The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1893-06-02
CHAPTER L

!: !.
ACIzxAEttS fail to impress
jVa5Il HZzzNM) h the most care
hMSpfIlN w less observer
1NI 3Rf&$81aG12NMhl VI The atmosphere
aEllS7S4hlW seemed charged
wit anticipa-
f1fE?fx ton, whic h
EEVI<:' found express
sion in subdued but agitated activity
during the entire forenoon. The old
place held its breath, as it were.
Without. a Sabbath-like repose en-.
wrapped all things. In the ample front
yard, where more than u dozen century
old live oaks conspired to discourage
the growth of the grass, leafy shadows
were reflected from freshly -scarified
surface of hard brown earth. The
White Cliffs carriage-drive made a very
grand sweep from the big entrance
gate around the outer circle of the old
live oaks up to the low succeed front
steps, on either side of which thick beds
of purple and white violets cushioned
the brown earth and were even. then
sweetening the chill November air.
In one of the large square rooms
which looked out upon. the flower,
garden at the side of the house, the en-
tire family of White Cliffs, with two
exceptions, was assembled. Those
present consisted of the mistress OF
White Cliffs and three of her sons.
THE Lorimer boys" with one ex-
ception, were great, broad-shouldered
long-legged, stalwart young men, with
square determined jaws and fine eyes
Their height and their square jaws
were maternal contributions. Then
good looks and indomitable love OF
rowing came from the Lorimer side.
People said there must be trouba
dour or two in some of the branches OF
the Lorimer tree. The boys were
always falling into sentimental scrapes
of one sort and another. And certain il
was, nothing irlted them more than
sitting decorously around the house
''like SO many tabby cats" as RATE
contemptuously described it.
They looked absurdly i'll at ease this
quiet afternoon, grouped idly about the
open fireplace, with. nothing more
active on hand than watching their
mothers fast-hying knitting needles.
They would have felt infinitely more
comfortable with their guns upon their
shoulders, their trousers securely
tucked inside their top boots, their dogs
at their heels, and murder in theiI
hearts. But the spell of the unusual
was upon them too. The guns were ali
stacked in one corner of the green
tinted hall, the dogs We're in exile, and
with their three pairs of restless feet
encased in faultlessly polished foot
gear, the Lorimer boys sat decorously
about the home hearth, patient and
bored.
The mistress of White Cliffs was
dressed in her best black bombazine
over which she had thrifty drawn a
crisp white muslin apron. She was
knitting. Divine Providence had laid
the memorable necessity upon Mrs
Lorimer of always keeping her hands
occupied. She always was knitting il
she was not doing something else
Apart from the swift-fying fingers, she
was absolutely motionless The rest
lessness which on the boys part found
expression IN the shutting of feet, un
repreSsed yawns, or an occasional eX
pletive indicative of wearled patience
was only to be suriniscd in her case by
the unnecessary frequency with which
she jerkcd fresh supply of wool from
the big gray ball in her lap.
Her eyes, not big and soft and gray
like the "Lorimer eyes" but small
blue and penetrating, never once left
the dancing flames of the wood fire
Her strong, square, masculine jaw
| twitched occasionally; but whatever hei
source of inward disquiet, it found nc
other expression. She sat there the en-
| bodiinent of self-contained strength.
The neighbors were fond of. saying
that ''the Lori,aer boys never would
know what they owed their mother >
That they were fully conscious of he,
worth, and that they still stood in con
siderable awe of her, great burly fell
lows that they We're, was beyond ques
ton; but their awe was mixed with the
tcnderest reverence.
Suddenly scuffiing of hurried bare
feet; then the big mahogany door was
| opened, without the ceremony of q
knock, to admit round woolly heao
and n small eager voice:
81 see her smoke for true this time
Mister Dick"
There was common uprising among
the men. The mistress Of White Cliffs
alone sat still. Whatever 1t was they
were all waiting for. 1t must come tc
her. not she to ii. She would not even
meet it half way. Her needles fairly
flew. and she gave an audible gasp as
the boys disappeared into the hall. Shf
knew they had gone to the veranda fol
the twentieth time, at least, to lool
toward the river through the vista cut
IN the woods about White Cliffs in or
der to give its inmates view of up
coming steamers.
They all came trooping back present
", bringing various reports:
UP above Dnncan's," said. Lorimcr
resuming his chair, and laying one long
brown hand along the arm of his moth
er's rocker. II was as If he admins
tered comfort thereby.
"Just turning the bend" said Dick.
Moving like a SNAIL" said Raphael
commonly known as ''Rafe."
at will be an hour before she gel.
here yet. them" said Mrs. .Lorimer
dropping stitches in most reckless
tmanner, and for the first time in he,
life, perhaps. failing to detoct ant
promptly rectify wrongdoing.
Just about"
| Dick replaced his soft felt hat on hi
knee-cap and looked about the familia
room In a new spirit of criticism. I
was a severely clean room, but rathc
depressing in its heavy splendor. Dicl
frowned at it all. 1t looked unwelcom
ing.
"a Jew flowers wouldn't disagree will
those big vases" he ventured. lookin.
away from his mother towards the man
tel ornaments above her head. ITO m,
ertain knowledge, those pampa
)lumes have been there six months
Things look sort of dun-colored, dom
hey, mother?"
At this directqucstion, Mrs. Lorimer'
eyes Travelled. slowly from the ding,