Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-02-16


ing for its solution not only tact and
ease in society usage, but courage, in
teligence, and diplomacy as well
Of old historic family on both sides,
and with unstinted means, the Gilmor
Grays were facile leaders in the gayest
events of that eventful winter; and to-
nights musicale-simply an informal
one, almost impromptu, to which guests
had been hidden only the previous day
was eclipsed, in quality at least, by
no previous occasion
Miss Westchester had finished q
sparkling rendering of a Chopin waltz,o
when her sister was led to the piano by
a cabinet minister. The deep hush
wrapping all in the MUSHROOM through
the notes of Gounod's Jewel Song
for Faust was then a nBvelty in
Paris-brolze into spontaneous rush Of
gloved hands together, demanding its
encore. The light of weflwon praise
lit the girls richly colored face, as she
raised her dark eyes from ringing
lashes. Suddenly they fell upon a new
conner in the doorway, and the light
quickly changed to a deeper and more
meaning one. But she quickly dropped
| her face, and her fingers idly touched
the keys again
Handsome fellow, that quite dis
| tingue,' the cabinet member said, fol-
lowing her glance, then letting his own
rest adIniringly on the face she did not
raise to reply:
'An old friend of-mamma's Did
you never meet him before, judge?"
Scarcely possible, Miss Bessie the
dignitary answered Even among the
| thousands of new faces, would not
forget that one. But we are forgetting
what is more important-the encore"
''It shall be a simple old ballad,
| then,'' she answered; and again she shot
one swift glance into the dark eyes Of
Peyton Fitzhugh, elegantly languid in
evening dress. He made no movement
save to smooth, rather foppishly. the
| black hair brushed low on his broad
brow. Next instant all the fire in the
girls vibrant soprano was ringing in
that old rebel ditty: Charlie Is My
Darling" The elegant traitor listened,
to the very last note, leaning lightly
| against the door frame, but with no
changed expression on his strong, quiet
face. Nor did he respond to-even If
he caught-the quick glance the singers
eyes again sent him with the last note,
| but his gloved hand joined in the ap-
| plause as the bachelor functionary at
the piano, bending over the girl in evil
dent admiration, said, softly:
''Enviable Charlie Miss Bessie. But
| fou certainly do sing Scotch ballads
con anore.'
ssThanl. you,' she answered. Simple,
unscientific as they are, some of them
are great favorites of mine. This, for
! Instance
| She broke quickly into the Eltfu1
melody: t'An the Blue Boanets Are
Over the Border But the glance she
sent. to the doorway as its accompani-
ment was lost. Eitzhugh had been re-
placed by a blonde youth wearing per-
feet clothes, and his own particular
smile upon his fair, chiseled features,
undeniably aristocratic- His own par
| ticular knacE, too, elevated his arched
| eyebrows wonderingly, yet never
wrinlzling his soft, boyish forehead A
| character in his own patented way,
hiding carefully any strength OF char
acter he had, universally popular for
plainly admirable traits and perfect
manners, was Mr.. William Howard Nc
| Kee-
a noted society man." spite OF his
unattained majority and almost girlish
gentleness, he was descended from ga
signer-' on his mothers side. from
| wealthy ancestry on both He was,
too, a budding wit, whose good heart
and unfailing tact made him as popular
with the club set as he was with the
german by divine right OF heels
But peculiarly was Willie Mckee
facile princeps IN all private theatricals
and amateur performances, ever famous
IN BaltiInore-his lightning changes,'
being most famous
Scarce perceptible query Of his brows
brought Eghtest reply from the girls
dropped lashes; and Mr. Mckee saun-
tered down upon the cabinet Minister,
like .sthe Assyrian'
ITo BE Continued .
TIE fune which conveys the water