Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-09-28

fanny crI0u herself 10 steep GHdt
night. Dewey didn't seem to care a
pin whether she dirted with Capt.
Aymer or not.
The next day she went out horse.
back riding with the captain. Kent
sat on his horse like a centaur and
Fanny came back rosy as whole bed
of carnations.
Are you going with us to the Cedar
| Falls tomorrow, Fanny?" asked M.
Dewey that evening. 1--WE said soEle-
thing about going together week or
SO ago, didn't we?"
Fanny was ready with her lesson.
Ibid we? had forgotten; besides,
promised to go with Capt. Aymer."
with Capt. Aymer? Oh, well, all
right, I'll take Julia Symington."
Fanny's lips quivered, but Hide
garde shook her head at her, and she
did not call back the young English
man, as had been her impulse.
Capt. Aymer proved most devoted
cavalier and Fanny half reproached
herself that she had enjoyed the day
so much.
Its very wrong OF me, sighed Fanny
to Hildegarde, her faithful confidante.
mo, it isn't; it's exactly right" re-
sponded Hildegarde.
IL begin to be afraid he don't care
for me-"
Hes brute" asserted her friend;
land it will serve him right if you
never look at him again.
So the glowing midsummer swept by
and Mr.. Dewey held aloof, hugging
himself to think how he was outwitting
the conspirators, though an occasional
twinge of jealousy now and then
passed through his mind.
Presently there was a sore cutlery
among the allied forces. An order had
come from the memorable war depart
ment and the captain must go some
where on the frontier straightway.
THE matter was beginning to get q
little serious" he thought, land just
as soon as that COMPOUNDED puppy gets
away I'll make little Fanny a happy
woman. Maybe, though, it would be
well to punish her for a few days
longer"
'Oh, Fanny, Fanny, aren't you
sorry?" sobbed Hildegarde, clinging
around her tall brother, whose face
was unwontedly grave.
Eyes, Hildegarde," said Fanny, II
am very sorry"
Capt. Aymer looked penctratingly
into her face. There were real tears
quivering and sparkling on her eye
lashes and the roses had all paled from
her cheeks.
Fanny he said, impetuous1y, sis it
from your heart?"
Fanny-silly little creature that she
was-began to cry, and Hildegarde
rushed forward.
''Oh, Kent! You promised that"
"a man isn't responsible for his fate,
and have fallen in love with her." ex-
claimed the young officer. Fanny,
am | to love you in vain?"
Fanny tried to laugh Historically.
''Of-of course; all this is only part
of the programme" she faltered.
''By Jove, but it's not!" cried Aymer
What was jest has become earnest.
I love you, Fanny; 1 cannot leave you
here to become the bride of that
self-conceited puppy. Tell me that
may hope!"
Hildegarde seized both her friends
hands.
''She loves you, Kent-she loves you.
l can see it in her eyes!" she cried ex-
ultantly.
''Stand aside, Hildegarde," said
Aymer. 81 have the first right here.
She is mine now And he took her
tenderly to his breast.
Yes-it was true that the little NOR
sci of acting had become strong, life
long reality. Kent and Fanny had
played at lovers" until love, the shy
rogue, crept into both their hearts
with almost unperceived footsteps.
Are you happy, Fanny?" demanded
the exigent army officer when all was
settled and Hildegarde had gone to
tell Mary Bell as a great secret" how
the little stratagem had ended.
''Oh, Kent" whispered Fanny, Il
never knew what true happiness was
before"
And Capt. Aymer must have been
unreasonable indeed not to be satisfied
with the answer.
He departed, carrying in his keeping
the loving little heart of Fanny White.
Ralph Dewey contemplated the de-
parture of Hildegarde's brother with
no small degree of satisfaction.
''Now's my chance he thought. 81
guess, on the whole, I'll not keep her
in suspense any longer, poor child.
only wanted to let 'em see that /
wasn't to be coerced."
Mr.. Dewey proposed accordingly in
due form that very day.
Il am very sorry, Mr.. Dewey" said
Fanny, looking provokingly lovely,
''but-but I'm engaged"
"Engaged?'
"Yes-to Capt. Aymer."
''Now, Fanny" said Ralph, argu-
tentatively, where's the use of carry
ing on this pretense any longer? OF
course know it's all stratagem."
''But it isn't stratagem," said Fam
ny, Indignantly; II love him and he
loves me-and there's my ring"
She held up a pretty finger as she
spoke, whereon glittered a solitaire
diamond.
60 Mr. DoUou foI1ud h;uSalf or1froa