Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-04-06


by Special Arrangement.l
CHAPTER XI.-CoNTINUED.
She spoke gravely; and the earnest
CLEAN of her eyes into his ow n told the
man that she more than suspected his
excuse for the disguise. $50 you think
it is not ball, Mary?" he asked her, alb
ruptly.
+'Shure it's not to be thinkin' I'm
paid, sor," the woman answered. "Me
aunt use to say thot tn shet mouth
caught no flies. But, whittier it do be
a fight. frolic or foot race, ye'd best
kape the fgger up to tn face. Wait q
bit, Misther Will"
She left Mckee to polish his COM
plexion with hare's-foot, standing in
q most composite attire. A heavy, low
neclxed hunting shirt terminated in
three pairs of dark tights, drawn on for
warmth; and over these depended an
ample skeleton skirt of the day draped
with dark balmoral and a massive pan
ier of stiff crinoline. Selecting heavy
gray wig of woman's hair, he quickly
adjusted it, combing the bands low
over his forehead and twisting the ends
In tight knot.
As he stepped back for final view, the
woman reentered with her ample Sun
day gown, and a poke bonnet Of I'M
usual depth and fragrant in decoration
Of green and yellow flowers. Besides,
she carried a ponderous pair of corsets,
with ample waist.
''Mither of love! but We do be fine
copy" she cried. admiringly. eyer
bids a darlin' knot an all; but thin
Ii.s an that waist shpoils the SIM
oh o11 fiyo
the corset, ''shlip under a few towels
50 fill out tn waisth, sor! Look at him,
nowy'
Mckee, selecting a massive pair of
pads, was deity fixing them in place
with safety pins.
E'Novy ship tn driss over yer hid"
-'Wait bit. ! must secure my figure
first" he answered, struggling into a
tight net shirt, and pulling it down
snugly so as to round his artificial
amplitude into natural curves. Then
the dress slipped on, the hooks fastened
and the poke bonnet in place-the
masquerader strobe heavily into the
sitting room.
|'An' I'm afther thinlin' it do be
time for bid, Masther Carroll" he said,
with deep but laborious courtesy.
''Greatl'' cried Meredith, glancing
from counterfeit to reality. ''Mary's
very self! Willie, that would be tri-
uniph for burlesque."
+EBedad, Mary shmellS a rat; and I'm
Ghinkin' it do be safe to thrust tn shpat
sV her!-Mary,"-h turned gravely to
her-''if I'm going to a ball or funeral
1t makes no difference; but want you
to keep closely in the house until re-
turn your clothes I know 1 can trust
you, and am truly grateful for your
trouble and willing help"
He extended his hand, and Mrs.
Clonan shook it warmly, but with dep
recating shake of her head When her
own was withdrawn a new gold piece
glittered in it, at which she stared GU
riously.
els 1T to kape this fur we am, sor?'
she asked, innocently.
mo; for yourself" Mckee answered
quickly changing the subject. ''Be sure
and keep well out of sight till come. y
Butt do be thinlxin' ye're bit erin
sor." the woman answered, quietly.
'"Thitn clothes bent fur rint; an shure
I'm not kapin' bhank." She laid the
eagle on the table quietly, as she added
I'm always riddy to hip tn masther
AN his frinds; most ways whin they re
shpilin' some dirty Jhob o thin blue
coats! Bnt it doesn't made payin' Mary
ClOnap, sor, to kape her face hid an her
mouth shet. May tn Holy Mither bliss
an shpeed yer thrick, Misther Will; but
kin nivver tech-thotr'
Certainly you can't! Forgive my
awl1wardness, Mary Mckee cried
with deep blush, invisible under his
pigment. But it was not intended fol-
~pay;' only little present. Anyway,
shall remember your help and trust
your loyalty always"
He shook hands again with theuwom
an, who paused in the doorway to say
''Thim pockits be dape, Masther Car
roll; an tn nights cowld. Ye'd bethel
be putin a flask o. summat in 'em. II
won't be the first, perhaps; an it'll be
naded, beyant."
Damned if she hasn't longer hea6
and truer heart than most menu Mer
edith exclaimed, as the door closed