Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-04-07
CHAPTER VI-CoNrINUED.

My tongue, as usual, had OutStripped
my hating brain. 1 was still in my
salad days and novice in the art of
dialogue.
81 suppose" said Gerard, carelessly,
shat you shave fallen in love with
Nancy"
The question took me so completely
bysurprise that my stupid face flushed
scarlet. I began to realize that this
man, whose bodily presence was so con-
femptible, was, conversationally speak
ing, dandling me in his arms.
@I don't blame you" continued Ge-
rard, in his most matter-of-fact tones.
@She is a pretty girl and very intelli-
gent. It would interest me to know
whether-er-she-"
mo; she doesn't"
~sThank you. like to be posted. No
no; don't frown. I dare swear that
she will say yes, and you may live to
wish it had been no."
He had dropped his tone of banter and
spoke gloomily, in sour, raucous ac
cents. This man had achieved much
that the world prizes. His keen brain
and extraordinary acumen had borne
him triumphant upon the top wave of
success. Now that he had brought his
theavily-freighted vessel into safe har-
iborage, he had leisure to read the log
and estimate the wear and tear. I
watched him as he leaned back wearily
against the well-padded cushions of
the buggy and made a small calcula-
Efson. Divide wealth, as many millions
as you please, by health, subtract time,
and what is left? Answer, the man be-
side me, haggard, wizened, Prematurely
gray.
s So, after all, he had seen the COM
Npiieation of my falling in love with
,Nancy-had counted the probability as
gain, an extra rivet to bind me to his
service. What a puppet had been!
I'm sorry the boy is from home"
he muttered. SCI should have enjoyed
seeing him. Demetrius is overcautious
"a fault on the right side"
He asked me innumerable questions
about the lad, displaying his talent for
cross-eSamination, and with it his re-
1narkable love for his son. Mrs. Gerard,
It appeared, had been kind enough to
give me more credit than I deserved,
and her husband expressed his aPpreci-
alton of my efforts in a characteristic
fashion.
"Tou are not giving me value re-
ceived," he said, brusquely, 'but you've
done all asked, and more"
I wondered whether Mrs. Gerard in
her letters had mentioned my eXcur-
sion into Cupid's domain, and answered
che question in the negative.
tim q generous man." Gerard con-
tinuede with that curious infection in
his voice which had remarked when he
had pressed upon me his rarest wines;
<-and my stepdaughter-you have found
out, of course, that she is my step
daughter-will be handsomely dow
cred. dare say I shall give her pic
Gure or two-that Constable perhaps
il
'sIf--'o I repeated.
%If she marries the right fellow
What, asked myself. did he mean
That there was meaning behind every
word he spoke could no longer doubt
Why did he remind me of spider
Why = humiliating reflection : did
compare myself to fly? These ques-
tons were adequately answered later
Our talk for the present was over. The
lights of the house were in sight. The
familiar roar of the surf became louder
and louder, and the dogs, a brace Oh
handsome bloodhounds, bayed melodi.
ously.
&By Jupiteri" said Gerard, sharply
Athat is the voice of Demetrius."
strained my ears in vain, but large
figure doomed suddenly in the fore
ground.
<'That you, Demetrius?" my compan
ION shouted.
EYES," came the measured response
sit is L"
The Greek, however, had no intention
Of stating his business in my presence
He assisted his master to descend from
the high buggy and followed him re
spectfully into the house. I remained
xv1th the horses and helped the coach
szzan. Jap Byers, an excellent fellow, t.
nHhitch them-and his tongue. III
ehattered yoiubly.