Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-11-29

When he returns to the hotel for
lunch, an hour later, he finds the same
eyes on the opposite side of the table,
and they are so pleasant to look into
that he cannot forbear a second
glance, and is rewarded with a look of
recognition.
He has never been much of society
man; but time drags heavily after
few days, and he is glad when new
acquaintance introduces Miss Stanton.
She is very pretty and unusually bright
and well informed, attributes which he
knows how to appreciate. He begins
to join her in walks to the beach, and
to the castle, and along the rocks.
After time he discovers that she also
is an artist, and has had pictures ap-
proved by the critics. Sometimes she
forgets his presence entirely, as she
gazes out to where the white gulls sail
back and forth across the horizon. But
he does not mind. He likes to lie on
the sand or rocks at her feet and to
Look into the unconscious brown eyes
and people them with odd images and
fancies.
One day he finds letter in his mail
that looks familiar. It has been for
warded from Paris, and was originally
postmarked at Narragansett Pier. He
breaks the seal and finds it to be an
exact duplicate of the one he has in
his pocket, with the exception of be-
ing dated few days later.
"Why didn't she sign her full name.
or at least give some clew to her iden-
tity?" he questions, as he compares
the two letters and knits his brows in
an eXasperated manner. "She seems
to take it for granted that 1 know
who, and what and where she is, and
all about her. Probably she is expect
ing an answer to her letter by this
time Well, will collect a few more
| Claras and analyze them; but fore
see it will be hopeless job"
| The next day he sets hims self to work
more assiduously than ever to culti-
vate new acquaintance. He even goes
to the Times Office and has local put
in the daily paper to the effect that
Robert Leighton, of Paris, is stopping
a few weeks at Narragansett Pier"
He is persistent in his efforts to get
introductions, and is strangely eager
to forget all about them after few
minutes conversation.
| One day Miss Stanton expresses sur
prise at his large circle of acquaint-
ances, and that puts an abrupt end to
| the search. He is not ambitious of
posing as a society man. He is eager
to unravel Cousin Clara; but, after all,
when it comes to point of issue, she
is only a secondary consideration.
In quiet way Miss Stanton is prov
ing herself to be very fascinating
person, but he does not fully realize
his position until near the end of Au-
gust; then he takes himself suddenly
to task. There are but two courses
open to him; an abrupt retreat, or an
unconditional surrender, and only one
of them seems feasible. He retreats.
There are few persons in his car the
next morning. He is too early in the
| season, and decidedly too early in the
day. But as he settles himself com
fortably back in his seat and g1ances
around he encounters the brown eyes
and is conscious of sudden thrill OF
CONSERVATION. They give him pleased
look of recognition, and he crosses
over and takes seat beside their
owner.
"Going away?" he asks, guiltily.
ooh, no; only to Providence. I viii
return tonight. And you?"
He rises abruptly and places hi:
light baggage in the rack overhead
When he sits down the train is in mo
ton, and he tries to keep her atten
ton on the things outside.
"That is Silver lake off there" HI
says, as a broad sheet of water glide
into view on the left. 'Notice the ir
regular little island in the center, and
the trees just awakening to the pos
sibilities of color. It is worthy of
frame and position beside NozaI'
Bay of San Michel"
ut is charming" she says; ''I Xix
the country down this way very much
have been through most of the vii
lagos, through the mills at Peace Dale
|, up to the Wolf rocks, over to tn
: Stuart place, and-I cannot begin t
tell you all the little trips have take1
> I enjoyed them, every one. I shall mos
, certainly come here again"
Eyes, it is very pleasant. I almos
enyy the small farmers"
! Envy? You?' she queried, incred
! ulously.
> Eyes, why not? There is no unce,
tainty about their work and plea sure:
. It does not matter so much whether
man is rich or poor, as long as all hi
friends are in the same condition.
I could have my-my friends with m
{ I would gladly exchange with one c
these farmers"