Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-11-17

her, and murmured to me that you had
the air Of queen, because your manner
was at once so grand and so simple, and
then (this she said In the frankest yet
most abrupt fashions as If it wereonly an
afterthought), because you were so en-
tirely, so exceptionally handsome. Be
fore that the voluble little creature had
been speaking OF the king q Saltrayia-
She had told me that his hatred Of
morganatic marriages had given oEense
to some OF the haughtiest mobiles of En-
rope, and that he had refused to receive
certain princely cousin of his on &C
count OF having contracted such an al
lance. Then she said other things con-
corning Clarimond; she spoke OF his in
tense democracy, OF his rumored asser
ton that he meant to marry the woman
he loved. even though she were Sorn
peasant; and lastly OF his well-kEown
regard for America and the American
people This, my dear, was the secret
of my having brought you here You
see, I'm making clean breast OF it to
| you now. Don't stare at me in that
amazed manner. You act as If you'd
just heard an explosion OF dynamite :"
st have, mamma-and rather loud
one"
Mrs Kennaird drew herself up and
gave several short mods. Kathleen,
stranger things have happened And If
there's a woman living who could bring
about such development believe that
am she"
| They had reached a small rustic seat,
| within a thicket OF laurels whence rose
bust in granite of Pousikin, the famed
| Russian poet Kathleen sank into the
seat almost exhausted, heaving a quick
sudden sigh, while her mother stood be-
side her, presence OF extreme stateli-
ness and distinction.
care you tired, my dear. SO soon?" she
asked.
Kathleen looked UP at her with q cold.
fatigued smile you've wearied me
beyond expression she answered
my childI''
sob, mamma, it's truei You know
that loved him, and that love him
still To you it may sound senseless
| enough, but he is more to me than a
whole dynasty of kingsi And then for
you to torment me by this new follyI
| As if you had not already made me go
through enoughi AS If 1 were not the
butt and jeer of hundreds OF people at
| this very hourl Surely you might have
some mercy after what you dragged me
through in London!''
''KathleenI Katbleeni This is afro
cious!''
sit is indeedl'' cried the girl, and
| without another word she sprang to her
feet and hurried away, leaving her
mother to gaze at her figure as it re
treated among the fringy Eondage of
| the henlocks.
Well though she believed that she
=
| a doubt that the actual success of her
new and most characteristic design
would win from her child the gladdest
sort Of acquiescence. There are some
natures that can no more conceive OF
others really refusing certain positive
worldly gains when the chance comes for
palpably grasping them than man born
color blind can conceive of the lights
and shade in a canvas by Rousseau OF
Daubigny. II it was fated that this eN.
traordinary, this unprecedented young
king should fall in love with her daugh-
ter, his nuptial path would OF course
be one strewn with roses. As If any
woman could or would refuse to become
q queen. Kathleen was capable Of odd
behavior, beyond doubt; but even hel
worst vagarieS must end at the bounds
Of lunacy.
That afternoon the Kennair1s had re
ceived an invitation to go and drink tee
at the Jerningham's villa. They had
not yet met the Jerninghams, though
brother and sister had both left cards
upon herself and kathleen few day:
ago, finding them absent from the hotel
When Mrs. Kennaird again saw hel
daughter she refused to pay the pro
posed visit
Say that am unwell, mamma" was
Kathleen's announcement. Say any
thing you please. ! shall not 60"
, But you must, my dear. They arr
not people to treat rudely, although
: have learned since we have been at the
hotel that they are exclusively in the
; foreign set and that neither the king
nor any of his court honor their enter
. tainments. It seems that Mr.. Jerning
; ham has made himself unpopular IL
Saltravia- He has quarreled with the
} kings favorite friend, the architect who
built for him that superb marble palac<
"a person named Mr.. Eric ThaXter, al
American. and"
Eric Thaxter?" broke in Kathleen
81 remember that name. Where have
heard it?''
> REALLY don't know, my dear. Per
haps during your London days. H'
, can't be anyone of the least Importance
5 in New York, though l am told that b
, originally belonged there He x o
great Importance here, however, he is
, sort of power behind the throne tn
king is devoted to him. I must manag
to meet him Poor, dear, equity OLE
Mrs. Madison has promised to presen
him soon One sees him now and thel
: at the Casino, she tells me, and not sci
[ dom in the company OF the King him
. self He has the entree inso the yer,
most difficult Saltravian houses In
: deed. why not, since that char1nin:
, Clarimond deigns to be his friend
? You VIII change your mind about tn
Jerninghams, my dear, will you not?''
NO. replied kathleen, with mucl
frmness. Then she booked at he
: mother very f1edly, and pursued
Now. mamma, let one thing be clearl,
understood between you and me- d
not wish to go 1T all into society Will
/ we are in Saltravia- We came here 70
5 the water-at least l did, if you di;
, not 1t is late in the day for me to tr.
{ and impress upon you that my socia
: life has ended You must have seen tina
{ in Dresdenl And as for q certain iGe;
: l r - II.