The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1897-10-29
ChPThIN CLOSE
BY CAPTAIN CHARLES KING.
Copyright, 1894, by ]. B. Lippinco;t Col
XVIII.-CoNTINUED.

dress. had promptly sprung 10 his IeeI
10 salute them. but they recognized
him instantly and heartily shook his
hard and congratulated him on his re-
coycry and on the honors he had won.
And then it transpired that he, too,
had come to see if he could be OF serv-
ice to Mrs. Sweet, and Warning suddenly
bethought him of a story he had heard
about the Quitman days. fellow OF
infinite tact was Waring when he chose
to be. and, after q few words of cordial
greeting to the fair passengers, he
winked at his comrade, the aide
de-camp. as he said he must hasten
back to battery duty. And so, even
when the sergeant would have DEFER
entially fallen to the rear, it was that
distinguished non-commissioned Off
Ger who gave his arm to the younger
of the two ladies in response to war
ing's calm Mr.. Walton will take charge
of Miss Sweet" and while the mother
was led away to the waiting carriage
by the staff officer, well knowing that
the mother-made engagement was at
all end, the daughters little hand
slipped trembling upon his arm. What
minutes threading of dusty, crowded.
freight-heaped wharf was not con-
fessed by either until two long years
after. The ladies went on to Calves
ton that night, and Walton's face was
radiant when, two days later, he came
back home; and then he could have
hated himself for his selfishness when
he saw Esther.
"Why, where's Mr.. LAMBERT" was
her startled query, as she met him at
the gate. Only the moment before as
they saw the boat splashing away from
the pier had Katesie. with madly beat
ing heart, run from her side to battle
her flushed cheeks and hide in her room
until she heard his voice on the veranda
and the first greetings were over, and
then she would summon up all her
saucy spirit and go tripping down to
meet him with due nonchalance and
levity. She had planned it all, poor
child, rehearsed the little comedy time
md again, and was steeling herself to
act her coquettish role, when her SIS
ter's words and Floyd's reply fell upon
ner astounded ears:
He had to go straight on home. His
mother is ill.,"
And not until then did Katesie Walton
know that she, too, had surrendered.
All things come to him-or her-whc
knows how to wait; even an absent
lover. even the era of peace and good
will between estranged and warning
sections, even the end of long story.
Another wear rolled by on clOgging
wheels and wrought many changes
throughout the sunny south. A daunt-
less spirit had drifted from this to q
better world. Reverent hands laid the
wasted form of the lady mother under
the grand old live oaks close to tine
shining Shore" and the Walton house
hold, grieving, yet glad that the long
years of suffering We're ended, gave up,
against his vehement protest, the ref
nge which the beneficence of stranger
had afforded their beloved in her de-
Ginning days. The sisters went with
Scroggs to his new home in Texas.
where pioneer railway company had
rendered him employment. Here Floyd
could sometimes visit them, stalwart
sergeant who gratefully declined the
offer of influential men to procure his
discharge. saying that he meant to
serve every hour of his enlistment.
Here. within hail of the cavalry trum
pets and sight of the national flag.
there often came to spend the day Al
fair-faced girl, n northern blonde. the
very antitype to Katesie's southern
beauty. and the blue and the gray
looked love and trust when each gazed
into the others eyes. for some remark
able bond of sympathy had linked
cenevieve Sweet and Kate Walton in
close companionship.
Here, too, were received and an
swered letters increasing in frequency.
and one ever-to-be-forgotten day,
from n far distant post. there suddenly
appeared very proper young fellow
in the conventional travelling garb of
the period; and presently Jennie Sweet
bethought herself that important.
household matters had to be looked
after ut the garrison. and Esther had
her marketing to do and must do it.
And 50 there was no one left to
entertain him bu: katesie-and the
cat; and even the cat was very much in
the way-in Lambert's way. that is. for
the girl had the ungracious creature ir
her arms. covering her with undesired
caresses. the instant after Esther's de-
Earture. The porch was vine-clad,
shaded and inviting. but Katesie per-
versely insisted on the steps and the
lot morning sunshine; pussy loved the
warmth and sunshine. Lambert sought
10 stroke and caress Sabina. since
Sabina was held tight over humping
little heart and close under rosy lips
and 'dimpled chin and soft. flushed
cheeks. His finger-tips thrilled at the
delicious proximity. and Sabina mag
netically perceived it and Indignantly
set back her ears and Missed, wherea..
he pinched her ears and was promptly
hidden to go sit ovuh yawnduh # you
Cahnt leave huh yuhs alone" where
upon he transferred his attention to
Sabina's lashing tail and precipitated
q row. Sabina clawed and struggled:
the outraged caudal bristled like "a bot
tie washer; Katesie sought to soothe
with more hugs and kisses and those
emotional and passionate mouthings
which women lavish on their feline
favorites. "Oh. UNI Cattums. -um
Kittums!-um Possums!-um Twee-
tums!" rapturously exclaimed Miss
Walton through her close pressed lips,
as she buried her nose in the fluffy fur.
n