The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-01-08

you did not put in appearance. Be
sides, as we are partners with Long
worth in this, and as he is going away
On account of the mine, l think it would
be little ungracious of us not to 60"
very we'll; will go. Shall call
for you, or will you come for me?"
81 will call for you. and we will ge
there together in a cab. Be ready about
eight o'clock"
The mansion of the Longworths was
brilliantly lighted that night. and John
felt rather faint-hearted as he stood
on the steps before going in. Tie
chances are he would not have had the
courage to announce himself if his
friend Wentworth had not been with
him. George, however. had TO sucn
qualms, and was much more used to
this kind of thing than his comrade
So they went in together and were
warmly greeted by the young hostess.
1T is so kind of you to come" she
said, ION such short notice. was
afraid you might have had some prior
engagement and would have found it
Impossible TO get mere.
"You must not think that Of me-"
said Wentworth. II was certain to
come; but l must confess my friend
Kenyon here was rather difficult to
manage. He seems to frown on fash
ionable assemblages, and actually had
the GOODNESS to propose that we should
both have prior engagements"
Edith looked reproachfully at Ken.
yon, who flushed to the temples, as
was usual with him, and said:
Now, Wentworth. that is unfair. You
must not mind what he says, Miss Long
worth; he likes to bring confusion on
me, and he knows how to do it. l GER
tainly said nothing about a prior en-
gagement."
"Well, now you are here, hope you
will enjoy yourselves. 1t is quite al
informal little gathering. with moth
ing to abash even Mr.. Kenyon"
They found young Longworth there
in company with Melville, who was to
be his companion on the voyage. He
shook hands, but without exhibiting
the pleasure at meeting them which his
cousin had shown.
"AIy cousin" said the young man.
"seems resolved to make the going of
the prodigal nephew an occasion for
killing the fatted calf. I'm sure /
don't know why, unless that she is
glad to be rid of me for month"
Edith laughed at this and left the
trived to make himself very agreeable
to the young ladies who were present,
but John, it must be admitted, felt
awkward and out of place. He was
not enjoying himself. He caught him
self now and then following Edith
Longworth with his eyes; and when he
realized he was doing this he abruptly
looked at the floor. In her handsome
evening dress she appeared su-
premely lovely, and this John Ken
yon admitted to himself with a
sigh, for her very loneliness seemed
to place her further and further
away from him. Somebody played
something on the piano, and this was,
in a way, respite for John. He felt
that nobody was looking at him. Then
a young man gave recitation, which
was very well received, and Kenyon be-
gan to forget his uneasiness. A Ger
man gentleman with long hair sat
down at the piano with a good deal of
importance in his demeanor. There
was much arranging of music, and,
finally, when the leaves were settled to
his satisfaction, there was tremendous
crash of chords, the beginning of what
was evidently going to be a troublesome
time for the piano. In the midst of this
hurricane of sound John Kenyon be
came aware that Edith Longworth had
sat down beside him.
81 have got every one comfortably
settled with every one else" she said
in whisper to him. land you seem to
be the only one who is, as it were, out
in the cold, so You see have done you
the honor to come and talk to you"
1T is indeed an honor" said John,
earnestly.
"Oh. really" said the young woman,
laughing very softly, you must not
take things so seriously. dIdn mean
quite what I said, you knOw-that was
only as the children say, pretended.
but you take ones light remarks as if
they were most weighty sentences.
Now. you must look as if you were en-
tertainiEg me chaTmingly, whereas l
have sat down beside you to have a
very few minutes talk on business.
know it's very bad form to talk bust
ness at an evening party, but you see
have 10 other chance to speak to you.
l understand you have had several
meetings Of shareholders, and yet you
never sent me an initiation, although
l told YOU that l wished TO help you in
forming a company, but that is the way
you business men always treat a
woman"
Really, Miss Longworth," began
kenyon, but she speedily interrupted
him.
II am not going to let you make any
explanation. l have come over here TO
enjoy scolding you. and am not to be
cheated out of my pleasure"