Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-07-01
CHAPTER III.-CoNrrNUED.
[CoPyright by A. n. Kellogg Newspaper Q

CHAPTER 1I1.-CONTINUED.
Atofour o'clock Clarence and Fannie
accompanied Mr.. Lloyd to the landing,
and the Sunshine bore him back up the
river.
He waved them good-by from ths
steamers deck, with his handkerchief,
and said:
81 shall look for you and Clara when
Bruce comes up"
They took seats on the wharf, and
watched the little steamer go putting
up the river, until it disappeared from
view.
Fannie said Clarence suddenly,
show long have we been acquainted ?"
''Why, all our lives; at least all of
mine. But what funny question, Clar-
ence"
Us it so? Well, Fannie, there is some
thing I lave been wanting to tell you
for long time
Clarence, do you see that bird?''
eyes, I see the bird. wish he could
whisper in your ear the words want TO
say. Now don't run away. I'VE az
here alone for once, and I must tell
you
Clarence, won't it keep till we get
home? See. it's getting dark"
<sNo, Fannie, it will keep no longer,
and besides feel drawer here alone with
you, in the gathering darkness. than
should at home. Fannie, [ have Lowell
you all my life, love you now, 1 will
love you always-Fannie. will you be
nv wife ?4there, thank the Lord you
know it now, if you never did before"
ooh, Clarence. And did that take
ibravery?'
.'The bravery of "a lion, Fannie. But
tell me, tell ms truly, can you love me -
Not any more-at 1east I think not
any more
"Oh, Fannie!''
81 was about to say, Clarence. not any
more than do now"
'And do you love me the least bit now,
Fannie?'
More than that, Clarence, more than
that. 1 love you well enough to answer
-yes-I will be your wife"
''Fannie!"
"Clarence!"
There were tears in Fannie's bright
eyes when Clarence gently took her
hands from before her face.
''Now one kiss, my little bride, to seal
the bar3Ains'
"Cracky! what will pa say now?"
Let us hope, Fannie, that he will
not object
'.How can he, Clarence, when he
knows that we love each other?"
The two happy hearts went beating
more rapidly back to the manor house,
where they found the family seated in
the parlor.
AS Clarence ana Fannie entered the
door, with their happy faces flushed
and a something about their appear
ance that spoke louder THIN words,
rs result of that trip to the landing,
the squire arose to his feet.
What, my son? What now. Fannie
You look excited" g
"Well, I guess 1 am" said Fannie.
.What do you think? I am going to be
married..
What" exclaimed Clara, when 81
and she jumped from her chair.
II don't know; but some day. Amt
we. Clarence?"
BY this time Clara's arms swere
around her, and Fannie's face was hid
den on her shoulder.
.'Well. what have you got to say, my
boy?" said the squire.
Eve said it, father, and Fannie did
not say no. am as happy as lord"
''And well you should be. Come
Puss, and give your expectant father
kiss"
All were embracing Fannie and con
graduating Clarence but Lathrop, who
had a scoYl on his features, but finally
he, too, came forward and said: 81 visit
you both joy.
Herbert had no opportunity to plead
his suit, as Clara OWNED something o.
his intentions, and gave him none.
The next evening the squire had hi:
horse and buggy brought to the door
and stass-a That he Yves going back three