Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-16
The OLD SILVER TRAIL.
EY MARY E. STlCI(NEY.
copyright 1896. by J. B. Li2pincott Col
CHAPTER VIII.-CoNTINUED.

What manner of man could he be, to
thus to her, almost stranger? While
with more feeling in his voice he added:
at almost brings a swelling in my
throat when 1 think of all she does for
lne-of all her love-the dear little
Incther!"
your mother!" Dorothy repeated,
supposedly st did not know
thought, perhaps" she stopped short,
her face crimsoning painfully.
Neil laughed, eXquisitely flattered
that she had evidently given thought
to possibilities of tender significance in
the token; but his face grew grave, al
most sad, as he said: In all my life,
Miss Meredith, there has never been
any woman who would do as much as
that for me except my mother. l am
almost afraid there never will be-"
"And your mother-she is in the east,
I suppose" the girl hurriedly observed
9 Neil smiled, by no means dull to the
little ruse to change the subject, but
he perceived the wisdom of following
her tactful lead. And so he talked of
his mother, his boyhood days and the
old home; passing thence to general
topics, which, although he scarce knew
it, really showed him at his best; for
not only could he talk we'll on most sub
jects when he tried, but he had that
better gift of the conversationalist. a
sympathetic intuition to draw out the
others thoughts, SO that Dorothy. Who'll
" at ease, was presently chatting as to
an old friend.
Only once did he venture upon any
betrayal of his deeper feeling, and that
was when their mission to the old hut
had been accomplished and they had
almost reached the main road on their
way back, when Dorothy drew rein,
hesitantiy suggesting that they would
better part.
81 have been expecting you to say
that" he good humoredly rejoined;
land of course it is all right But be-
fore you leave me, stop while pick yorl
some of these mariposa lilies; they are
the bluest I have ever SEEN"
They are beautiful; thanks" she said
delightedly, as she took them from his
hand, almost alphabetically adding: 81
am so fond of our Colorado flowers, of
everything that blossoms, in fact. 1
would almost like to see a Thanksgiving
for the flowers inserted in the church
service"
would you?" he answered, dreamily,
lingering close beside her upon pre-
tense of admiring the lilies. 81 dare
say we do take too much for granted
in respect to the pleasant things OF
earth. But don't you think there is
certain thanksgiving in every thought
of appreciation 1 like to think we do
not need to put everything into words.
Friends who love each other need not
always be talking to be understood;
and it would seem that the all-embrac-
ing spirit of nature that we call our Col
might be in such close communion with
the fa1tering, tongue-tied soul as to I'M
derstand and even better than the hu-
man friend ali that we leave unsaid."
Eyes, perhaps" Dorothy murmured.
with somewhat of surprise in her
glance.
"You do not agree with me quite"
at is u beautiful thought" she said.
ioubtfully; but is it orthodox"
do you find heterodoxy unpardon-
able?"
81 did not mean to imply that And
such heterodoXy as yours" She
looked at him thoughtfully, leaving the
sentence unfinished. But is it salts
flying, do you think, to let things go
forever unsaid?''
Some things-perhaps not. In fact,
it is extremely unsatisfying at times"
He looked at her with something in his
eyes before which her glance fell, while
instinctively she gathered up the rein
as though she would go. For in
stance, it seems shame that I should
be with you here and not tell you how
often L have thought of you since that
worlds fair night; how many times l
have wished that I might see YOU
again.
You did not think then that was
Col. Meredith's daughter she i'm
oulsively exclaimed.
And do you think that think Of it
now-that it counts as anything as be-
tween you and me?" he impetuously re-
torted. TO me you are simply your
self-the little worlds fair lady OF
whom I have been dreaming for year
You are
Don't, please, Mr.. Neil" she hur-
riedly interrupted. You may forget
that I am my fathers daughter, but I
cannot. And now, I really must leave
YOU Thanks for my flowers and good
by
But waiti" he peremptorily inter
posed, coolly Selling her horse by the
bit. Il suppose 1 must not ask when
there is any likelihood of our meeting
by chance-again.''
If you did, should tell you that I
have no idea," she quickly returned.