Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-29

-lalW ferred from the
movers wagon to the par1or of her new
home, and now, as the clock struck II,
she looked around her bedroom in
dazed and bewildered way Was there
ever such a tumble of boxes, trunks
and furniture as met her gael
"How can Jack leave me alone so
long when he knows what a lot there is
to d." she said aloud, as she sank into
a chair before the open fire, the only
cheer-inspiring object in the room, and
looked about again, as the last stroke
of the clock died out.
:'Ugh, will ever get this middle into
anything like ORDER" she muttered.
,''How 1 hate it all, and oh, how hope
ive-Tm tired of packing and unpack-
ing, of arranging and rearranging.
What chaos in which to begin the New
tYear!" And visions of brilliantly
lighted parlors, glittering tables, pref
ty girls and handsome men passed be-
fore her by way of contrast.
Then the baby stirred and she rose
to place it more comfortably in its crib.
Coming back to her chair by the fire
she caught sight OF a small blue box
in corner of one of the open trunks.
'Ah, I'll burn you now" she said,
softly. ''It is sentimental nonsense to
carry you around any longer. This is
just the fire for you, and I'm too worn
out to do another stroke of work.
] Lifting the lid she took out a bundle
of letters addressed in a flowing bust
ness hand to
MISS ROSE WINSTON,
100 West - Street,
New York City
Somehow her heart beat a little faster
as she recalled how happily it had
throbbed at sight of these same envel-
opes three years ago. Three years:
Was it only three?
A log slipped and rolled to the edge
of the hearth, sending a shower of
sparks before it. Itaroused the musing
woman, who leaned forward for the
tongs with which to push it back in
place. Then she slowly drew forth
letter and read:
New York City. May LIST. IS"
S.My Dearest
.'Darling, is how 1 think of you. and
might as well own up. Just a few moments
ago left you, yet 1t seems so long-i want
to be with you always.
do you know, dearest, that you have
become more necessary to me than anyone
or anything in life? I never dreamed 1
could love anyone as love you. and yester-
day, when you said that you were tickle.
you awakened feelings that have made
me sad. Tonight when I said that I
should try to destroy your fckleness
meant it, for the thought arises-Should
she be tickle with me, what then? I am
Sure don't know.
"You are my ideal in face. form. dispo-
sition and character. The more 1 see you
the more I love you-and why? Because
we think alike on many subjects. because
yyoz would make. the fovelfest wife man
ever had, because you would make for
me that for which long-a home
She raised her eyes to look around the
disorderly room, and her heart smote
her. Then she went on with the let
ter:
"T have not words at my command. to
tell you what I think. / only know that
Il love you, and that il you were mine you
would make the man. You are superior
to me, and have strength. where I am
weak
eff you had not said that you were not
sure of yourself, I should ask you to be
mine-but must wait. May not think Of
you as mine2 May not hope that some
day you viii be nlIne7 Tell me truly, dear