Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-01-10
II.

Mrs. Langdon was widow; she had
married man much older than herself,
for home and plenty of money. Mr..
Langdon lived but q few years, then
died without will; but Atlee, his son
by former marriage, would not hear
to her leaving his home, and for two
years their lives flowed on uneventfully,
and then Atlee became engaged.
Maude Dillon was a beautiful but
cold woman of the world, and several
years older than Atlee What place
he held in her heart would be hard to
say. She had long been upon terms
of intimacy with his step-mamma, and
Atlee had drifted into boyish passion
for her, which she encouraged.
OF course he wished to be married at
once; but Mrs. Lapgdon proposed that
they should go abroad for year or so,
and Maude acquiesced in her plans.
Atlee fumed and fretted, but at last
yielded, though with bad grace. The
day before they started Mrs. Langdon
said she had agreed to chaperon her
cousin, Miss Winnifred Mason, ''dear
jolly little girl" and she hoped Atlee
hOu1u u duu NC civil W ASIs
A sea voyage is very pleasant thing
to those who like it; and SO Atlee found
it. Mrs. Langdon and Maude were
sick all the time and kept their state
rooms. Winnie was gay as lark and
perfectly we'll. She and Atlee were al
ways together, laughing, talking, jok-
ing, walking the deck, quarrelling &C.
casionly, and then making up.
For over a year they were thrown
constantly together while in Europe.
Maude at times was very tenacious of
her rights as fiancee, but more often
she was entirely apathetic.
Poor Winnie little knew what danger
Gus ground she was treading; and Atlee
was for long time unconscious of the
reason that caused him TO look with in
difference and then aversion, upon his
betrothed. One day their eyes were
opened. Winnie and Atlee had been
for long stroll. They CHANGED to meet
Mr.. Morgan, a man of great wealth,
who had shown much attention to the
Langdon party. He stopped and asked
Winnie if she intended going to the
concert that night, aud, receiving an
affirmative answer, said with emphasis,
as he bowed and left them: "Then 1
shall be there"
Atlee's brow darkened; he walked
on in silence for some time. Winnie
said one or two little nothings, but re-
ceived no respose. At last he spoke to
her with startling abruptness:
"You are never to speak to or again
notice that man again"
What man, At? ?" she asked in
amazement.
Morgan"
"What has he done?" cried Winnie.
%Done? Nothing that I know of, ex-
cept dare to push himself upon you"
"Oh, moi" cried Winnie APOLOGIZE
cally; she is inoffensive enough"
"Of course you are in love with him,
and have nothing more to say" he
exclaimed violently.
why, Atlee, what can you mean by
speaking to me in this way? Are you
angry? What have I done?"
Forgive me. Winnie, my pet, my
darling. Oh, Winnie, can't you see
that love you, and am almost mad ?"
And thus suddenly, unexpectedly to
both, was the confession made.
There was silence for a long time.
Winnie walked on mechanically, but
her face was pale as ashes.
"You think me dishonorable brute,
of course?" said Atlee, sullenly.
"Oh nor whispered Winnie.
Then you are at least sorry for me?
You do not hate me?" he asked eagerly,
imploringly
'.I do not hate you; how could II"
No other word was said on that day;
! but Atlee knew then, and more fully
afterward, that his love was returned.
| III
| One night there was to be dance at
the Grand Hotel Winnie. after VOW
| ;no she would not 90. Suddenly made