Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-07-13

stretched out my hand, took my hat.
and rose to my feet. made some
little noise in neutrality-suspicious. more
than l need. But Flo did not turn
round.
''JAst fancy" said she, as though she
were enjoying conversation with the
window-pane, ''if this sort of thing
happened when we were married! And
unless you changed very much, it"
If it were enough for me tc
change" began, loftily.
''Now," interrupted Flo, still adj
dressing herself to the window-pane,
sit doesn't matter. We can just sepa-
on being together"
Something struck me in this last OBJ
servation. / laid down my hat.
''Gad, so we should!' said l. THAT
would be rather queer"
"We should have to stay in the same
house-even in the same room some
times!' And Flo's graceful back was
agitated with a shudder.
1--WE should" | assented. II suppose
you wouldn't speak for the whole even
ing?"
I'VE should have to keep up appear.
ances, and seem to be friendly when
the servants were thcre-and-oh, it
would be awful!''
l put my hands in my pockets and
surveyed Flo.
"What should we have to do?" ]
asked, with curiosity.
make loathsome pretense of-o4
still caring for one another, suppose, u
said Flo, with groan of prospective
horror.
But what should we have to do?"
persisted. I wanted details. Should
we have to talk?"
Eyes, snapped Flo.
"Should l." 1 pursued, taking a
step towards Flo, have to kiss youo"
''Oh, 1 suppose wonder why you
don't go!"
"And would you have to kiss me?'
To this question I received no an.
swer at all. But 1 was bound to ex.
tract one; I could not leave the matter
unsettled. So rang the bell.
''What are you ringing for?" said Flo,
facing round suddenly.
For the footman," said /, noddina
my head.
81 should have thought you could
find your way out" and she right
about-faced again.
Then William opened the door.
''Did you ring, sir?" he asked, OBJ
serving, suppose, that Flo did not ap'
pear to want anything.
Eyes, William, L rang. I want"
''It's mistake, William" came sud,
denly from the window.
mo, it isn't" said I. ST must ask
William
Nonsense, Dick! It's only Mr.. Van
sittart's joke, William"
''Wcl, them" said l, ''can we do il
without William? If SO, he can 60"
There was the slightest of pauses.
Then Flo said:
Eyes, you may go, William"
William, looking somewhat puzzled,
withdrew; and then Flo, much flushed,
turned round once for all.
81 can't Think said she, show you
can be so foolish. don't know what
you'd have done in another minute"
''I should" l answered, have kept
up appearances.
Flo's lips twitched a little. I saw il
| in moment.
st is perfectly useless for me-" l OBJ
served, plaintively, to try to escape
from you. Your resentment is not tc
be relied upon for o quarter Of an hour.
I am nearly heart-broken about Phil
| ippa March"
''Weu, I'm most sore about Capt.
Worsley."
But" said I, I'm going to be man.
I'm going to forget Philippa and keeE
my word to you. Will you put the cap
tain out of your hearth"
''rl try" said Cousin Flo
Because you know if, after we are
married, you speak of him with re
greet"
''or if you seem to wish Philippe
had
''All those terrible things will hap
pen"
Eyes, I know, Dick. Are we really
wise TOTO risk it2"
knitted my brows. 1t was really {
serious question. I studied Flo!
features.
I'm puzz led" answered. YOU'RE
very charming, Flo, but"
Il don't trust you, Dick"
There was a long sad pause. FlC
held out her hand with gesture O
farewell. Hooked in her eyes. I tool
the hand.
1T is really BEST" said Flo, gently.
81 suppose it is" said 1, rather for
lornly, squeezing her hand
Marriage is such an irrevocab biz
step" Flo reminded me.
well, anyhow, it's very trouble
some to"
"And if" interrupted Flo. ''when i
was too late, when we awolze to thu
fact-No! G-good-by, Dick!''
''Good-by, Flo said much moved.
Thus we parted. took my hat, and
without a backward glance, startet
for the door.
At this moment, curiously enough
the door opened. William came in.
please, miss" said he, teas read,
in the drawing-room."