Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-29
[Original.1

country store six miles distant.
1t was the last day of Decem Der. and
a lovely afternoon. There was no
snow on the prairies of southern Kan
sas to welcome in the New Year to be-
gin on the morrow. Cattle fed on the
wild grass, and red birds fitted glee-
fully among the sunf1ower stalks that
lined the roadside.
Suddenly Bessie became aware of the
approach of horseman across the
prairie to her sight. Something in the
manner of his riding told her who it
was, and a warm flush spread itself
over her fair face.
Good morning, Bessie, - he greeted
her, refining his horse in by the side of
her pony, and looking the love which
.he could not conceal.
Good morning, Tom,'' she returned,
somewhat confused under his beaming
gaze-''I--I mean MIR. Hartley" she
quickly corrected herself.
Let it be Tom as it used to be- he
pleaded.
IF it wasn't for that old FUSS She
returned.
Bother that old fuss! We needn't
keep that up between us if our dads
do" he laughed There's no sense in
it, and it's time they turned that old
leaf down. But if they don't it's New
Years tomorrow, Bessie, and we'll be-
gin new one on our own account.
I'm bound to win you.''
But the girls face looked uneasy,
and she strove to change the subject.
when did you get home, Mr.. Hart
l9y?"
only this morning, Miss Fowler, -
initiating her formality. "And behold
how 1 am repaid for my devotion.
Hang the Mr.. Hartley"
''Oh. Tomr'
''That sounds better, if the tone were
only more cheerful. See here! I'm
going to ride back with you to Big
Elm, and have talk with your
father"
Bessie, knowing her father as she
did. might have warned Tom of the
uselessness of such an interview. But
he was so handsome, so much i'm
proved by the two years spent in a
northern college, from which he had
just returned: then what girl does not
possess sufficient faith in her lover to
believe him capable Of accomplishing
whatever he undertakes, even to the
storm1ng of an obdurate parents
heart?
So, side by side, the young couple
rode away together toward Big Elm.
an isolated country post Office, kept by
Bessie's father. Here, twice 4 week.
the scattered settlers and cattiemen of
that region received their mail. which
was carried from a little railway
station thirty seven miles to the east
Tom Hartley, a handsome, manly
| fellow of twenty-four. just home from
a good college, was the son of a pros
porous ranchman. who lived nearly
eight miles from Big Elm. Time had
been when his and Bessie's fathers
| were famous friends AS boys they had
grown up on adjoining farms in Illinois.
When men they had married play
| mates. two lovely girls, and with their
families had come to Kansas. They
had formed partnership in the cattle
business, and for several years they
had prospered reasonably we'll Mrs.
Fowler and Mrs Hartley were on terms
of the most sisterly intimacy. Tom
and Bessie went to the same little dug
out school. and laid the foundation of a
| lasting attachment, which strengthened
with the years that brought the ranch
er's boy to noble manhood, and the girl
| to winsome womanhood.
Then had come the disagreement.
Fowler had grown tired of the cattle
business and wished his partner to buy
him out At last Hartley consented,
but in the settlement there was some
trifing mistake made. It was in
Hartley's favor, and Fowler had ac-
cused his friend of trying to cheat him