Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-03-16


resistance, and being a high-spirited
girl she made no effort at reconcilia-
ton with her lover although
she very soon came to the con
clusion that she had been wrong
from the first, and most so when she
had SO hastily broken their engage
ment. She had been startled and dis
tressed at the result of her own action.
and had almost determined not to go to
the toboggan party that had been the
cause of the trouble, but in a proud de-
fiance of her own feelings she had sud-
denly changed her mind and had gone,
With flushed cheeks and flashing eyes.
she donned her bewitching dark-blue
blanket suit and crimson togue, and
had accompanied her escort to be the
brightest and gayest of the gay, the
life of the rollicking party-and the
most unhappy girl in the world Oscar
Gerard was delighted, though very
much surprised. He had of late found
Miss Clifton rather cold and repellent.
while always polite. Tonight She was
much more than that; she was genial
and friendly, and continued to be so
whenever they afterwards met. In
deed, he was soon seen at her fathers
terms of equal intimacy. Gerard had
more than one been heard to say that
the next time he asked Agnes Clifton to
be his wife she would not refuse, and
that when the chance came he would
not scruple to treat her as she had
treated him. His was a vindictive and
ignoble nature, and Robin Adair had
gauged it rightly, so that when his
,C1o l. L.
they only confirmed his distrust of him,
In the meantime, Agnes and Gerard
were much together, and when at last
the young man thought his opportunity
had arrived, he looked forward with
pleasure to the realization of his re-
venge.
One morning in early spring he called
to see her. The snow had melted and
disappeared, and with it the last vestige
OF resentment in Agnes Clifton's heart
against her lover. Would he never for
give her? All, had he indeed left her
forever? How should she bear it-she
who loved him now more tenderIy, more
passionately, more devotedly than ever
Oscar Gerard watched her as she
stood by the window looking out, and
entirely misconstrued the wistful look
on the pale cheek, the pathetic glance
IN the half-tearful, violet eyes.
"Agnes!" he said softly.
She turned and looked at him, reused |
out of her abstraction.
"1es?" she said questioningly.
He came over to her side
Agnes, you seemed troubled. Can
L help you?" A flood of color passed |
over her face dyeing it from brow to
throat. Could he help her? Oh, least
OF all could he do so! She trembled |
and drew back in some confusion.
Darling, 1 love you! Still, and in
spite of what you have said, [ love YOU!
Let me make up for the falseness of
others! Let me"
She raised her hand to stop his words.
She gazed upon him in CONSERVATION
and dismay. She had grown deadly
pale.
You are entirely mistaken, she said.
No one has been false to me. [ my
self broke the engagement with MIR.
Adair, if it is to that you refer, but that
fact can make no difference in nv re-
lations to you. I am sorry if you have
cherished any thought to the contrary"
And she looked up with a reproachfuI
glance.
Oscar Gerard was furiously angry
both enraged and embarrassed by the
sudden overthrow of his expectations.
Il have been simply cat's-paw, then,
used to bring Robin Adair once more to
the 'front.'" he said, between set teeth.
Miss Clifton was taken somewhat
lback by the accusation, which she felt
that she could not altogether deny
However, she called her woman's wit to
her aid, and rose to the emergency.
1ou had your answer from me some
5ime ago" she said, coldly. "I never
lreamed that it could be thought other
han final
A woman has been known to change
Ter mind, he answered satiratically.
In the case of Mr.. Adair, for instance
do you look upon your dismissal of
lin as final?"
Again Agnes colored wildly, but she
lrew herself up haughtily." We need
lot discuss the subject further This
Interview has grown somewhat painful.
dr Gerard. We will end it, please"
She bowed slightly, but did not offer
ler hand as usual
Oscar Gerard took one angry step to- :
ward her. +,
1t shall not end till you have learned !
what / think of such conduct as yours 7"
lie cried, fercely. ut has been base
md unwarantable! It proves you to be
! heartless flirtr '
"Indeedl / have never before been !
,alled upon to deny or resent such an
accusation" she said Then she looked 1
It him fxedly. Your manner is not /
hat Of a wounded lover, Mr.. Gerard!
have been told that l was to be Tilted J
n return for my refusal to be your
wife. I had not believed it. Perhaps, q