The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-11-06
PART L.
CHAPTER N,-COyTINUEl

CHAPTER IV.-CONTINUED.
She tripped out into the passage,
returning with the tray which she put
on the tabl. beside Clarence, and then
standing back little and with her
hands tucked soubrette fashion in the
tiny pockets of her apron, gazed at
him with a mischievous smile.
1t was impossible not to smile back
as he nibbled the crisp Mexican cake
and drank the old mission wine. And
Susy's tongue trilled an accompani-
ment to his thanks.
Lord! it seems SO nice to be here
Just you and me, Clarence-like in the
old days-with nobody naggin' and
snoopin' round after you. Don't be
greedy, Clarence, but give me cake"
She took one and finished the dregs of
his glass.
Then, sitting on the arm of his chair,
she darted violet ray of half reproach
and half mischievousness into his
amused and retrospectiveey eyes. There
used to be room for two in that chair,
Klarus."
The use of the old childish diminu-
tive for his name seemed to him as
natural as her familiarity, and he
moved little sideways to make room
for her with an instinct of pleasure,
but the same sense of irrespensibility
that had characterized his reflections.
Nevertheless, he looked critically into
the mischievous eyes and said, quietly:
"Where is your husband?"
There was no trace of embarrass-
ment, apology or even of conscious
ness in her pretty face, as she replied.
passing her hand lightly through his
hair:
80, Jim?-I've packed him Off"
Packed him off" echoed Clarence,
slightly astonished.
"Yes-to Fair Plains-full tilt after
your wife's buggy. You see, Clarence,
after the old cat-that's your wife,
please-left, I wanted to make sure
she had gone, and wasn't hangin'
round to lead you off again, with your
leg tied to her apron string, like a
chickens! No!-I said to Jim: Just
you ride after her until you see she's
safe and sound in the down coach from
Fair Plains, without her KNOWN it,
and if she's inclined to hang back or
wobble any, you post back here and
let me know!' told him would stay
and look after you, to see you didn't
. bolt, tool" She laughed and then
added: But 1 didn't think l should
fall into the old ways so soon, and have
such a nice time. Did you, Clarence?"
She looked so irresponsible sitting
there with her face near his, and so
ehildishly or perhaps thoughtlessly
happy, that he could only admire her
levity, and even the slight shock that
q her flippant alfusion to his wife had
given him seemed to him only a weak
ness of his own. After all was not hers
the true philosophy? Why should not
these bright eyes see things mere clear
ly than his own? Nevertheless, with
his eyes still fixed upon them, he con-
tinued:
"And Jim was willing to go?"
She stopped, with her fingers still
lifting lock of his hair. "Why, yes,
you silly-why shouldn't he? I'd like
to see him refuse. Why, Lord, Jim
will do anything 1 ask him." She put
down the lock of hair, and suddenly
y
just the difference between him and
me and you and-that woman!"
"Then you love him?'
about as much as you love her."
she said, with an unaffected laugh,
"only he don't wind me around his
finger"
No doubt she was right, for all her
thoughtlessness. and yet he was going
. to fight about that woman tomorrow!
No!-he forgot-he was going to fight
Capt. Pinckney because he was like
. her!
Susy had put her finger on the crease
between his brows which this suppose
ton had made, and tried to rub it out.
you know it as well as 1 do, Clar-
ence," she said, with pretty wrink-
ling of her own brows, which was her
nearest approach to thoughtfulness.
You know you never really liked her.
only you thought her ways were grand
er and more proper than mine. and you
know you were always a little bit of
a snob and n prig, too, dear boy! And
Mrs. Peyton was-bless my soul!-a
Benham, and planters daughter, and
II was only picked-up orphan!
That's where Jim is better than you.
Now, sit still, goosey!-even if don't
like him as much. o, l know what
you're always thinlling-you're think
ing we're both exaggerated and the
Atrical-ain't you? Don't you think
it's a heap better to be exaggerated
and theatrical about things that are
lust sentimental and romantic than to
be so awfully possessed and overcome
about things that are only real ?
There, you needn't stare at me so. It's
Sruel You've had your fill Of grandeur
and propriety, and-here you are!
And" she added, with little chuckle
rs she tucked up her feet and leaned q
little closer to him, "here's mel"
He did not speak, but his arm quite
unconscious.y passed around her small
waist. you see, Clarence" she went
on, with equal Inconsistencies of the
act. you ought never to have let me
go-never! You ought to have kept me
here, or run away with me. And you
oughtn't to have tried to make ME
proper. And you oughtn't to have
driven me to flirt with that horrid
Spaniard, and you oughtn't to have
been SO horribly cold and severe when
did. And you ougk tint to have made me