Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-02-22

would think we
were a lot Of mummies, the way we
have vegetated here this winter. There
hasn't been a thing excepting that New
Years party at the Forsythe's, and you
know what a dismal affair that was
Miss Payne WINGED slightly. She GER
tainly did know what a 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
J and freed him from an engagement
shat was disagreeable to him. But she
didn't speak of this to Mrs. Haskins,
!, although she knew that little person
was fully aware of the late unpleas-
antness, and was taking fiendish de-
light in making delicate reference to
subjects calculated to remind her friend
of it. Miss Payne only assented, with
q little nod and a half-articulate MUIR
muir, and Mrs. Haskins went on:
Now, let's not sit and talk about
1t, merely, but let's do something. Of
course, we can't celebrate Washington's
Birthday without a costume affair
wind up at The Hills with supper
and dance, with everyone in revolution
airy costume. And, OIL" the malicious
little wretch went on, enthusiastically,
'you and Mr.. Enright shall be Martha
and George, and lead the minuet-a
regular 18th century minuet."
"Nno, I'd rather not" interrupted
Miss Payne, in half-stifed voice. IT
don't-really. I'd rather not take such
a prominent part"
Nonsense, child" chirped Mrs. Has
kins, cheerfully. you'll make per-
fectly lovely Martha, and Tom Enright
can be SO stately and digrified when
he chooses-and, 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-
1noring Gladys all-too-apparent misery,
and the poor girls efforts to decline
the unwelcome honor she proposed to
thrust upon her.
81 won't! 1 can't!" Gladys declared
TO herself, passionately, as she hurried
down the gTaveled pathway of the
Haskins' place. I'D rather die, indeed
would, and still couldn't explain it
TO her, even if 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 as though he would give anything
on earth for an 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 al
the Forsythe party-the 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 preached her plans to him
she was rather taken aback at the
-alacrity with which he consented &c
impersonate the Fatherof HisCountry
for she had anticipated her usual keer
enjoyment in probing another's
wound
1.-THE Hills. was little summer no
tel situated in pleasant valley about
ten miles from Millston, and, although
closed to the general public through
the winter. was the scene of occasiona
festivities inaugurated by Millsto1
people. 1t had delightful ballroom
and. better yet, the couple who hac
charge of the premises from season t.
season were phenomenal caterers.
The 22d of February came, anc
the morr ing ushered in delight
full weather, which. together witt
recent snowfall. combined Il
make it an ideal day for sleighing
Most of the merry-makers gathered e;
AIRS. Haslxins' house in the afternoon