Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-08-06
A fond pressure of the hand was his

sure. Forgive me if 1 seem abrupt,
darling mother, but has Colonel Hop
kins asked you to be his wife?'
Eyes, Frank" The answer was in a
tone scarce above a whisper.
''And you said?''
81 said No. Frank"
because you did not love him?"
''That is not fair question. You
really must content yourself with your
own love adventures, Frank, without
interfering with the indiscretions of
your elders
She tried hard to get up Ii ht laugh,
but it was a failure.
Mother, you must answer me.'
''What shall say?"
''The truth
''Now, suppose had told him Yes,
what would you have said?''
THAT You were lucky woman and 1
a happy man. All, mother, you do not
know the real worth of the man you've
turned away
''Oh, Frank!''
II say" he continued, hotly, you
don't know what a gentle, lovable,
pure, brave, honorable man he is-the
noblest fellow ever met, except my
father"
''Iknow it, Frank" the widow sighed,
with such conviction that light dawned
on her sons doubts.
''Ah! you do love him, after alp"
''Wen. perhaps-really, Frank-you
are odious to-day-but I will confess
that think the Colonel"
''Spare your bushes, mamsie!" Frank
cried, gleefully, 'for am off to bring
him back" And before she could in
terpose he was gone.
Mrs. Besant was in pretty state of
dismay at her sons impetuosity She
declared to herself that she would start
for the BrentwOods at once and spend
the day with them; that if she did stop
at home it would only be because it
was her duty to preside at her sons
table when he had guests; that she
would be barely civil to that horrid
Jack Hopkins, who had placed her in
such ridiculous position, and then
she went to her mirror and decked her
self with bit of ribbon of the color she
knew was loved best by that obnoxious
gentleman.
There was double wedding at Mel
tonburg, and didn't the tongues wag
when the gossips learned who the par
ties to the contracts were? It was all
very well and to be expected that
Colonel Frank should wed their village
beauty. but that Mrs. Besant should
have captivated a handsome husband
with all enormous fortune, was news
that set every old maids and lone wild
ow's heart huttering with envy and
hope.
Colonel Hopkins insisted on Franks
taking the whole of his fathers fort
une, and moreover built him hand
some residence, far larger and more
consequential than the Walnuts; where
he now resides with his growing fam
lily.
In the outskirts of the village James
LawsOn's widow and son live in pref
ty cottage with his father, who is never
tired of talking of his boy Jim, who died
on the field of battle, defending the
Union flag. He and Miss Ruth often
ningle their eulogies of the Inflated
young mans career and say some very
sharp things concerning the ingratitudc
of his country, and Frank has never
dispelled their illusions. Even when
Jim's widow, some years later applied
for a pension land got it, he mercifully
held his tongue.
Mark Henderson, of course, married
Kate Lester, and it was on the occasion
of this wedding, which was held in
Chicago, that Frank met Jack Gregory,
who was Marks best man.
Have you heard what has become of
Charlie Fulton?'' he asked, when as
Jack said, the couple had been turned
off, and they had leisure for personal
"reminiscences.
''Oh, yes, he is married and gone into
cattle-raising with Will Jefferson
married.! Not to Miss Lascelles,
surely?'
mo; she's breaking hearts in Paris,
with splendid chance of marrying a
Duke. They had her picture in the
London Graphic few weeks ago."
''And Charlie?''
married Doc Saunders daughter,
a sweetly pretty little girl with a
fortune she inherited from her uncle''
''And you, Jack?'|
"Oh, I'm the one man of all our
crowd who has had the courage to nail
his cOlors and refuse to yield to the
fair enemy. Now, Master Frank, have
you drawn prize or blank in loves
lottery-but, if the latter, poor beggar,
you would not dare to say SO, so what is
the good of asking?''
II have drawn prize so rich and rare,
Jack, that 1 have no words to tell you
of its value"
Jack smiled. He had heard young
married men say the same sort of thing
before.
'And you are going into politics,
hear?" he asked.
Eyes, in a small way"
."Pshaw! Besant, do not talk like that;
why, man, you could not do things in q
small way if you tried"
Jacks prophecy proved true. Ric hes
and honor have been heaped upon
Frank in his civil career; but no dignity
he has ever attained, no public favor
he has ever won, no ambition he has
ever crowned with success, has given
him one 1.-THE of the thrilling delight he
felt the day they made hire COLONEL
OF THE FOURTH.
'gAgfklNhAsanaMp~.
So 60; * x III
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