Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-01-29
THE Old SILVER TRA4.
~ MARY {. SncNEY.
CHAPTER vIu.-CoNTINuEp.

CHAPTER vm.-CoNTINuEp.
Dorothy stared at him almost aghast
What manner Of man could he be, to
thus to her, almost stranger? While
with more feeling in his voice he added:
1T almost brings q swelling in my
throat when I think of oil she does fol-
me-of all her love-the dear little
mother!"
"Your motherI" Dorothy repeated
surprisedly. ~ did not know
thought, perhaps" she stopped short
her face crimsoning painfully.
Neil laughed, exquisitely fattered
that she had evidently given thought
10 possibilities Of tender significance In
the token; but his face grew grave, nl'
most sad, rs he said: "In oil my life,
Miss Meredith, there has never been
any woman who would do rs much "a
that for me except my mother. ! am
almost afraid there never will be-"
"And your mother-she is in the east,
suppose" the girl hurriedly observed.
Neil smiled, by no means dull to the
little ruse to change the subject, but
he perceived the wisdom OF following
her tactful lead. And so he talked OF
his mother, his boyhood days and the
old home; passing thence to general
topics, which, although he scarce knew
II, really showed him at his best; for
not only could he talk well on most sub
jects when he tried, but he had that
better gift of the convcrsationalist. a
sympathetic intuition to draw out the
others thoughts, so that Dorothy, who'll
ly ut ease, was presently chatting as to
IN old friend.
Only once did he venture upon any
betrayal Of his deeper feeling, and that
was when their mission TO the old hut
had been accomplished and they had
almost reached the main road on their
way back, when Dorothy drew rein,
hesitantly suggesting that they would
better part.
81 have been expecting you to say
that" he good humoredly reioined;
'and Of course It is all right. But be-
fore you leave me, stop while ! picl; yon
some Of these meriposa lilies; they are
the bluest I. have ever seem"
"They are beautiful; thanks" she said
delightedly, as she took them from his
hand, almost apologetically adding: ~
am SO fond OF our Colorado flowers, of
everything that blossoms. in fact. l
would almost like to see thanksgiving
for the flowers inserted in the church
service"
"Would your" he answered, drenmily,
lingering close beside her upon pre-
tense of ndmiring the lilies. 81 dare
say we do take too much for granted
In respect TO the pleasant things OF
earth. But don't you think there Is n
certain Thanksgiving I'M every thought
Of appreciation? like to think we do
not need to put everything into words.
Friends who love each other need not
always be talking TO be understood;
and It would seem that the ull-embrac-
ing spirit of nature that we call our Col
might be in such close communion with
the faltering, tongue-tied soul as to UNI
uCtotdhu VNCh bCtttt tHt uu-
man friend all that we leave unsaid."
ayes, perhaps" Dorothy murmurcd.
with somewhat Of surprise in her
glance.
"You do not agree with me quite"
'It is n beautiful thought" she said.
doubtfully; "but Is It orthodoxy"
''Do you find heterodoxy unpardon-
able?"
81 did not mean TO imply that. And
such heterodoxy MS yours" She
looked ut him thoughtfully, leaving the
sentence unfinished. But is 1t salts.
flying. do you think, TO let things go
forever unsaid?"
"Some things-perhnps not. In fact,
1t is extremely unsatisfying at times"
He looked ut her with something in his
eyes before which her glance fell, while
instinctvely she gathered up the rein
as though she would 60. "For in
stance, IL seems q shame that should
be with you here and not tell you how
often have thought Of you since that
worlds fair night; how many times
have wished that I might see you
again."
"You did not think then that I was
Col. Meredith's daughter" she i'm
pulsively exclaimed.
"And do you think thnt l think Of 1t
now-that 1t counts as anything us be-
tween you and me?" he impetuously re-
torted. ITO me you are simply your
self-the little worlds fair lady OF
whom have been dreaming for n year.
You are-"
'Don't, please, Mr.. Neil" she hur-
riedly interrupted. "You may forget
that 1 am my fathers daughter, but
cannot. And now, really must leave
you. Thanks for my flowers and good
by"
.'But whit" he peremptorily inter-
posed, coolly seizing her horse by the
bit. ~ suppose / must not ask when
there is'any likelihood Of our meeting |
by chance-again."
'If you did, should tell you that
have no idea," she quickly returned.
ut may be for years and IL may be
for ever. Can ! go now, please?"
''Tell me first that you are not Of
Tended because / came to-day"
''No; / am not offended" she an-
swered, slowly, smiling rather against
her will, as it seemed; "hut-I think
ought 10 be, perhaps"
"Oh, but II you're not!" he rejoined.
quickly, hesitating as though uncertain
how much Of his thought he might ex-
press. at is so much that we can be
friends"
"But the very best Of friends must