Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-12-09

it's asking a great deal more than /
should care to do were in your place,
and l wouldn't ask it if didn't think it
might do good for all and do harm to
none. You heard of her sudden pros
tration the other night?"
"Yes-but-"
do you know-have you any idea of
the cause?"
Not the faintest-No. I can't say
that. She got telegram. heard"
''She did, and an answer was demand
ed and L had to read it and reply that
she was Frustrated and couldn't an
swer herself. perhaps for days. have
no right to tell you what was in the
message. but she seems to need TO see
you. She says tomorrow say to-
night"
For moment no answer came. At
last, with evident effort. Merriam spoke.
81 had promised myself never to see
her alone. It is due to my wife. if not
to me. You know the relations that ex-
listed. Now Mrs. Merriam does not
like your guest"
Neither do l." interrupted Grafton,
stoutly, land I've an idea she'll go after
she's got what-information you can
give her.
And now Merriam's face began to lose
its dark look and to grow suddenly
pale. do you mean that this telegram
has made-has anything to do with her
wish to see me?"
Everything. Merriam, according to
my belief. and if 1 could tell you what
it said I think you would not refuse
her."
Intently Merriam eyed the captains
face as though burning with eagerness
to read his full meaning.
Very well, will come right after re-
treat. Surely five minutes ought to be
enough" he said at length, and then
| went thoughtfully homeward.
But retreat parade came within so
short time after Grafton's return. to
| his quarters that his message to Mrs
| McLane covered that lady with con-
| sternation. What! Meet Randy Mer-
RAM when she had less than 80 min
utes in which to dress! It couldn't
| be thought Oft. When Merriam called,
| Mrs. Grafton futtered down, with
| flushing cheeks and indignant eyes.
! 81 m so sorry. Nr. Merriam, but really
Mrs. McLane saysashe is SO far from we'll
| again this evening that she cannot see
| anyone. She has gone back to bed, but
begs that you will come in at noon to-
4norrow. How is dear Florence?
| should have been to see her. but am
| tied hands and feet"
And Randy went angering back to
| Floy's mutely inquiring eyes. "What
can 1 do to cheer you tonight, my dar-
| lnG?" he whispered, as he bent over
to kiss her. "Is Mrs. Hayne coming
back?"
| Florence was lying on the sofa in her
| pretty room a1oft, and Merriam knelt
at her side. taking her passive hand in
his and stroking gently the curls that
| shiGlmered about her white temples
| The smile with which she greeted him
was very wan and fitting.
| "She said she would, after little.
| told her you'd be in right after pa
| rade, but" and the 'but'' b ad mourn
| full tone to it.
| II had to stop moment on the way,
dear. A matter promised to attend
to- and again he bent and laid his lips
| upon her brow, then pressed them to
| hers. Time was, and only few days
| gone by, when she used to meet that
| fond caress with kiss as fond, as lin
| gering as his own. Now she lay there
patient, unresponsive. Something
prompted him to pass his arm under
meath her neck and to draw her head to
his breast, and size let herself go, I'M
resisting. but her cheek did not nestle
happily, confidently, as was it's way.
Her big, pathetG5 eyes were down
cast. even averted.
'I wish / knew some way to gladden.
you bit, my Brownie" he murmured,
using for almost the first time her ia
| theirs own fond pet name for her. and
he was startled beyond measure at the
result. One instant her face light
ed as with sudden radiant JOY. then
| quivered all over with pent-up emo
ton. Then the pretty mouth began
| to twitch and the lips to tremble. and
then, despite every effort, she turned
back to her pillow and burst into pas
| sion of tears, great sobs shaking her
slender frame from head to foot.
| Florence! Florence!" h3 cried, in
| utter dismay and trouble. 'What is it,
sweetheart? What is it, my pet, my
precious? All, don't turn from me like
that. You are not we'll, my own, or you
would not break my heart by shrinking
from me. What can I have said to so
distress you?" And now he would take
no denial. but had clasped his arms
about her and drawn her to his breast
again, and began kissing away her tears
| and striving to check her sobbing. It
| was useless.
'Oh, let me cry-let me cry!" she
/ pleaded-''it's what I need
And so in pain and bewiluerment he
| yielded to her wish and strove to con-
tent himself with murmuring soft,
soothing words and holding her close
| to his heart. and atslast the storm of