Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
CHAPTER XIII

While Mr.. limerick was chafing under
the restraint placed upon his movements
by the iron walls of an ocean steamer,
occurrences in New York were taking
unexpected and almost sudden turns.
From the day when Armida saw Eu-
gene Breezy picked up in an unconscious
condition after the collision of the gro
Gerry wagon and the carriage, her in
terest in him had been on the increase
and, what was more, was undisguised
After his final recovery she insisted
that all the supplies in that line for the
house should be purchased from sthe
Harlem grocery. To this of course no
one made any demur, nor could they
reasonably, so long as Eugene supplied
goods of a quality good enough for their
use. But after awhile Arnlida's interest
had increased to such an extent that
she had spoken to Eugene regarding
the benefits which might accrue to him
in after life if he possessed at least a
few accomplishments. So to give the
suggestions some practical shape she
had suggested giving him lessons in
music herself and he had eagerly &C
cepted her offer.
The result was that Eugene's pres
ence at the house near to Gramercy Park
became such frequent occurrence that
Mrs. DelarO very naturally remarked it
and in confidential moment referred
to the fact when speaking to Mr.. Will
cox. The old mans reply was that he
did not think there was any improprie-
ty in Eugene coming to take the les
sons, inasmuch as he understood he re-
turned the favor by giving Armida an
opportunity to prevent her knowledge
of French from rusting by means of con-
versation in that language. At the
same time he pointed out, in as careful
manner as his frank, open nature
would permit, that it would be advisa-
BILE not to leave the young couple too
much alone. In this opinion Mrs. De-
laro readily concurred and she resolved,
in view of the fact that so many highly
bred young ladies had lately e1oped
with low-born coachmen and street-car
conductors that she would exercise at
least little care in watching over her
beautiful daughters association with
this young grocer to whom she had
taken such fancy. Not that she real
1y imagined Armida was in love With
him, but inasmuch as his lot in life
seemed to be cast in so different a chan
enforce her motherly prerogative just
little. as precautionary measure.
1t was rather strange tat least so Mr.
Wilcox thought that Armida's regret
over the absence of Percy Lowell had not
been as marked as that of her mother
or as sincere as he knew his own to be-
The Eng lishman had found warm and
lasting place in the old mans heart,
his society had been half the pleasure
of old Wilcox later years. and he
missed Percy sadly.
1t was one night about the time when
Percy was being invited to permit ono
of the card party at Buenos Ayres to
shed his hearts blood. that Mrs Delaro
and Mr.. Wilcox were sitting in the Ii
brary, wondering part of the time and
discussing during the remainder in re-
gard to the probability or otherwise of
Percy Lovefs mission being one which
would terminate profitably-at least so
far as the object was concerned-or
whether it would be only one more to
add to the already long list of failures.
when they heard notes Of music in the
parlor and the voices Of Armida ana
Eugene.
TO BE CONTINUED.