Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-06-29


nozzle and cast comprehensive glance
at the tree tops. Miss Abigail waited
resignedly.
Fortunately there was ample time
and it was a pleasant spot in which to
linger. Before, the road woundi out be-
tween wide fields palpitating in the
MONDAY heat, but here the shadows
dappled the white horses back and
checkered the dust with leafy shapes,
the water tr;ckled 1nusically down
from the hillside into the messy
trough.
The woman drew long. satisfied
breath, inhaling the wild grape bloom,
and her face softened with a happy
memory. Tad was mortal fond of the
smell of the grape" she said, aloud. IL
wonder if Tad's little girl will be like
him."
She drew letter from her pocker,
spreading it with some difficulty on her
lap. It was two months since this let
ter had fallen like bomb into her quiet
life. Since Tad's death in london five
years ago she had felt that further
change could not affect her. This last
communication was brief statement
written by an English lawyer, of the
death of her nephew's wife; but what
robbed her of strength and Set her
pulse to bounding wildly was the re-
quest that she prepare 10 receive the
little girl into her home, as the mother
had been an orphan without near kin,
while on the fathers side she stood the
closest to Tad's child. A slip of paper
Enclosed brought her Thaddeus' last
message, dated loag ago:
''If my little Primrose should ever stand
In need of friends. will you take her into
your heart. auntie. where you have ever
kept-Tad.'
This was why she was driving down
to Stockton on this warm June noon,
for, obedient to her direction, the child
had started in the charge of acquaint-
ances of Miss Abigail's own, who were
returning after a winner on the con-
tinent. The train was due in an hour.
Lightning turned his head.inquiring-
ly. With a sigh Miss Abigail topped
the reins and drove out into the noon
day heat.
The station master lounged out to
help her tie her steed. "'Xpectin' the
little gal, be ye, Abby?" he asked, with
the freedom of long acquaintance.
She nodded. Her hands were ciasped
tightly upon her reticule when the
train rolled in, but her face was calm.
A gentleman stepped off, then turned
to lift down child. Seeing her he hur-
ried his charge along the platform.
I'm relieved to find you here, Miss
Harding" he said, as he raised his hat,
"'for must go ON at once. Here is the
baggage check. Good-by, little one"
The child held out her hand grayely.
~sGood-by," she said, and her eyes looked
wistfully after him as he sprang upon
the moving train.
Miss Abigail was distinctly disap-
little gypsy with dark skin and curling
brown hair like Tad's. Instead, here
was quaint object in sage green with
pale, demure face and floss of yellow
hair under the white sailor. Just then
Primrose looked up with a shy smile
and Miss Abigails heart softened, for
mere were Tad's brown eyes, with Tad's
own look. while Tad's dimple denied
the small chin
More'n one trunk?" she asked Ia
her driest tones. and Primrose, who
had been ready to kiss this aunt
whom her dear mother bad told her
she must love, felt repulsed
That night. when the milk was
strained and the chickens housed,
Miss Abigail slipped out upon the
south porch. It gave her q secret
sense of elation when she came upon
49, 3 = -s5s - $50