The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-06-25
Stories of an inland State.

The absence OF any social incl;nations pre-
cluded the necessity of more than one suit
of clothes for Joey, the hired man. He
uagiat have dressed up for the simple COM
fort Of the change occasionally, but the
truth it, he did not. In much the same
way as Lewis Barnes had been overcome
at the funeral of Mrs. John Wright he had
fallen under the spell Of Nell Everetts fas-
c;nating beauty.
II winsome women are indeed. as tradf-
ton asserts, accompanied by small. naked
archer, he Is possessed OF a most marvellous
aptitude for instantaneous determination.
for he shoots on sight. AS Joey. the hired
man, looked upon the beautiful stranger, ne
had suddenly grown to q giant in determi-
nation, in courage and In confidence.
Two days later he creased his boots and
combed his hair and after making an effort
at brushing his Old clothes of. he started
down the main road to call upon this beau
tiful woman who crept into his dreams at
night and the very memory OF whom bade
him sing at his work. On his way down
he met the splendid Lewis Barnes driving
his spirited team and noting his finery. joey
looked down On his old clothes and smiled
apologetically.
III the mousse ne WIS SuOWn " a cCdt W
Mrs Watkins and moment later was intro
duced with Miss Everett Mr.. Reuter-, 70
the woman who was all the world TO him.
Mrs. Watkins went about her work. The
beautiful Nell sank with lazy grace into a
chair and Joey took his seat opposite her.
He sat leaning slightly over forward with
ar ease which indicated an entire absence
of embarrassment. She smiled a smile Of
derisdve amusement at him. and waited for
him to speak.
"weI," she said sharply at last. ''Is 1t
the fashion here not to talk?
do you expect me to talk?'' he said very
seriously.
Certainly" che said with annoyance.
81 shall not talk he said shifting his po-
sition so that his elbow rested On his knee
and his chin In his hand.
Then why did you Conner she asked.
ITO be entertained"
She wished 70 rid herself Of the country
boor quickly.
Dear. dear" she said "You country peo-
pie emuse me, at times, but you are dread
fully tiresome on the whole"
Then you should entertain me"
Entertain you" she exclaimed
"Why not?" he said with an evident ease
that annoyed her. You are cultured, &C
cornplkhed. and all that and am rough
clod-hopper. could only amuse you; you
might entertain me-
you will spare me dissertation on what
either might do" she said with show OF
spirit.
Miss Everett" he called sharply. 80
sharply that she lost her manner Of affected
WEAKNESS and caught herself looking him
frankly in the eye.
Listen to me a moment" he said rapid
". you are not without humor. You
would enjoy a bit Of country comedy, no
doubt 1t is within easy reach. Permf:
me-but you are a very beautiful woman.
remarkable no doubt in a great city, mar
velous and beyond belief In a sleepy coun-
try neighborhood. And am-shaIl ! spare
You a description Of myself am a day
unsoc:al fellow without personal attrac-
tons. Which you now corroborate IN your
own mind. I understand that perfectly.
1 am moderated in this neighborhood. ]
have no particular desire, outside little
play, to overcome that general conviction
in regard to myself. But your last caller,
Mr.. Barnes. is the beau Of the place. You
have treated him coldly. understand that.
His revenge will be severe"
Severe? How?' she asked with curi-
GUS little movement of her eyebrows.
1.-THE neighborhood will understand with
in q day that you have quite lost your heart
to him, but that he is Indifferent"
She smiled incredulously.