Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-02-26

CONSERVATION than for the surprise Of
the encounter.
"How did you know was here?" she
faltered, nervously.
"How could I help knowing it?" he
gayly returned, looking about for o
seat for her. The rocks were water
worn into strange shapes, In one place
couple OF pines throwing pleasant
shade upon q sort Of bench followed
out below, n spot effectually hidden
from the Grubstake side of the hill
"But won't you sit down and let me
take time to get my breath before ]
try to expla;n?"
She made no objection, being herself
considerably exhausted from her hard
climb in the rare air; but I'M air OF con
strnint was upon her rs she settled her
self in the place indicated, with q doubt
full side glance watching him choose
seat by her feet II thought this was
Grubstalio ground" she observed, ten
tatively, Us he looked up.
$50 it H." he admitted, his face full
ing somewhat Mt the tone Of the remark
81 cannot claim any righthere, excep.
what you may concedc. But don't send
me away, please, until tell you-ah
there are so many things want to tell
you! / was coming down to see you
this morning; should have come yes
.crtay, but ] could not make up my
mind what you would probably wish
whether or not you would be vcxcd II
came openly to see you; but to-day
could wait no longer. I determined to
come, and IL your father were there to
see him, and tell him frankly all that
you'are to me-all that l hope. oDoro-
tLy'-Dorothy, don't go awny!--listen
to me, dear!" for she had arisen hur-
riedly, moving AWAY from him.
"Oh, can't!-You must not!" she ex-
claimed, brcathlcssly. Don't you know
that after what has happened, we can
not bc--{ricnds? We were divided be-
fore; but this-it is insurmountablc'
1t puts us apart forever!"
'Dut how can we help being friends?''
he cried, rising also, and reaching out
for her hands us he came close beside
her: but she thrust her hands behind
licr with q repcllent gesture, retreating
yet moro from him. "Can you honestly
tell mc-aftcr what has happened-that
you are not even my friend, Dorothy"'
NO." she said, after IN instant's hes
itation, her voice very low, her face all
q warm, pink flush; and then, with evil
dent effort: ~ did not mean quite
that"
"You meant that we could not be more
than friends-was that 1t, Dorothy?'
his voice very grave.
"IIow could we-how could 1t be
otherwise than impossible with the feel
ing you must have for my fathHr?'
she returned, in choked murmur, yet
with eyes bravely lifted to defy his
pleading glance. 'Wait--let me ca
plain" us he would have spoken. II feel
sure now that you were right from the
iirst-that you have been wronged, most
of all in that wickedly farsical trial OF
day before yesterday. 1t has been
mostly McCready's work; my father
has Eeen misled-deccivcd, to u certain
extent; Of that am convinced; but he,
too, has been to blame-I know that
now as well us you. And II has almost
killed my love for him-but not my 10y
atty. lie is my father, and he has been
devoted to me all my life. / owe him
everything; and ] could not be-any-
thing-to one who hated and despised
him."
"And would you break my heart mere
ly on his ACCOUNT" the young man
urged, impetuously. "Doyou know what
it means to mellow much ! care
Do you Enow, Dorothy-how can you
help knowing that l love you-love
,ou?" lie half reached for her hands,
but then, as though in shame for the
tears that had risen TO his eyes, turned
abruptly away from her. 81 know you
do not care" he added, in muflicd
tone. after n moment. "If You did, you
could not stand there coldIy reasoning
and settling the matter like that. You
would let nothing come between u.s.
And why should you care for me? Yet,
II were given charce-Dorothy, give
me q chance! Let me teach you 10 love
mel"
Perhaps there is nothing more potent
to stir Il woman's heart than such signs
Of feeling in the man in whom hitherto
she has seen only the side of bis virile
strength and pride. Dorothy was
strangely touched rs she looked up into
those tcar-wet eyes. "No; oh, no." she
whispered, drawing back from him,
but the tone was weak, almost tender,
and despite the denial, his face bright
encd-
"Tcll me-" he eagerly exclaimed, "tel!
me, Dorothy, IL had had no trouble
with your father-if there had been
nothing to prejudice you against me
could you have learned to care for me,
do you Think
Il don't think nm so very much
prcjudiccd against you," she faltered;
then alarmed for the radiancy Of de-
light the small admission had called
into his eyes, she hastily added: "Dui,
Of course. rs things are--oh, you know
II is all out OF the question"
Neil answered nothing, looking into
her aycrtcd face with such intent
scrutiny that she petulantly exclaimed,
when she had endured it for moment:
"Plense don't!"
Neil smiled ut the childish plea, 81
believe you do care for me just littl1
bit, sweetheart" he murmured, caress-
ingly, reaching out as though he would
boldly take her in his arms.
But she drew away from him ngain,
with little shrug Of her shoulders and
n lame attempt to appear mistress Of
~ h.a