Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-01-01

who, In his uncouth way, was evidently
disposed to nll good-humored friendll'
ness toward his employers daughter.
"It Is hair that I shall greatly apprc-
ciate, at oil events. It was very kind
Of you to give It to me-" she said, nod
ding him farewell as her father Joined
her; but when they had ridden around
the first turn Of the zigzag road, she
observed, very decidedly: "He seems q
good-natured, well-meaning man, but
I don't like him, all the same. Doyou?'
"Who?-McCready?" the colonel re-
turned. staring absently ahead.
"Yes;" but her father appeared to
have forgotten the question. "Do you
like him?" the girl persisted, leaning
forward to look ut his face.
"Great heavens! why should II" he
impatiently replied. II never trouble
myself to think whether like man
personally or not, SO long rs like the
way he does the work hire him to do.
McCready keeps the mine in pay. That
Is the great thing, with this internal
lawsuit to soak up money like sponge"
"What Is the lawsuit about, papaf"
she rather coaxingly inquired, after q
moment OF thought. "It occurs to me
that don't know much about It."
"That's where you're In luck. Iwish
I didn't"
"AIines generally appear to be quar-
reling about something" she tenta-
lively observed, by no means to I've
turned from her purpose by the tart
tone.
at Is Heavens way OF feeding the
lawyers" the colonel sententiously de-
clared. adding, after an instant, "and
the other rascals who serve as wit
nesses."
"Was It one Of your witnesses in this
lawsuit that you went to see this aft
ernoon?" she shrewqly demanded,
struck by something in the tone Of tho
last words.
The colonel looked family surprised.
"He is one of my witnesses now" he
returned, with grim emphasis on the
last word. "But, for heavens sake,
Dorothy, what has come over you:
You remind me of your mother"
Dorothy laughed, too well accus-
toned TO such overt attacks upon her
mothers methods to think of resenting
the imputation in her behalf. The
truth OF the matter was that the late
Mrs. Meredith, seeking to pry with ILL
advised pertinacity into such matters
rs the colonel regarded us his own pri-
vate concerns, would have been rele.
gated to her legitimate sphere OF in
terests with scant ceremony, while at
the same time the deprecating meek
ness with which she had ever submitted
to his brusque methods OF belittling
her had only served to increase bound
lessly the colonel's contempt for such
I'm unassuming type of woman. He was
secretly proud that his daughter hal
inherited a pluckier poise, complacently
persuaded that every quality he ah-
mired in her was direct inheritance
from himself; but at the same time he
had habit. which the girl. who had
greatly loved her mother, keenly re-
scented when she stopped to think about
1t, of coolly charging to her mothers
influence whatever about her he hap
Lened not to like. Everybody says
am so much like you'll" she demurely re-
Joined, whereat the colonel laughed cp-
preciatively, his passing i'll humor for
gotten.
"You did not answer my first ques-
tion," she protested, presently, her
manner making it quite apparent that
rebuff had no effect whatever upon her.
Il asked you what the quarrel between
the mines is all about?"
"And to oil intents I answered You
that considered your ignorance bliss.
However. IL you must know, the gist o.
the matter Is that this man Neil claims
that / have been stealing ore out Of his
mine"
81 knew Us much as that before; but
what I do not understand is upon what
possible grounds he could bring such
charges against you"
The colonel smiled indulgently. shrug-
cling his shoulders. Clearly the girl
was bent upon pursuing the subject to
the earth. "He claims that the Grub
stake levels have been carried beyond
the side lines into the Mascot territory.
Il happens that he made very rich
strike in the ground where the Grub
stake lode crosses his claim. He
thought he had distinct vein-that It
was his ore all right; but when we be-
gan drifting from our side we found
that our vein made turn at that point,
that II was the Grubstake lode into
'ehich he had blundered-that being
the prior location. / was in no hurry
10 get involved in legal controversy. ]
preferred to go on quietly with the de-
work until I could be abso-
lutely sure in the premises; and SO 1t
that Neil got ahead Of me in
this suit. / think, however, that we
,hall have little difficulty, when The
time comes, in proving to him the error
" his ways" There was cool amuse-
nent in the smile that just lifted the
.nds Of the blond mustache.
ado you think he can be honestly mis-
taken in the matter, this-person?"
Dorothy asked, her cheeks flushing q
title with the question, eager interest
n her eyes.
"Oh, certainly. Why not? So much
depends upon the point OF view, You
Snow. In Neils place should think
he same rs he does, and make the very
irme fight, without any question. Bust
ness is business. We can't blame man
or taking what he can get"
4 ~ l.. ~ L.