Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-12-24
XIX.

WHICH Lie nCiOS grew POI SIISd eiho OOiA-
hued and the dust lay deep on the high
ways. The breeze, when it blew, was
from the land, but much of the time
there was a calm, even more oppressive
than the heat-laden zephyrs. Against
such conditions the energies of but one
of us were proof. Mrs. Loring alone de-
fed the heat and glare and dust, going
on with her preparations for the fetc
with undiminished energy, amid the
wondering comments of the rest, to
whom all unnecessary exertion had be-
come thing to be abhorred.
Goodness gracious! how she do keep
goin' so beats me-" Mrs. Weston confded
to me one afternoon, when she had
sought the comparative GOODNESS the
office offered.
''She seems to thrive on high tempera-
tures,'' said I. "She's a human sal
anander.'
swell, let that be as it may" said Mrs.
Weston, who was not to be entrapped
into a definite statement on such a
doubtful point. "she's marvel, must
say. 'Tain't like, now, as if she had to
work for livin'. But that's jes' the
way the world seems to go. Them that
don't need gets; them that wants to
rest has to keep stirrin'. IF twas her
niece was rushin' round, 'twould be all
natural, because she's got her ivin' to
get sooner r later. If I was in her
place I'd be plannin' and savin' like
good fellow
'Why should she?'' I demanded.
"Her aunt must be at least well to dc,
and she's nearer to her than anybody
else.''
"Oh, come now, don't you know about
Mis- Loring's money!
"No. Honestly, so far as I know,
she is quite able to provide for her
niece. What do you mean?"
Mrs. Weston's face shone with the
joy of telling story new to her nearer.
ooh, it come straight to me- said
she. ''Mis' Loring told Mis- Clark, and
got it right from her. Mis- Loring's
husband left her jes' interest in his
estate, and when she dies it all goes
back to his folks. She gets the interest
every year, but she can't touch the prin-
cipal. So Miss Gray can't get anything
from her, though, of course, she pays
her bills now
perhaps Miss Gray Las an income of
her own,'' suggested.
mis- Loring says not. Her pa was
kinder shif'less, and didn't leave
her nothing. Mis- Loring's taken care
of her ever since she was little girl"
I sat deep in thought long after Mrs.
Weston had gone back to her household
duties. Did her news please me? So
far as the girl was concerned, 1 was
heartily sorry to learn that her pros
poets were so uncertain; so far as the
tidings affected me, I rejoiced. I was
free to press my suit, to ask her hand,
undeterred by the dread of a misconcep-
ton of my motives. At least one of the
obstacles had been removed from my
path.
When meditation had become a.
weariness-and when one is in love it
requires a vast amount of brain-rack-
ing to produce this result picked up
my hat and left the house, greatly in
fuenced by the hope that Miss Gray
might be tenapting some shaded nook
in the neighborhood. Somewhat to my
surprise, she was walking slowly down
the road.
We're going boating" she explained,
when I overlook her. cit is so oppres-
sively hot on shore that both aunt and
decided that it could be no worse on
| the water. Then, too, there is a chance
| that we may find some breeze stirring
on the bay. Will you not join us %
with pleasure" said L. But how
does Mrs. Loring contrive to spare the
time? She is supposed to be busy
| day and night with the arrangements
| for the fete, you know
80 she isl said the girl, with =
smile, 'but when. ] proposed that she
| should take a vacation for few hours
| she saw the wisdom of the idea. She
| will follow us to the boat in a few min
utes. Really, I think it was the allure
ment of a little trip on the water which
won her over to leaving her designs
and programmes. She is devoted to
| boating, you know; it is surprising that
she has resisted the temptation so often
| lately. She has been out with me hard
| ly half a dozen times; and Mr.. johnson
has had but one pupil at his sailing les
sons.''
"And how have you improved them %
'My teacher is 1attering. But per-
haps may be able to display my salll
| in a practical way, if only we get a
breeze this afternoon
Count on me to be a severe critic
said I. by the way, Miss Gray, do you
mind if / combine business with pleas
| ureo I have an, GRAND IN do AFT Mr.