The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-01-20


with Boughton one da- IN all the p, g Of
his new u pings, fu ID and really look
ing quite gallant. judith ad still the adj
vantage of that half inch, but the boy was
sturdier than at seventeen, and carried
himself very well
They arrived about shutdown, and the
Colonel, being confined to his room by
very sharp attack OF govt, they had some
chocolate in Judith's ''Tea Caddy." The
hard times OF sweet-potato coffee and
blackberry-leaf tea had not yet changed,
and Judith's chocolate was above praise.
Boughton cast a rather curious look about
the room as he sat down, and Judith hand
ed him one of the wide, shallow cups that
he remembered. 1t was all just the same,
all except the kitten in the Toby-oollar, who
was now a sedate matron with two chill
dren, who had each inherited Toby collar,
as much ike their parents as possible.
:: Boughton took one upon his knee, and
Dick captured the other, while Judith min
istered to their mamma with bits Of cake
soaked in the chocolate.
81 say" remarked Dick, suddenly, ''by
- if it isn't only week from Christmas.
Do you remember the way you trotted OF
and left US on Christmas Eve three years
ago, Cousin Phil You do, don't you,
Judy?"
Judith said! 'oh, yes,' that she remem-
Boughton, who was smoking one of the
Coloners old Cabanas, lazily stroked the
paw of the kitten on his knee with the unoc-
cupied fingers Of his cigar hand. Judith
Thought she detected smile-the wrath of
smile behind the smoke haze. She drew
herself up, and very naughty look came
over her fair, frelit features.
"Assuredly 1 remember it, said Bough-
ton, all of sudden, when Dick, who was
in %o,.TnoOfinor hia xiffcn nv
pulling It's Toby-collar half over its ears,
had forgotten that he had put the question.
81 should think did, - he wenton 1.-THE
thermometer was only fifteen above zero,
and the wagon got stalled in Il snow drift
before we were half way to the station
Judith again waxed perceptibly taller.
She would have added two or three cubits
to her stature If she could have done so.
She told herself that she hated her cousin
Philip Boughton very much indeed.
''Well, Jude certainly made lovely
present out Of you, anyway" laughed Dick.
''And, [ must say, she appreciated it. I
don't believe IT'S been of of her arm for the
last three years "
Boughton could not repress a quick look
in Judiths direction. She was making fire.
screen out of one of her long hands, and he
could not see her expression for the shad-
ows from her fingers. But, by and by,
when Dick went out for something or other,
he pitched his cigar into the fire and went
over beside her.
Have you really worn that trinket all
this time?" he said, with more of curiosity
than any other emotion apparent in his
voice.
Certainly" said Judith, stif1y. 'FYou
were very good in sending it to me, and
was very rude to you.'
She got suddenly to her feet and stood in
front of him.
"Cousin PHIL" she said, in a quick, vi
brating tone that he hal never before
heard her use, Il began three letters to you
about that, but 1 was ashamed to send
them. 1 was afraid you would not read
them. 1 was sorry-I-I am sorry" she
ended, under her breath
There was pause, but before he could
speak, she had turned back the sleeve OF
her gray gown from her pretty, blue
veined arm, and had unfastened the dull
gold links, with their sapphire settings.
Here" she SAID, holding it out to him;
'I-I ought not to have kept it. always
meant-to return it 10 you"
"Dld youl' said Boughton, in somewhat
curious voice.
He allowed her to put the bracelet in his
hands, stood turning it about in the glow
from the fire which made daylight i'll the
big, blue stones.
"Of course you don't expect me to keep
it!' he said at last, looking up at Der.
"Why? why?'' she said, rather blanlzly.
80, well, because like to fancy you more
consistent than other women, perhaps. You
know it Wouldn' be very consistent to tell
me that you were sorry for a rudenesS in
one breath, and then to commit another in
the next. Would it, nows"
"I-don't understand said the Lady
Tongue, who seemed all at once to have
hcI~ 1oip To hot
'@Why, you see,:' Phil went on slowly,
sit isn't very civil to return q gift. May
put it on for you2''
She stood perfectly silent for fully a mo-
ment. There was no sou nd save from the
softly cracking fire. Then she held out her
arm. AS he slipped the bracelet back into
its place, he said, quietly:
"Tiiat was a very pretty custom among
the Jews, was it not!-the custom of having
betrothal bracelets
did they?" said Judith, indistinctly.
''Why, you must have read of it. The
lover put on the bracelet and then pushed
back his sweetheart S vail for the first time.
Your hair is like a vail. Judith"
SIS it!" said Judith.
There was hammering at her ears, and
his voice came to her iTndiissttip: tly. She felt
that he vas drawing her hoatrer and nearer
to him by the arm that he still held, then
his hand was on rar hair pushing it back
from her temple and eyes. Then his
mouth upon her mouth.
She seemed suddenly to break, from a
81 1. She pushed him from her with
IL =; ut and main, and stood apart, shudder-
ing but erect
''You-you- think that you have only to
command, Sir Oracle,'' she said, in a
steady voice. She even smiled little
Then she took of the bracelet and laid it On
the table hatyaeO them
clean not wear il, !" she said, very clearly.
"And dad will be wanting me now. Good
night"
She was gone, and Boughton stood for
several minutes with his chin set in his
thumb and forefnger, booking down at the
pretty blue and gold kickshaw
1t was just three days after this that a
rather lively skiFmish took place in the
Min-Meadow.
It was an encounter between Boughton's
men, who were on their way TO join General
- at Gordo vile, and a regiment that