Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1896-02-22

were a lot of mummies, the way we
have vegetated here this winter. There
hasn't been thing excepting that New
Years party at the Forsythe's, md you
know what n dismal affair that was.
Miss Payne WINGED slightly. She ccr-
tainly did know what dismal affair
the Forsythe party had been-for her,
more than for anyone else. She was
quite, quite sure that Tom didn't care
at all, and that he was glad that their
little Misunderstanding had occurred
and freed him from an engagement
that was disagreeable TO him. But she
didn't speak of this to Mrs. Easlins,
although she knew that littla person
was fully aware of the late unpleas-
antness, and was taking n flcn1ish de-
light in making delicate reference to
subjects calculated to remind her friend
of It. Miss Payne only assent"d, with
little nod and half-articulate muir.
muir, and Mrs. Haslkins went en-:
"Now, let's not sit and talk about
II, merely, but let's do something. OF
course, we can't celebrate Washington's
Birthday without costume affair.
Suppose we have sleighing party, to
wind up mt The Hills with n supper
and dance, with everyone in revolution
airy costume. And, OH" the malicious
little wretch went on, enthusiastically,
'you and Mr.. Enright shall be Martha
and George, and lead the m.uuet-a
regular 18th century minuet."
"N-no, I'd rather not" interrupted
Miss Payne, in hnlf.stiflcd voice. ~
don't-really, I'd rather not take such
n prominent part"
Nonsense, child" chirped Mrs. Has
kins, checrfully. you'll maxi, q per-
fectly lovely Martha, and Tom Enright
can be SO stately and dignified when
he chooses-nnd, besides, he's one Of
the very few men in town who can af.
ford to be seen in short trousers"
And the little woman went on to out
line her plans for the celebration, ig-
noring Gladys all-too-apparent misery,
and the poor girls efforts to decline
the unwelcome honor she proposed to
thrust upon her.
~ won't! can't!" Gladys declared
to herself, passionatcly, rs she hurried
down the graveled pathway of the
Hnskins' place. I'D rather die. indeed
I would, and still couldn't explain II
to her, even IL she does know already
the spiteful wretch! hope he'll man.
age to decline, though"
But Mr.. Enright did nothing OF the
kind. In fact. he had felt for some
time rs though he would give anything
on earth Tor IN opportunity to speak
to Gladys and tell her how sorry he was
for the way he had acted over her
dancing with Neville three times ut
the Forsythe party-thc fact being,
however, that he really had just cause
for being jealous and indignant, and
that Gladys was the one from whom
the apology was due. So, when Mrs.
Haskins broached her plans to him,
she was rather taken aback ut the
nlacrity with which he consented TO
impersonate the Fatherof HisCountIy,
for she had anticipated her usual keen
enjoyment In probing anothcr's
wound.
"The Hills" was q little summer ho-
tel situated in q pleasant valley about
ten miles from Millston, and, although
closed to the general public through
the winter. was the scene of occasional
festivities inaugurated by Millston
people. 1t had u delightful ballroom.
and, better yet, the couple who had
charge OF the premises from season to
season were phenomenal caterers.
The 22d Of February came, and
the morning ushered in delight
full weather. which, together with
q recent snowfall, combined 10
make 1t an ideal day for sleighing.
Most Of the merry-makers gathered at
Mrs. Haskins' house in the afternoon.
and Enright looked eagerly for Gladys,
hoping, yet halt afraid, that she would
be member Of the same party us him
Relf-and when ne saw her go by,
flushed and hnppy-looking, In yong
Neville's cutter, alone with that nest |
youth, he was very bit
Ger, and was almost ready to give up |
going. Put he didn't. instead, he de- |
voted himself most assiuuously to n
certain Miss Glezer, much 70 her graft
fication and the mystificaticn OF sew
eral Of tie others. who were not aware |
u his disagreement with Gladys.
There had been Q change vi pio' |