Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-03-09

around me, should be worse than base
to think of such light things. Once,
perhaps, 1 was very different the red
glow burned ON her face once more, the
firm lips trembled an instant, ere she
went on gravely-'but, even then,
those rumOrS were idle"
Forgive me, dear, ! believe Oh!
Caro-, 1 forgot; serious things drove it
out of my head; but aoAo do you suppose
was here tO-night?'
''How should I guess?" There was
more of WEAKNESS than of interest in
Miss Clay's reply; but Unborn courtesy
forced the addition: II am such a
stranger-an exile-now''
can old friend of yours; and very
good one, too, they said. Frankly, do
not ike him, though it may be DIR.
Fell l think he should be in the army
OH" army! But otherwise he's just
splendid. Guess
1t would be useless Miss Clay an
swered, absently, glancing at the clock.
THANK Heaven, it is two o'clock
mo, you could never guess Bessie
rzn on, full of her romance. SIT was
Peyton-''
-'Peyton Fitzhughl'
Carolyn Clay wheeled round upon the
sitting girl, towering over her with
eyes that blazed in equal anger and
amazement. ''Here? Tonight? In
this hCuse?''
''Why not, dear? He is an old friend
of mammals, and very popular here
with both setS.''
EtWhy not? Do they not know that
Why, Bess, he was the" With blaz-
ing eyes, clinched hands, and laboring
bosom, Miss Clay stopped suddenly.
What it was she herself could not have
told; but again that inner something
stronger than her impulse and indigna-
ton, dominating her helpless will
whispered: peace: be stilli' She stood
silent, rooted to the spot, staring at her
friend.
81 knew you would be surprised the
other went on. ''And really, Caro-, you
do seem to recollect very well, consid-
ering your denial just now. If mere
name carries such talisman, 1 do not
wonder SO much at your unfeminine
curiosity as to that unselfsh hero who
saved you at risk of a halter"
Over Carolyn Clay's face, now pale as
death once more, swept thoughts too
swift and complicated for translation
by the ineXperience that watched it..
But, seeing them, the younger woman
ceased badinage, and, rising quickly,
passed loving arms about the tall form,
nesting her head upon it's tumult-tossed
bosom.
Forgive me, darling" she whispered,
softly. II was silly, thoughtless. I,
too, know what it is to care for so me
one Were 1 separated from WILLIE
Abruptly, almost roughly, Miss Clay
ignored the caress and repudiated the
suggestion.
''You are wrong-dtterly wrong,
-child?' she cried. 81 do not care for
that-that man. On the contrary, I
hate-despise him. He is not fit to let
your feet spurn him-far less to touch
your hand. Does not your mother know
suspect"
''What?" Bessie's eyes grew wide
with wonder, as the other paused sud
denly. '.Why, Caro-! 1 never saw you
so excited-so worked up. 1t must, in
deed, be something terriblei Tell me,
pLease!'
Miss Clay's face darl1ened, and her
breath came hard and quick. She
-clinched her hands iercely; but still she
did not speak, only staring at the other.
4n0I, viii d great SuOrI, she turned
deadly white face, lit by cleaning eyes,
npon her:
Bessie, that man is He it was
who" Memory, gratitude whatever
stronger feeling it may have been-was
too much for her. Again she broke
down, sinking in her chair and covering
her face, with the piteous moan:
.sOh, Godi I cannot!-cdnnotl'
Wondering more still, but still deep
ly sympathetic, Bessie Westchestel
watched this unwonted weakness of the
woman who had been her model of fear
lessness and strength.
Only one instant, though. The next
she was kneeling by her side, her arms
close about the heavihg bosom, her lip
pressed upon the glorious, bowed head
Forgive me, dear! Please forgive
mel Twas silly even to mention him