Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-11-25

ing smilingly back. nodding greeting
and salutation to the ladies on the
verandas of the various quarters as she
passed, yet walking eagerly SO as to be
at the gate, as was her habit, when her
captain returned from stables; seeing
which, some of the younger officers
tried to detain her or impede her way.
1.-THE captain has stopped to take a
drink at Buxton's, Mrs. Grafton. I
wouldn't hurry if were you" said one
mendacious, mischievous sub. 'I1l
leave it to Merriam if he hasn't" there
by OBTAINING Merriam. who was just as
eager, apparently, to reach his own
gate and receive the fond welcome in
Floy's deep, dark brown~eyes. Others,
TOO, joined the laughing conspiracy, and
gazing beyond them and seeing moth
ing of her lord among the groups still
farther to the rear, she as laughingly
surrendered and entered into joyous
chat with her captors-the sight of one
of the youngest, brightest and fairest
of their number surrounded by half a
dozen gallants, being naturally a COM
fort to the 1ookers-on along the quar-
would have deserted them and gone his
way she was just coquette enough to
care to hold the exhibition-and her at
tendants-a moment longer.
"Oh, Mr.. Merriami Don't go yet
I've really important news for you.
Who do you think is coming to visit
us?'
Randy had no idea. He smiled po-
litely. even pleasantly. and said he
couldn't imagine.
"Well. but guess" persisted Mrs.
Grafton, her very pretty face very full
Of Importance.
1.-THE Walkers. from Stoneman % sug-
gested Randy.
mo, indeed! Nobody from that way.
It's from the east
Mrs. and Miss Pollard, from Marcy 90
''Not bit Of it. No army people at
all, but somebody you know very well
and like very much"
Then Randy began to look queer, but
still couldn't begin to guess. 'fFm sure
I'm at a loss" he faltered.
''Why, Fanny McLane, of course!
She's been in miserable health since her
husband died, and they've practically
ordered her to try this climate; so
she's coming to me. She'll be here Sat
urday, but of course you know she's in
deep mourning yet and can't GO any
where
For moment Merriam was too
amazed-too startled-to trust himself
to speak, and she saw it, and with the
quick intuition of her sex, saw, too,
that something must be done to relieve
the embarrassment that would fall
upon the party.
'sShe was one of my bridesmaids
Fanny Hayward" she hurriedly ex-
planned to the surrounding group-"and
the loveliest girl you ever saw; and,
just think of it, Mr.. Minturn, now she's
disconsolate widow with don't know
how much money all her own, and then
nervously she cast anxious glances at
Merriam, and again addressed him, as
though in self-defense. "You know we
visited with her on our way west,
and she told me of her charming meet
ing with you and Mrs. Merriam on your
wedding journey, and the lovely times
you had before they had to go to San
Francisco" and now her voice had be-
| come timid and appealing. for she saw
that something was very, very much
amiss. Merriam's face had flushed,
even through it's coat of tan, but was
| now yellow-brown, all it's happy.
healthful glow vanished. and Billy
Whitaker, looking uneasily at him,
| had linked an arm in his and seemed
about to urge him to come away; yet
Merriam had to say something. and
| this. in evident conStraint, is what he
said:
"Yes-we-did meet-Mrs. McLane-
I'm very sorry to hear she's been i'll
and am much surprised to hear she's
| coming here. Excuse me, Mrs. Grafton
| I must hurry on"
That evening Floy and her husband
| failed TO attend the formal hop which
| was held each week, and their absence
was noted, for she loved to dance, and
| had promised waltzes and two steps
without number to her old friends OF
the Rifers and the cavalry both. Some
| one proposed going after them. Mrs
Hayne did call on her way home, fol
she left early, and inquired anxiously
| for Florence. 'iShe has a severe head
ache" said Randy, who came to the
door with gloom in his eyes, "and She
| felt too othing to attempt it
SO I persuaded her to 60 to her room
| He asked them in, but did not invite
Both Hayne and his wife noted that
and both felt they knew the cause Of al
| the trouble when they met Whitaker
ten minutes later and learned from hin
that the Graftons expected a CUES
| from the east on Saturday-Mrs. Me
| Lane.
And Saturday evening she came, al
most at the same hour at which sh.
first set eyes on that dreary landscape
and wondered what was the name o.
those far. blue hills. and who those off
GERS and ladies could be. But this tim,
it was the train from the northeas
that bore her in. and itscompanionf from
| the Sunset Route was not there