Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-01-15

led, deceived, mainly that McCreauy
might profit by It, might find means Il
.gratify q private malice against thu
owner Of the Mascot mine. She wa
now impulsively persuaded that Har
vey Neil had been really wronged, ant
ell because her father had been system
atically led to false conclusions by thi
arch-plotter, \ who had no care for any
sacrifice Of honor In attaining his owl
evil ends. II but the proofs might b
forthcoming to prove the wrong, to n
duce her father to withdraw and MAKE
restitution while yet there was tint
to vindicate his real moral blameless
ness!
Harvey Neil had dismounted to SPAR
the horse, and for mile or more hat
been plodding along, leading the AMI
nal, when, just at n turn In the roat
as he came down into the little cotton
wood grove, he stopped short In sur
prise at sight Of Miss Meredith seated
by the roadside.
The hills had here crowded down OF
either side Of the narrow creek, grea
rock masses joining hands as though
1t had been purposed to hold back thu
hurrying water, which, but in madde'
10y as 1t seemed, went leaping ovei
the low barriers in o series Of foam
ing waterfalls, churned to whitenes'
and shimmering like liquid opal In
the caressing sunshine. Here the road
had been blasted out Of the solid roci
Mt one side, and the debris SO formed
keaped up into low wall along thu
waters edge; and here 1t was the cir
was sitting. SO lost in thought as tt
he utterly deaf to the advancing steps
above the swishing and rushing Of thu
stream.
Neil had thought the day Of the
storm that Miss Meredith must ]ool
her best in her riding habit, but to
day, in the simple cotton gown she wore
she seemed to him even more daintily
lovely. "Ten times more charming thar
her fathers Grabbed, and he's com
posed Of harshness," he quoted, under
his breath, lettering all he might in
the pace that must presently bring him
beside her. Curious as he was to know
how she would greet him, he yet would
gladly linger to enjoy the pretty pic
ture she made, all unconscious Of any
observer.
But she seemed to feel his glance by
instinct, looking up with q startled Oil
which changed to flashing smile oil
welcome as she recognized him, blust
and smile so surprising to Harvey Neil
that us he stopped short in the road
he had hardly presence of mind to lift
his hat. BY, no stretch of the magma
ton could he have counted upon such
greeting as this after her stern ar
raignment the other day.
II beg pardon, Miss Meredith.
hope l didn't brighten you," he pres
emily found tongue to say, with doubt
full, deprecating smile.
"0h, not at all; only-one never meets
anybody here, you know" There could
be no installing the friendliness Of her
manner; and Neil's face grew brighter
~ am an exception to prove the rule
you Sec" he said. II hope you don't
mind"
mo; am glad to meet you, !" she hcsi-
family returned, to his further amaze
n.ent. II want to apologize"
ITO apologize-you! / cannot pos
sibly imagine why, Miss Meredith;
though II 1t makes you the least bit glad
to see me, of course am thankful for
the notion. whatever II Is. But II Is
who should apologize. It has been on
my mind ever since met you, how
mean II was of me to mislead you so,
to enjoy your kindness under false pre-
lenses. I told you the other day that ]
was not sorry, that i never should be;
but all the while I think / knew that
was bound TO be ashamed OF myself
sooner or later"
"But l do not think II was SO very
heinous," murmurcd the girl, with 4
little smile, rs she resumed her scat
upon the rock, seeming not to notice us,
after doubtful glance ut her, he ven
turcd also to establish himself on an
adjoining bit Of wall. ut would have
hecn worse II you had pretended that
you did not know my name, as you
might easily have DONE"
"Oh, no; could not, for you told me
yourself, II you will remember. You
were SO kind. But you IRE kinder now,
Miss Meredith, II you really forgive me.
I was afraid the other day that you
never would"
81 was taken by surprise the other
day." she hurriedly rejoined, her eyes
upon the flowers in her hand, which she
had been rearranging. sand ] knew so
little about the trouble between papa
and you; / always do know SO littlc
of papa's business. or this I had only
IN idea that somebody was trying to
prove that he had stolen vast sum Of
money out of that somebody's mine;
that he was in fact little better
than n common thief. Naturally, did
not feel very kindly disposed toward
that somebody"
"But now your views have modified|"
he eagerly questioned.
~ think / understand the case lit
tie BETTER" she hesitatingly returned,
avoiding his glance.
at is SO kind OF you to say that" He
was silent q moment, absently gather
ing up from the road q few pebbles,
which he threw one by one into the
nearest waterfall. "And do you know.
Miss Meredith, much Us have always
the trouble between the
mines. have never regretted II so much
as now--siDce meeting you again."
"Then, IL that Is So" she impulsively
returned, only the deepening flush up
on her checks bctraying consciousness