fun" said Jerry.
''Maybe twill cure him of criticizing
others. At any rate we're quits"
But Milward was not cured. He still
kept hawks watch on the young
ladies. He thwarted every plan he
could, until Jerry was far more in
love with Marian than if he had been
let alone.
..I'll convince uncle yet he said.
AS the days shortened and the chill
! twilights fell the summer visitors fitted
away to the cities, until there were
| few left.
To these few the broad wood fire
places in parlors and Office became more
and more rallying points. Games and
frolics of all kinds were in order. Jerry
and Marian were the butt of a great
deal of sport because they cared for
nothing but chess. They could whis-
| per their sentimental nothings over
that and no one be the wiser.
Il am sure uncle likes You in spite OF
| himself he said to her one evening in
| the parlor. ''But even after all his
| own frightened capers he is forever re-
ferring to nerves and Mysteries. Once
astride hobby he is never willing to
get Off"
Il never expect him to like me-" said
Marian, ruefully. And l wonder you
do. with him always critical of me-
| The little community was to break
up in few days and Marian was de
| pressed and almost fearful.
! when you've gone abroad you'll for
| get all about me-" she added with pa.
thetic little fling of her handkerchief.
''Look out for your knight" said
Jerry. one ndO swept one from Cne
board. 1t had fallen under the sofa
She looked about little. then left
her chair, stopped down and drew il
from its hiding place.
Marian" burst out Jerry. who haG
been watching her, 81 have an idea
| the idea
Lets finish the game"
| ''No. no, listen! l have thought of {
| way to circumvent the tyrant."
''Ol, pray don't, Jerry. You look ex
| actly MS you do when you have mischie
in hand. The matter is too serious fol
sport"
Jerry smiled wisely.
Il shouldn't have been alive to-day
if l hadn't the wit to defend myself,
he said.
81 am in no spirit to listen to plots.
she sighed. ut is late. and why
Jerry Milward. everybody has gone
but us"
They're all out in the Office whers
the gentlemen are smoking Wait
minute. By tomorrow night, this time
shall have uncle converted, or my
name is not Jerry"