Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-03-29
CHAPTER V.-CoNTINUED.

copyright. 1897. by Tennyson Neeiy.J
CHAPTER V.-CoNTINUED.
What on earth does John Folsom
sgant of a housekeeper?" asked the
he1pmates of his friends at Fort EN-
sssry, and in the busy, bustling town.
why don't he marry again?" queried
those who would gladly have seen some
mnprovided sister, niece or daughter
thus cozily disposed of. It was years
since Elinor's mothers death, and yet
John Folsom seemed to mourn her as
1ondly as ever, and except in midwin-
ter, barely month went by in which
he did not make his pilgrimage to her
Hever-neglected grave. Yet, despite
his vigorous years in saddle, sunshine
or storm, and his thorough love for
outdoor life, Folsom, now well over 50,
could no longer so lightly bear the
Mard life of the field. He was amazed
10 see how his sleepless dash to head off
Ned Cloud and his days and nights of
Eallop back had told upon him. Wom-
en- at Fort Emory who looked with ap-
proving eyes on his rudy face and
Axim, erect figure, all so eloquent Of
health, and who possibly contemplated,
E.st-building house, the finest in Gate
City, had been telling him all winter
Hnng he ought to have a companion
nm elder guide for Miss Elinor on her
Eeturn; he ought to have some one to
preside at his table; and honest John
lad promptly answered.: "Why, Nell
NiU do all that" which necessitated
their limiting that although Miss Fol
no 1nGv in
she was only child in experience, and
Ixnu1d be much the better for some one
4gho could take a mothers place. mo
ono could do that" said John, with
sa,dden swimming of his eyes, and that
put sudden stop to their schemings,
for the time at least, but only for the
time Taking counsel together, and
thinking how lovely it would be now if
fMr. Folsom would only see how much
there was in this unmarried damsel, or
that widowed dame, the coterie at En-
~cxy again returned to the subject, I'M
iii John, in his perplexity, got the idea
khat propriety demanded that he
should have a housekeeper against his
daughters coming, and then he did go
and <io, in his masculine stupidity, just
exactly what they wouldn't have had
,HhIm do for worldS-invite n woman, of
snxhom none of their number had ever
beard, to come from Omaha and take
Ahe domestic management of hishearth
and home. All he knew of her was
what he heard there. She was the
sxTidDyy of volunteer officer who had
died of disease contracted during the
eSar. She was childIess, almost desti-
aute. accomplished, and so devoted to
hcr church duties. She was interest
Eng and refined and highly educated
He heard the eulogiums pronounced
by the good priest and some of his
flock, and Mrs. Fletcher, substantial
person of some 40 years at least, was
duly installed.
Fort Emory was filled with women
folk and consternation-most of the
snen being afield. The seethirg ques-
fion of the hour was whether they
should call on her, whether she was to
&c received at the fort, whether she
ems to be acknowledged and recognized
Mt all, and then came, mirabile dictu, q
great government official from Wash
Engton to inspect the Union Pacific
and make speeches at various points
along the road. and Mrs. Fletcher
1nind you, walked to church the very
next Sunday on the honorable secre-
1ary's arm, sat by his side when he drove
out TO hear the band at Emory and re
Aeelxed with him on the colonefs veran
Azz. aNd that settled it. Received and
acknowledged and visited she had te
&C. She might we'll prove a woman
sWDrth knowing.
Winiain fortnight she led made the
new homestead blossom like the rose
Within a month everything was in per
<ecA order for the reception of Elmo,
and her school friend-a busy, anxious
znonth, in which Folsom was fitting tc
and fro to Reno and Frayne, as we have
seen. to Halls ranch in the Medicine
BoE, to Rawhide and Laramie, and the
reservations in northwestern Nebras
@. and it so happened that he wa.
a~ay the might Maj. Burleigh, on b.:
aGzy to the depot, dropped in to inquire
IL he could see Mr.. Folsom moment or
E1e1rtant business. The servant sale
re was not in town-had gone, sh.
Thought, to Omaha. She would inquir,
~ Mrs. Flstahex, and meantime woult