Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-09-15

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Philistine that he offered constant
personal explanation of his ranlkest
follies. He had murdered all that was
finest in his wife, and those who knew
him best were well aware how strong
thrill OF triumph had passed through
him when Kitty's own imprudences had
swelled into a striking offset against
those which he himself had committed
81 can hit back now, if she tries the
divorce game" he had once brazenly
said in an assemblage of intimates. The
ribaldry reached Alonzo's ears, and did
not tend to deepen his regard for its
author.
On his own side Hector greatly dis
liked Alonzo. He considered him per
son besotted with many pambyisms and
fit only to loll at the feet of women
si1lier than himself. He thought that
his pranks and capers were the most
pointless bits of buffonery, and that he
was never so much in his element as
when the recipient of reluctant giggles
from Disguised observers. More than
once, during wrangles with his wife, he
had aired opinions Of this cutting sort
as to her brother, and Kitty, s.for the
sake of peace" as women often put 1t
to themselves, refrained from breathing
a word of these savageries to Alonzo.
Meanwhile, as at present, the two kiIls-
men continued to interchange civil
greetings when accident placed them in
each others path.
Dinners been waiting ages Hector
Van Santvoord now said, following his
wife and Alonzo into small reception
room off the main hall. a nook that was
all one tender bloom of rose color and
silver. Hector himself was in full evea-
ing dress; the white at his throat be-
came him, as it does most dark mea
with features clean cut.
His wife rested an arm on the mantei
and stood there gazing downward, IN
mournful apathy. A1onzo began to
draw off his gloves, and said, while do
ing SO:
ST think that-Kitty had Perhaps
suppose you-a-would dine out this
evening"
He retained no idea of what words
had escaped him moment after he had
thus spoken. It seemed necessary to
break the awkward silence, and he had
employed, with this purpose, a mecha1-
ical monotone.
Hector looked at his wife and shrugged
his shoulders. 81 told you, Kitty" he
grumbled, ''that would dine at home
4 might have sat down alone" he
went on, still more ill-naturedly, after
pausing for an answer and receiving
none. "But it occurred to me that you'd
/. possibly bring some one home with you
not A1onzo, but Jack Pcttigrew, or
some one like that" The sheer was
evident and as she perceived it Kitty
raised her eyes. While she did so her
husbands look swept her face, and he
plainly started.
you've been crying" he said.
you're crying still. What's happened?''
Kitty, as if for answer. threw herself
on a sofa and buried her face. Alonzo
went to the open door and quietly
closed it.
ga good deal has happened" he said
to his brother-in-law. And then, with
his discourse broken by his sisters audi
| BILE tears, he spoke for some time.
The end OF what he said left Hector
extremely pale. ''Good Godt' at length
fell from him. cts the most damnable
thing! It's ike-lil1e Nightmares! II
| dare say 1 saw the suicide in the even
ing paper, but I always avoid reading
those nasty things unless they're about
people I know. And that fellow,
Enthusiastically, I'd forgotten he was
| in the firm at ALL
''His names been conspicuous there for
| a number of years. returned Alonzo,
with grimness.
HE was never fit to be Uncle Craw-
ford's partner exclaimed Kitty, lifting
her head and clutching a tear-stained
handkerchief in both hands. ''He
wasn't a gentleman, as 1--we often
said. And now he's ruined us. For,
even supposing we could save five or
six thousand a year apiece, what would
such pitiful little sum be TO me? What
! would ten thousand be-or even twentyf
Oh, L wonder my hair isn't white al
ready. Perhaps it may even come to liv-
ing in the country! And don't doubt al
my diamonds will have to go! And
and my gowns will be sold around to
anybody who'll take them, as Grace
Hackensacl1's were when her husband
went to smash
you'd better wait till you know how
things really are" muttered Hector,
with lowered head and hands in his
pockets. 81 dare say they'll turn out
| beastly enough He glanced, here, al
Alonzo, and with no gentle gaze
money neglected is apt 20 be money
lost
Uncle Crawford never neglected his
affairs" said Alonzo.
Perhaps he didn't. But he's beer
getting on in years. You were a part
ner in the concern-as well as he. But
you only turned up there once q fort
night, and sometimes not even that"
81 never found myself wanted wher
did turn up said Alonzo, with indif
ference rather than good temper.
THAT was because you took no in
terest in the concerns of the firm
At this the brother-in-law OF Hector
slightly frowned. But he said, without
the least harshness: II could never
master matters of business, and think
I was wise enough to realize that mod
eSty alone makes Us tolerate incompe
tence."
''Oh, poohI" retorted Hector. Idle
ness and laziness are not Incompetence.
a flash left Alonzo's eyes then. NO,
he replied; ''if they We're. you'd be ar
imbecile."
''Oh, come, now,'' scowled Hector. 50
don't spend my time as you spend it"
True Alonzo shot back ''Yor
spend it in gambling; [ don't In drink
ing; rarely drink. In the society o,
women whom you morally despise; tc