The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-06-13

II ~
| John Wright's hired man. gave no atten-
ton to their charma
This indifference was cause for remark
| among the young women. and In the man
ner of their sex, they no sooner discovered
I Joey's vulnerability along this line. then
they began to storm him with their most
tremendous pieces.
When he had first come into the neigh
bcrhood Joey had attended church, but after
two meetings had retired under Q daS4ling
fusilade Of saucy glances which came slip
ping down upon him over fans. from be-
hind pews. yes, even through the windows
in fact. every way he had turned.
So he had given up the church. His alb
sence was marked much more quickly BY
the young women than by the minister. 1t
was q most gallant victory for the rosy
checked contingent and they forthwith be-
gan the construction OF other traps for
'Bashful Joey" Madge Barrett was the
ring-leader In the crusade against him.
A party was arranged. a surprise party.
. species Of social entertainment which
bears q glarinG falsehood for . name. for
no one ever Is surprised, and far from CIV
Ing Joey 4 chance TO escape In any way,
Madge arranged to put him on the gTiddie
In spite Of himself Word was sent peremp-
torily TO joey that on Wednesday evening
he was expected to can At Miss Madge Bar
retts at seven O'Clock In . single buggy 70
take Madge to a surprise at old man Ell
kins'. the surprisers TO meet at Gilkns.
The bearer Of this mandatory epistle,
fresh from Madge delivered II to ''Bashful
joey" who vas al work In the field.
Joey lifted up his bushy head and said
rather ,emphatically. emphatically that is
for mild Joey:
$50 Madgs sent you over with that mes
saser
Yes. SIR" answered the messenger.
'Is her heart affected?"
"She didn't say said the country lad
who brought the missive.
well, you tel her that ] said tina: II
she had more heart and less gall would
be on hand. but under existing c.rcum-
stances. shah not attend the surprise par
ty with any one"
The boy. went whistiing away az II this
message were commonplace. Madge re-
ceived II ana was partially amused and
Fpartially angry over her rebuff.
Put for two years Joey had been undis
turbed. That choice epigrammatic bit of
irony which he had dispatched to Madge
had secured him immunity from the teas
ing cohorts OF the not too cultured neigh
borhood.
But saucy Madge had never quite forgot
ten her rebuff. Today she was walking
up the dusty road when she espied Joey
hceing potato hills. She went up to the
fence and took OF her sun-bonnet and let
the sunshine CLINT in her black locks. while
she picked small bit of sticky gum from a
ros!n-weed and began to chew 1t
Hello" she said.
''Hello.~ he answered without looking up.
"Hoeing?" she asked.
"No. dancing" he answered.
'Smarty! Quoth she.
He went on hoeing. with extreme care to
break UP every clod which he turned up
and In an attitude Of anticipation.
Madge could have played q strong game
'then by simply turning and going away.
But she played weakly by remaining. This
was her own opinion at night.
Say Joey" she drawled out, stretching
her apron strings from her teeth.
go ahead" he answered still hoeinH
'You don't like me. do your
Joey stuck his hoe savasely into the earth
and said. coming up to her with puzzling
air of timidty:
WHO told you thatr'
b, ''But you don't care for me now. do you?
Honest?"
He smiled-so stupidity. Madge thought.
There's bug on your shoulder" she
said, "a snake-feeder. O-oooh!'
KNOCK 1t off," said Joey with q voice
rather husky for such an ordinary request.
'Will you like me IL I do?" she asked
''Its already jumped away" he said.
Madge was enjoying herself immensely.
Nov look here. Joey" she said coQuettish-
ly. You know I think a great deal OF
you. I know that back OF your bashfulness
you have a very warm heart and that while
you are awfully ugly. you are read good"
He caught her quickly here by a question.
asking:
Honestly. Madse, do you think I am
ugly?'
Terribly ugly"
He did not smile and she meant to pInion
him while she had him captive
"Oh you're perfectly terrible-everybody
thinks that"
The man flushed under this Information
so that you could see the flesh reddening
even under his heavy black beard.
But have always liked you. Joey" the
girl went on, "just the same and you have
treated me nke-dirt."
Like dirt" he repeated timidly.
Just like dirt" she repeated tenderly.
Tenderly-for II Is the feeble deceit OF low
ers to use words merely as vehicles Of emo
t:onal tones-so that while Madge had no
idea that dirt and his treatment Of her had
any points Of similarity she felt that she
was wrapping the bands Of her charms
about him and had him almost secure.
She was sure Of II when his breast re-
ceded under the discharge OF q massive
sigh and his eyes frightened perceptibiy.
She resolved now on Q bold stroke. to en-
slave this man and having enslaved to
throw him heavily In revenge for his for
mer fr.gid treatment Of her.
She took his hand fearlessly and drawing
that big brown member TO her lips kissed
ii and said:
Joey. don't you love me!''
His movement was almost 200 swift for
a man who had, a moment before been
bushing so deeply, for he took her quickly
in his arms and kissed her.
AT the same moment he glanced half
furtiveiy. perhaps jocosely up and down
the road. There was no one IN sight
Then DO you love me. Joeyy'she asked
almost in a whisper.
"of course do
"And you will always love me. joey"
That's going too far"
Going too far. Joey What do you |
mean
II can't tell what I may think tomorrow"
Tomorrow. Why lovers Joey. swear eier- |
nal fidelity"
Yes. and break their word"
why, Joeyr'
That's right II I love you rfSht now /
that ought 10 satisfy you. You've no right /
TO ask possession Of my affection fornor-