The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1897-01-01

g II NdS AlC4ClJ INC
J country-seat of
Joshua Warren, capitalist, who had
built it Just three years previously, and
it owned neither a ghost nor gallery
of solemn-visaged ancestors, As a mat
ter of fact, MIR. Warren, albeit a quiet
man, and one not given to hoasting,
was rather proud of the fact that he
had neither a pedigree nor a family
skeleton to keep him awake nights.
His principal desire, now that ne had
made his fortune, was 10 enjoy life and
t. make those about him happy without
worrying his head about genealogical
trees or ways and means of forcing him
self into the upper ten" On these
points his wife and their only daughter,
Madge, agreed with him-and being
agreed, they succeeded in making the
most of life. They were jolly entertain
eTs, and always had a houseful, more
or less, of company, usually lot Of
young people, whom they preferred as
icing more likely to make things live
ly; and during these particular holidays
they were housing at least a dozen
young folks, on account Of Madge, who
was to he married in the middle Of Jan
Uary TO VIII Braden.
There were all kinds Of jolly times
| during that closing fortnight of the old
year. The sleighing was faultiess, there
were lots of social festivities at CliVeden
Ond ncighboring houses, and there was
every opportunity in the world to drive
duh care away-yet Will Braden, de-
spite his approaching marriage with
quite the sweetest girl in the world, was
unhappy. Not all the time; for oc-
Casionally Madge would devote to him
an entire five minutes, all at once, there
by filing him with ecstacy-after
which, alas! she would neglect him for
hours together to attend to her duties
as hostess, whereupon he was plunged
into despair, and became gloomy and
sullen, much to the amusement of all
the rest, who called him Hamlet" be-
hind his back, and cracked jokes about
"green-eyed monsters" and so on, to
the mystifeation of Mrs. Warren, who
earnestly insisted that poor, dear VIII
lies" eyes were not green, but hazel.
But there was no doubt that VIII was
jealous, just as most young men are
likely to be when the attentions of the
adored one are demanded in other quar-
tiers, even though by the laws of hos
pitality. He told himself he didn't mind
it, but he did. What CALLED him partic-
ularly was the presence of that pedi-
greed prig from Philadelphia, Mr.. Mar
tindale, whom he had long suspected of
a sneaking affection for Madge, who, by
the way, was particularly pleasant to
him, not 10 say somewhat confidential
with him. For, at least a half dozen
times, VIII had seen them, apart
from the rest, talking in guarded
tones about something or other,
and at these times both had looked
very serious. 1t was getting past en-
| duranee, decided MIR. Braden, and he pro
posed to put stop to it. So when they
returned from their sleighing party, on
Jew Years eve, he drew Madge, who had
seemed to be flirting desperately all the
evening with Martindale, into a recess
in the hall, where he proceeded to pro
test with much vigor against the treat
ment accorded him
Madge laughed merrily, then pre-
tended to be offended. Don't be an
idiot, Will" she said, sharply. Il think
know what I'm about"
"You know nothing of the sort, OF
else you don't care!" declared VIII
with some heat. 1T seems to NE I an
entitled TO some consideration, instead
Of which you do your best to make me
ieei badly and to make a laughing
stock of me. Darling" he went on
more gently, this is the last year oI
our single lives. Can't we watch it Out
md the new one in just by ourselves
since the New Year means so much tc
US both9"
Madge was touched, but for some in,
serutable reason did not choose TO let
him see it just then. Don't be 4 spoon,
Will" she answered, pettishIy. "Wev,
Ell cur lives to be 'spooney' in, and, be
sides, I have other obligations" Sh,
turned and left him, regardless of Tia,
pleading, rePrOachfui eyes that she
knew were following her, and for III,
rest Of the evening she hardly noticed
him at all. Indeed, he kept out OF th,
way as much as possible, for all Thu
merriment vas to him, in his pEeseni
mood. gail and wOIynwood.
lie had just returned from lonels
smoke in the library, and, somewhs
sosshed. was returning TO Join ID,
otAess wao Wsss gathering about thl
BIZ sp.s2 q ghaf seed tiFz