Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-01-21

| THE OLD MAN DREW A LONG WHIFF AT
HIS PIPE AND PAUSED.
ton of good woman's love? II You
really have the interests Of your young
master at heart, man, you will second
me in my efforts to esta blish his happi-
ness
Il second thee! Thee talkest as
though thee did ma know thee vert play
| ing with fire, Mr.. Hardcastle. Does
thee know what young woman's ways
are, sir? Signs, an smiles, an snicl1er-
ing, an before young fellow knows
where he be, there's plain gold ring
on her finger, an he's caught for life
And the best thing that could hap
pen to bim," Mr.. Hardcastle said
heartily.
"Ah," Bladon sighed, 81 see how the
land lies. Blame me if they hasn't be-
witched thee too. I'd take my Bible
oath that pretty widow has got thee
under the harrows. Take my advice.
sir-run for it, while thou'st got the
| chance; for there's no hope for thee
while thou stayest i Glastonbury
| Mr.. Hardcastles' face flushed purple.
| ApopleXy at least seemed imminent.
''Bladon," he cried, his eyes flashing
! scandalOuS old sinner"
And having delivered himself of this
| righteous explosion of wrath, he turned
on his heel and went hurriedly towards
| the Evesham's cottage.
Poor old chap Bladon grinned.
Hes in the meshes, same as the rest
of 'em-an' when man O. his years
gets took, he always has it as bad as
can be. Poor old buffer, he amt bad
! sort after all. Oh, them women, them
women, what a sight O. misery they
| work i the world
And it CHANGED that as Mr.. Hardcastle
strobe wrathfully down the street, who
should come tripping along but Miss
! Wanda Arlington.
| ''Ah, here you are she said, merrily.
Il was hunting for you high and low.
| want you to come long walk with me
by the river
with all my heart, my child he re-
| Piled, the smile involuntarily lighting
his face.
But you seem annoyed about some
thing, Mr.. Hardcastle." she ventured,
when they had gone few PAGES.
Yes. my DEAR" he said. Il am"
Then it flashed across his mind that
after all she would be the best person
in whom to confide his project.
Il have been upset." he continued.
Il have been building castles in the air,
and some of them are tunbling down."
Il an SO sorry"
And you can help me repair the ruins
if you wish, Wanda.
Il am so glad,'' was the bright re-
Spouse. Now what can do?'
He replied by asking her question.
-
that George Arundel takes in Hates So
ciety?"
''Why yes, have" Wanda flashed
with quick delight. do you really
think he is learning to love her?''
Il do. Would it not be fine thing
for both of them? So now, little woman,
l want You to pat your wits to work
and further the good cause"
Indeed l will. How strange that
never thought of this before. But.
wherein have you failed? For 1 pre-
sumo your fallen castles were built on
this base"
you are right You see I wanted
some one to help ne, and l went to
Bladon."
Wanda laughed merrily.
ITO Bladon! Why it does seem funny
to ask that communicating old man to
interest himself in such project. He
looks on love as little less calamitous
than smallpox"
$50 found out, my dear. Why, will
you believe it, the ignorant old idiot
actually charged me with matrimonial
| intentions on Mrs. Evesham.''
How shocking!'' There was merry
CLEAN in the girls eye, which caught
Mr.. Hardcastle's glance.
''What are you laughing at?" he
asked snappishly. II am not quite
so old that q romance at my time Of life
| should seem absurd
The mischief faded out Of the girls
! face on the instant.
mo, dear Mr.. Hardcastle," she said
| with quite earnestness. You are one
| of those men who will never grow old. :"
THAT is ridiculous, of course, but"
"Nor must you think" she added,
laying her hand upon his arm, that I
was smiling at the probability of your
asking Mrs. Evesham to be your wife.
Smiling! Why, if thought such a
thing was possible should laugh aloud
for very joy"
"Eh, what! Wanda. you must be
crazy. Do you mean to say that you be-
heve for one moment that such a noble
woman as Mrs Evesham would con-
sent to bless the fag end of life Of a bat
tered old hulk like me?"