Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-07-18
PAUL OSBORNE'S LOVE.

PAUL OSBOkNES LIVE
\ Squire Burt stood with his back +
the blazing fire reading q letter, which
seemed to have an unwonted effect upol
his feelings, inasmuch as he brushet
away two tear-drops from eyes unuset
to such intruders.
The cause was these words writer
by an unsteady hand:
@DEAR BURT: am dying. Forgive
for the sake of our happy boyhood days
the one wrong unwillingly did you.
leave with you, as a keepsake from
Mary, my dear, dead wife (snd you
loved one), my daughter. Asyou value
the blessing of one who will soon be NJ
more, be father to my child, who vii
come to you when I am gone. Uncle
Burt is name she has beer
taught to love Dear friend, God bless
you! EDMUND"
@Ahem! Mrs. Rogers" said the
Squire, clearing his voice and calling hi
house-keeper, who was passing the open
door, You remember Edmund Allen p
Indeed do, sir; and there wasn't 6
finer gentleman ever visited the house
We'll, WELL" hastily interrupted the
Squire, she is dying; and after his
death, his child, a girl, will como here
to reside with me as my own daughter.
That is all at present, Mrs. Rogers"
And Squire Burt turned from the as
tonished old lady, seated himself in an
easy chair, and let Memory have her
sway.
The Squire and his friend, Edmund,
had been boys together, and each sum.
mer vacation had been spent by the
latter at Burt Farm.
The years passed on. and one summer
Edmund came to the farm to find Will
(the present Squire) engaged to q lovely
girl, the daughter of his mothers dear
est friend, and who was then visiting
her. It was happy summer for all
three; then Will was called away by
business to the West Indies.
The vessel in which he sailed was re-
ported lost, and, as no tidings came
from the absent one, he was mourned
for az dead.
A year passed. Edmund, from SYM
pathizing with his friends betrothed,
began loving her; and she, feeling that
Will was lost to her forever, returned it,
so they married.
Two years afterward Will returned.
accounting for his absence and expect
ing to claim his bride. The world ac.
quilted Edmund of all blame; still he
felt he had blasted his friends happi-
ness forever.
For years the former friends held no
intercourse or correspondence.
Will. now Squire Burt, never mar
ried, but preferred living in the old
homestead with his tried servants, now
that his parents were dead.
He was alone, save indeed, when his
only nephew, Paul Osborne, spent the
month of june with him.
A month later and the shy violets be-
gan to show their pretty heads among
the green surroundings on the lawn on
Burt Farm.
The Squire sat in the veranda, the
balmy spring air soothing his senses to
such an extent that he began noddina
in . very sleepy manner and did not
hear the sound of carriage wheels q
they rolled up the graveled avenue A
pair Of arms around his neck and q
sweet voice crying Dear Uncle Burt
The Squire swoke to behold in Ed
mund's daughter and his ward tho i'm
ego Of her whom he once expected Ia
call wife"
He babe the young girl welcome in
such loving and hearty tones that CRATE
tul tears filed the orphans eyes.
Il have brought another claimant for
your love and hospitality" said the
young Mary, pointing to noble New
dog, whom the Squire had
not noticed
sHe was such . fayorite Of dear papa's
that / could not part with him. I tell
him al my troubles and hereally oeems
10 understand me. May he stayf'
For answer Squire Burt patted the
animals head, then wound his arm
round Mary's waist. and led her into the
where Mrs. Rogers ne
ceived her with an almost terrified ex-
olamation.
Il could not help it. sir'-turning
apologetically to the Squire; @ahe looks
70 like the other Mary"
Take Miss Mary to her room, Mrs.
Rogers. and I will send up the trunks;
and the good man hurriedly left the
room to hide the emotion which the
night OF his wards fresh young face
had brought up, for it was ike-ahl 90
Ike hers.
What . deal Of sunshine Mary Allan
brought to the farm. Squire Burps
Ieving glance and bright smile would
~ 9 he watched her put<ing NJ
80 righfs "a duty Will -