Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-04-07

| oifeh so WIN young men OF MS SuSuClOuS
| turn and successful habit OF life. The
heaven of sentiment invites with steadier
| allurement when 1t rests on substantial
ground Of availability The heart Is in
deed entitled to defy the judgment. but II
! beats no less gayly when such defiance Is
| not called for.
Such assuring observations FASTENED the
| period of conscious acknowledgment that
he brakes were off. Our elevated friend
flushed little as he confessed to himself
that he was ''in the chutes," and that
| he liked 1t. 1t was not his habit. He
never handled horses that way, and he
could not now quit free himself from re-
proach for having dropped the lines. But
ne laughed, nevertheless, and enjoyed the
joke on himself, along with some other
enjoyment.
His craft, however, did not wholly for
sake him. He did forthwith become the
| object of general suspicion. The girl her.
self may have caught a look. once or
twice, that seemed to bring him rather
forcibly under her serious attention, but
he rolled his oranges with as light q
hand as ever. and exchanged about the
usual run Of chatting with the men who
dumped into his hopper, the manager and
all chance comerN
All the while the fingers of the new
packer were dancing under his eye, and
every orange that was wrapped and
brighter by the reflection Of his seuti-
ment. and he felt every time as II he him
self were being taken possession OF and
laid away In the treasury that her
strong, sweet life was gathering.
1t was getting to be time for astute
diplomacy to sanction some casual ad-
vances. 1t was observed at the noon
hour that the graderman addressed
number of remarks to the Missouri girl,
and that he found several occasions for
happening within talking distance. There
was no shamefacedness In these ap-
proaches. He easily maintained his on
hand, smiling manners, as If he were
rather melting to good-humored In
diligence toward a stranger than falling
under the spell of her attraction. No one
ever got chance to make Jim ridiculous.
AS for the girl her reception OF this
nascent acquaintance was in perfect form.
Quite without show of embarrassment.
she made no sign or pretence OF ofiish-
moss. Why should she not be glad to
learn something of the ways Of this spir-
tied young fellow, who had looked at
her perhaps rather vigorously, but not
in way to call for any other defense
than she always had about her?
When things are managed in this mas
terly way, the malice Of onlookers Is
stifled at birth. 1t is weakness that in
vites troublesome comment. The strong
without molestation. The smiles that fol-
lowed this progressive pair were rather
Of approval than of derision There may
have been jokes, but the mean and bitter
ones are saved for feebler victims.
Some days later the new girl happened
to reach the packing house few minutes
earlier than the general arrival. The
doors were all open and the place was
freshly swept, but no one was in sight as
she reached the doorway. The she heard
quick steps, and the graderman stood be-
fore her.
He was ready for his opportunity. for
signs had been in his favor in the days
just passed.
your clock fast?" he said, sweeping
his eyes over the several approaches, and
finding that the nearest corners were some
minutes distant.
IT don't know-I didn't look at 1t.
just came when felt ready. Maybe twas
the splendid morning that hurried me-"
TT Is a splendid morning, isn't it?"
said he; and there was something in his
smile that seemed somehow less careless
than usual. II feel little In hurry
myself he went on, noting the freshness
Of the morning light on her inquir1ng
face, and astonished a little at his own
audacity. How much can say before
those girls get here?"
Il don't know" laughed the girl. but
heard you try"
II can say this. anyway want you to
say you like me and that 1 can walk homo
With you sometimes, and that you'll go
o church with me next Sunday"
She looked none the worse to him as
Consciousness took inwonted possession
If her face and he saw that she wanted
o look away, but would not.
Not far was she tipped off her poise.
'he answered proudly, still laughingly.
nd stray lock, escaped from her hat.
lanced at him on the edge of her fore
ead as a light breeze whisked by.
"You can say good deal in a minute.
nut think you are too much In hurry.
f you should walk home with me this
vening, you would have more time.
sn't it splendid morning. she shouted
o four girls who were coming UP the
Walk and who wondered at her exhiliara-
ion as she whirled toward them. The
radcrman climed to his perch and
,atched few angles among the rafters,
S he waited in sublime patience for the
Materials of his industry.
A week or two after this the Missouri
irl came late and without her lunch
all. Jim saw that her face was sad
nd weary. He had never seen 1t so.
nd 1t sank deep into his heart. She
lanced at him, but walked right past and
poke to the manager, who looked regret
n but consenting, and they went to tho
ay desk together. Then she walked to
he door. There she hssitated 9 moment
"Get on here" said jim quickly 10 one
raderman climbed to his perch and
eat and not stopping to see his order
ocyed. They walked slowly toward the
rect, and the curious eyes that followed
1em were sober-some Of them sympa,
letic.
Her sister. for whose recovery she had
,me to California and for whom she
i'd been determinedly hopeful. had just
zen pronounced to be in a sinking con-
tion, and desired to go back to her
other. Beneath this grief the brave girl
as also hiding a foretaste of the loss
the new friendship and it had sudden
become known to her how deeply her
Pe and hope were involved.
The interview was short, but 1t left
,table effect in the girls bearing, as
lie moved rapidly away. and Jim came in
It'll look in his face that might have
zen borrowed from an old Italian paint
g.
At noon he stopped the manager: could
~ put some one in my place? George
,rnes would do all right. l want to go
Missouri in the morning."
All right, JIM" said the manager.
The packing-h house ratified on merrily
rough the season. Its output was
.rious and sundry. Jim on his journey