Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-04-19
CHAPTER N-CoNr1SUEp.

CHAPTER IX.-CoNTINUED.
BLESS my soul!" said Folsom. 81
supposed that was what she was for.
What did these women mean by tell
eng me I must have a companions
guide, etc. ?''
''They meant, you blessed daddy,
that they wished to provide you with
ONE of their number, and me-with
something I 40 not want. If Mrs.
Fletcher is to be housekeeper, have
,nothing to say, but-dOn't you think
Syonr big daughter old enough and
wise enough to select her own COM
panions? Daddy DEAR" she continued,
after little pause, and nesting close
to him with pathetic look in the big
brown eyes, her lips twitching bit,
81 know how loving and thoughtful
you have been in all this, and 1
Dpouldn't have you think me migrate
full. but-did you believe 1 was always
going. to be little girl? What do
yon suppose I studied housekeeping
for at school? Mrs. Fletcher is en-
gagged, I presume, and I can't ask you
10 undo that now, but I wish you had
written to me first. However, if you
L
rather you would invite to take the
fourth seat to-day, and then you can
have Pappoose beside you, if you
wish
."'Why, of course, sweetheart, any
one you like"
"Lieut. LOOMS, then, daddy-the Of
ficer we met on the train. Jessie likes
him, and he's such friend of her
sbrother-the only one we have yet
seen who seems to know him at ALL
Then you could ask him to dinner,
too"
Folsom's face was a study. Doubt
and perpleXity both were twitching
Sn, the little muscles about his lips.
1--WE met three officers, did we not.
Elinor, and l had thought-somewha
of-asking the major and his guest.
He said he wished to call. He was
gaere while we were driving yesterday.
q met him later"
Eyes, 1 saw his card" was the hur-
SIZED, Indifferent answer. "But they
are not like Mr.. Loomis. Daddy. did
mot at all like that Capt. Newhan or
for that matter"
-They both seemed prodigiously
struck with you" said Folsom, in mis-
guided confidence, yet pardonable
pride They've done nothing but talk
DO me about you ever since"
-'They did nothing but talk to me
all the way over the mountains eX-
<ept when they were out taking what
y have reason to believe was an occa-
sional drink, daddy mine. Jess had
Mr.. Loomis to herself. They have
found your weak spot, daddy. They
know you love to talk of your daugh-
ter. You have only known Maj. Bur
leigh little while. Is it not sop
~Only within the year, perhaps,
though of course I've heard of him a
great deal"
"And this Capt. Newhall, whose reg
1ment is in Louisiana while he's out
here on leave-I thought officers went
east when they got leave"
-.Newhall says he's out looking over
some mining schemes. He has money
10 invest, 1 believe"
--1He should invest some money in a
travelling suit, daddy, dear. That coat
and his linen seemed woefully out OF
condition Gentlemen are not care
less about such Matters
.tOh- he explained that his trunks
were delayed in Omaha or somewhere
and were coming along next train.
own Il was prejudiced against him
too, but of course if he's friend an6
guest of Burleigh's he-he must be al
right. He's staying with him at the
depot"
"And you've got to invite them t.
dinner?" asked Miss Folsom, after an
other pause, during which she hat
H1eeu fhinEiDr feeply
Not if you don't want it, pet. O.
course they'll expect it. Army officer.
ere hospitable. you know. Burleigl
Eas asked me to dine with him a doz
ez times. though I've only been there
auce'
Then you'll have to invite him
Aaddy," was the answer. with quicl
ACCESSION. ssOnly. just wait for q da,
er two. Capt. Newhall was goini