Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-02-23

tasted nothing but coffee since I got
home. You know my love for it? Well,
| I'm the moral bachelor of the club now. 81
you always were; but now you look
it," the other laughed back.
''That's exposure. Just back from a
duck hunt" Meredith retorted, with a
| quick glance in the mirror. ''That con-
founded nose of mine colored like a
meerschaum years ago; but am regu-
lar Father Mathew, now
''Well, try carom game while we
talk Fitzhugh proposed. 81 suppose
your morals won't blush if drink a
| glass of champagne? I've been at a
swell musicale; but it was too union
there to suit my taste, so 1 slipped off
before supper. Carroll, why does Mrs.
Gray
The other man had crossed to the
rack. At the name, the cue he grasped
hung half suspended, as he wheeled
and stared at the speaker.
courteously. 'EI had forgotten that
Gilnnor Gray was your cousin. But,
really, to as the bluecoats must CRATE a
bit. l suppose there's good reason for
it sonetimes-diplomacy, CONVEYANCE,
much of it myself
Carroll Meredith glanced cautiously
and quickly about the room, then into
the hall, approaching the table as
though about to say something serious
Then, suddenly changing his mind, he
asked, bluntly:
why didn't you go across, then?
You're Virginian, great rider and a
crack shot. Mosby needs men; so does
Stuart But perhaps my question is
mot the least in the world,' Fitz-
hugh replied, suavely. 1--WE only
been back awhile, and I'm SO deuced
lazy, you know. Besides, there's moth
ing doing across just now. In the
spring l will be in my native state
And, Carrol''-he drew closer, looking
steadily in the others eyes, and his
voice grew vibrant, with solemn ring
in tiff the end does not show me
worthy of my name and race, may you
an-may God Himself-curse the trail
tors grave in which lie.''
The Marylander extended frankly
his strong, brown hand, as he said,
warmly:
Pardon my awkwardness, Peyton.
I'm a blunt, rough fellow, not one of
yOu SOCitCy E1cli, DuG III man enough
to recognize another when I meet him
know you're al right, old boy. The
fellow that ut-boxed, out-wrestled and
outran me at Charlottesville, that took
away my prettiest partner at Mabille,
could never funk! I'll hear of you yet.
Here, Sam!'' he called to the negro ad-
vancing with the wine cooler, 'sbring
another glass!-Peyton, old fellow, III
take just one drink to your coming
shoulder straps!''
The clock on the mantel chimed
eleven as the two men drained their
glasses. The Virginian's black eyes
shot one anxious glance at the dial;
then, as they rested on the frank, ruddy
face of his companion, something crept
into them that was not all pity, nor yet
wholly contempt. For Meredith smacked
his lips, crying with laugh:
''A-ah! that goes to the spoti By
George! it's like rain after drought!
It's your play. Here, Sam, ill this up. %
And he drained another foaming goblet
of the ice-cold wine.
Somehow Eitzhugh played very b.
billiards, missing easy shots under I.
friends good-natured banter.
Hang it, my nerves are out of gear, -
he cried, as he lost a simple carom.
Finish that izz, Carroll; it's a wom-
ans drink at the best. 1 want a
bracer. Here, Sami' = he struck the
gong on the manufacturing me some
cognac."
Finish nothing." the other player
retorted. THAT bottles empty already
Bring two cognacs, Sam Damn It'll
bring the bother