The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-09-09

Enthusiastically, "apd for young wom-
an who wants to Uarn her own living
should think it would be pleasant
occupation"
A look of surprise crossed her face
and then she turned away with a quiet
smile.
Finally came the end Of all these
dreaming summer days.
The golden sun was just sinking be-
hind the western hills, touching the
roof of the old home with a mellow
light and investing the peaceful land
scape with new beauty, when Walter
Ainsworth stood in the doorway look
ing anxiously about for Miss Gordon.
His eye caught CLEAN of pink in the
distance and he could family discern
her form half-hidden by the foliage OF
the trees. He walked quickly down
the orchard path and found her lean
ing upon the rustic fence as she watch
ed the last rays of the dying sun fade
from out the sky.
IT have just finished the prepare
lions for my departure early tomorrow
morning." said he, as she turned to
greet him with her usual frank smile.
Tomorrow l will be back in the busy,
bustling city and hard at work again"
He paused a moment and then spoke
in lower tone: II wonder if you will
miss me?"
The girl dropped her eyes and finger
ed the strings of the hat that swung
carelessly on her arm.
"Of course 1 shall miss YOU" she
said, TREMENDOUSLY.
"This has been the happiest sum-
mer l have spent at the old farm
| house." said he. II wish might dare
to hops it has been as much to you as
it has been to me-"
Still the brown eyes were overcast
and the little fingers twisted the hat
strings, while light flush crept into
the rounded cheeks.
| Something in her attitude and man
ner emboldened him to proceed: you
know, l am only a poor struggling
lawyer. Yet, as I have hopes of the
future, my dearest wish shall be to
win your regard"
"You know so little of me-" she
said at last, raising her eyes for an
instant and then dropping them again
as she saw the ardent gaze he bent
upon her.
81 have learned to know you WELL"
he said. eve might have known each
other year in ordinary social inter-
course and yet not be as we'll acquaint-
ed as we are after three weeks in this
unconventional atmosphere"
He took her hand with a strong,
| protecting grasp. II shall not ask for
a definite answer now. Let me come
to see you at your home in the city.
Let me have talk with your father.
Where can l see him?'
A smile dimpled her cheeks as she
said II will write and inform you
| as soon as I return to the city.
Father is away just now, but when he
comes back I will ask him to COM
municate with you."
The children came romping and
laughing down the pathway, urging
Miss Gordon to come in and sing for
them, so Walter Ainsworth was forced
to be content with formal leave
taking in the presence of the family.
Two weeks had passed since his re-
turn to the city, and Walter Aims
worth was becoming somewhat impa-
tient at the enforced separation, when
one morning the mail brought him
daintily penned missive from Alice
Gordon, stating that she was at home
and would be glad to see him in the
evening. AS he laid down the letter,
after half a dozen readings, he me-
chanically opened another, which he
noticed bore the printed heading OIL
one of the largest business firms in
the city. 1t was from Alice's father
and contained a brief but cordial in
yitation to call at his office at an ap-
pointed hour in the afternoon. 1t was
signed with the name of Silas Gordon,
and as he glanced at the bold sigma
ture Walter Ainsworth sprung from his
chair in establishment. 1t was the
name of the head of the firm, mil
lionaire, and one of the most influen-
tial men in the great city.
"Impossible!" said he, and hastily
turned to the city directory to see Il
there could be two persons by that
name. The name Of Silas Gordon oc-
Cured but once, and the house ad-
dress corresponded with that given by
his daughter in her little note.
Walter Ainsworth paced rapidly
back and forth across the room, as he
reviewed his acquaintance with Alice.
Her simple dress, her natural, unaf-
fected manner, and, above all, her
statement that she was kindergarten
teacher, had given him the impression
that her family were in only ordinary
circumstances. Suddenly he recalled
the fact that a number of wealthy
girls in the city had instituted the free
kindergarten system, and a few had
even donated their services as teach
ers. what an idiot have been! he
calculated. what must they think
of mel! and the painful thought cross
ed his mind that perhaps Mr.. Gordon's