Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-05-19

CHAPTER VIII
JOHN BARLOW REPORTS PROGRESS.
There are few hostelries of the old
fashioned Holly-tree inn pattern left in
Merry England, being displaced by
great red brick denominations, where
guest is ticketed off like some inmate
of a splendid penitentiary; but the
Mays Head, a quaint, old-time tavern
on the left bank of the Thames, chiefly
frequented by artists and fishermen, re-
tains all the charms of a last century
abode for the weary traveller.
There Arthur Dun bar betook himself
when he left John Barlow's hospitable
roof
His room was a spacious apartment,
charmingly furnished in antique style,
with a square four-post bed whose
snow-white curtains revealed in spot
less purity the lavender-scented sheets.
Outside the windows of the apartment
was long balcony, up whose tapering
pillars woodbine and honeysuclxle
climbed, ladening the air with their
rich perfume-below, the river.
It was in the gloam of one evening, five
days after he had left Willoughby farm,
that the young American sat in his
pleasant chamber smoking a cigar and
thus bordering over events with the
listless Indifference of one at peace with
the world.
Why had he taken up his habitation
at this out-of-the-way place instead of
winging his way to the fair cities of Eu-
rope he had come so far to see? He
was trying to answer this question to
his own satisfaction. Could it be that
this blue-eyed English girl, with her
lo-ely face and tender ways, was chain
ing him to the spot? Did he care for
her more than he had at first supposed?
And, if he did, after her GOODNESS to
him on Saturday and Sunday last, was
he weak enough to banker after her? All
OF which conundrums he was obliged
to answer in the affirmative
Kate GrahaIne had become, even
il the short period of their acquaint-
5ance. very dear to him. What a. fool he
was, to be sure, when there was so lit
tie chance of success; he would break
the spell and start off to Paris on Mon
day Meanwhile, if he should chance
TO meet her in his rambles, he would,
try and get at the bottom of her real
sentiments towards him. without abso-
lutely compromising himself. And to-
night John Barlow was coming to sup
with him on his way back from ebert
sey market. Perhaps he might CLEAN
some tidings from him. AS for the
Frenchman, hew not half a bad sort
of fellow, but certainly not the kind of
man that Kate Grahame would appre-
-ciatc, who doubtless had shown him
some civility IL trying to escape his
own attentions Had that meddlesome
old E1;sid, mademoiselle, been poisoning
the girls mind? Well, he would pump
Farmer Barlow and perhaps learn some
thing.
These reflections were broken in
upon by the chatter of the hoofs of the
farmers cob. and in five minutes the
two men were graspirg hands.
Supper was laid in the sanded par1or-
and n rare, toothsome meal it was, pre-
pared by the landlady's own hand-and
when ito was over, they adjourned to
Arthur's own apartment.
What shall it be, Farmer-wine or
spirits? cigars, of course?" Arthur asked
with hospitable intentions. e
No wine nor spirits for me, young
SIR; with your permission I'll stick to
the brown October ale; an as for cigars,
they arg only fit for boys an women
folk. anil / read in the papers that great
ladies iii London have taken to snok-
icg emu the brazen hussies! But tell
Mistressl Turner, thy landlady, lad, to
bring nc a clay pipe an an ounce O
Bristol birds eye. an mayhappen I'll
blow a cloud wi ye."
Which simple demand was at once at
tended to.
When the maidservant had retired
Arthur began the pumping process.
How are things going on at the
faTmhouse?" he asked, with apparent
indifference.
The farmers face was q picture of
perplexity. He pulled forth dozen
clouds of smoke from his pipe, knitted
his bushy brows, and gave sigh that
was almost a9groan-
Things bean't agoing on at a to my
satisfaction" he began Everything IS
"a. SKIES an sevens since you was there.
Such chickering's and heart-burni11gs