Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-17
Twice Saved


I'VE tered together across the downs
that swept in broad folds of many
tinted greens toward the sea, flashing
and sparkling in golden sun CLEANS on
the horizon.
She. the 17-year-old only child of pa
rents married late in life, elderly now
with settled ways and habits accord
ing i'll with the latter-Hay in trusion of
restless youth-this growing up of the
daughter they doubtless loved but little
apprehended.
Fair she was and sweet, happy in her
recent emancipation from school re-
straints and trammels, Content with
life, unaware as yet of her lack of pa
rental comprehension and control, her
youthful mind attuned to all maiden
faneies in the modern garb of "univer-
sal brotherhood" equality. the leveling
of class distinctions as preached by her
best loved schoolmate, the daughter of
an ardent, well-known socialist leader.
He who rode beside her at her own
request. few years older only, good
looking, manly, with that air of clear
cut cleanliness common to grooms in
general, not SO very long ago the pride
OF his schoolmaster, captain of the viii
lage cricketaciub, refined. too, for his
class in speech and manners, steady
and sober in stables and kitchen, as his
fellow servants could have said.
In very truth were there not the ele-
ments of romance in the air? Youth
beauty, innocence, with the scent of
spring, the tanning of the soft west
wind in the sunshine.
10 III ri =,
companion doing likewise, keeping his
horse a little back as though meaning
TO fall into his proper place behind her.
But Miss Doris would have none of it i
she wished to talk, and talk she would
when she so chose. Many time it hap
pened of late during their morning
rides. 81
At first the groom had responded
shyly in monosylla bles: Eyes, MISS
No. miss" as the case required. in
manner little satisfactory to enthusiast
lie maiden attempts at surmounting
class barriers, but Miss Doris had the
courage of conviction-a little patience
and matters mended themselves.
A social evening" in the parish
schoolroom, including, among other
items, would-be tragic reading,
turned into hopeless comedy by the
accident of forgetfulness on the re-
citer's part, gave occasion. The groom
bashfully described a similar incident
as happening at like entertainment
In his own village home across the coun-
ty. and the ice was broken. the free
masonry of common joke established
between this girl and her little more
than boy servant.
She had read much after a fashion.
and would talk of many things with
the light. facile readiness of clever, i'm
mature womanhood he could claim
acquaintance with but few authors.
comparatively. but he could listen with
hatteriDg Difference and Intelligence,
while she was quick to recognize his
genuine good sense and mengs! grasp
of any subject he would venture an
opinion on. though it might be ex-
pressed in language a little less ele-
giant than hers
So days and weeks went on, and little
reckoned Miss Doris of any harm she
might be doing herself or him. Yet to
the groom's credit be it said never once
did be ..presume"-to use an old-time
word she doubtless would have secuted
Ion his young mistress kindness.
Still did it need distinct request on
her part to bring him to her side as
now to-day.
A word or two did she speak-the
beauty of the sky. the sparkle OF the
sea. then a question-had he read a
book she had told him Of?
YES" was his answer. half of it. and
that half he did not like at all. An
argument. eager and somewhat hot on
the lady's part. ensued. the groom stick
ing quietly and respectfully to his
point. while his mistress tirritated, per
haps, by the tdgetting of her mare.
swhiche could not brook contradiction
in the matter of wished-for galIopl