The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-11-23
CHAPTER X.


som to her fond little school friend and
chum that afternoon, have had to SIT
or stroll with or listen to Maj Bur-
leigh. | never once was able to enjoy
the view. What made him hurry us
away from the northeast point, do you
suppose?"
odd you notice that, Nell? 1 did,
too, and l was so interested in the view.
Away up toward Laramie peak could
see something through the glasses that
looked like lot of little ants crawling
along together. 1t was just after that
just after we looked through the
glass, that he marched us round to the
other side. The view toward Green
river isn't half as pretty"
sand now he's telling some in
terminable story to father over their
cigars. What shall we do if he hangs
on? Father will have to ask him to
drive with us to the fort, and there
won't be room"
"Unless Mrs. Fletcher gives up her
seat" said Jessie, demurely.
Mrs. Fletcher isn't going. A very
different person takes her seat to-day,
Jess. Father LEFT a note for Mr..
LOOMS at the hotct and he accepted.
Now you see why don't want Maj.
Burleigh."
1t was then long after three o'clock.
At five they were to start. and Jessie
could hardly curb her impatience. The
mail from Frayne, so said Folsom,
would arrive that evening, and then
surely there would be news OF Mar
shall. They had slipped away to their
rooms after the bountiful luncheon
served on their return, in order, as
Pappoose expressed it, that the gen
tlemen might have their cigars in
peace. Mrs. Fletcher, after seeing that
everything was prepared, had direct
ed the servant to say to Mr.. Folsom,
on the return of the party, that she
would prefer not to appear, and would
be glad to keep her room, as she did
not feel It at all necessary for the
housekeeper to meet strangers, and
Folsom felt a sense of relief. 1t was
so much sweeter not to have any pre-
siding genius other than Pappoose,
not that he was forgetful of Mrs.
Fletcher's merits and services-which
were great-but it was plain to see
that his daughter would have been
happier had no such Office existed as
that created for this deserving and
destitute widow. At three Miss Fol-
som had gone and tapped at the lady's
door-her room was in the third story,
overlooking the street-and was very
civilly assured that Mrs. Fletcher
stood in need of nothing, but, being
wearied. she would like little sleep.
No, she did not even care for n cup of
tea. Yet Elinor felt confident that
the voice that replied to her inquiries
came neither from the bed nor the
lounge, but from the direction of the
front window
At three the cigars were smoked out
and the host and his guests were in
the library. 1t was FOisoms custom
when possible thing, TO take a brief
nap after the midday meal, and Eunor
felt sure he would be glad Of the op.
portunity now, if Burleigh would only
go, but Burleigh wouldn't In monot-
onous monologue his voice came float
ing up to the second floor, drowsy,
unbrolen in it's soporhc flow, and the
girls themselves, after the morning &
drive in the clear, bracing air, felt as
though forty winks would be n bless
ing. Could it be that Burleigh lin
gered on in hopes of their reappear-
anee below? Might it not be that if