Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-12-27
His Particular Devastation.
sescGN7s;

"A MdTcuS w pdSSSu Lie
"A Grafton on his way to Mrs.
Tim Prindle's tea, slender girl, with
soft yellow hair, pulled la Pompa
dour. over her face. crowned by q
black velvet hat with nodding feath-
ers, stopped him.
isn't this Mr.. Wimberley?" she
asked. 81 think I met you the ether
evening at the Columbia, in MRS.
Prindle's box" 40
Kimberley raised his hat politely.
81 believe L had the pleasure You
are Mrs. Prindle's cousin, Mis-
''Miss Gregory. L came over to the
Grafton to call on my dearest friend,
and 1 stayed too late. 1t is getting
dark, and these old avenues and cir
ocles bother me so couldn't tell for
the life of me which way to turn,
when happened to see you, Mr.. VIM
berley. 1 hope you're going to the
tea"
81 am on my way to Mrs. Prindless.
Perhaps we would better walk ON"
Marcus suggested in a frigid tone.
"Of course. ITS fearfullys stupid OF
me to be late, but she's my dearest
friend, Gracia GaiJes and yesterday
horrid brute of a man almost ran
over her with his reckless driving.
AS it was, the horse stepped on her
foot. She's so lame she can't go any,
where, and she's here on her bridal
trip. Wasn't it shame? Is this
Massachusetts aveuue?@ I do think
Washington is perfectly lovely"
Thus she chartered all the way to
Mrs. Prindle's smaet little house on
N street, greatly to Mr.. Wimberley's
disgust. He disliked frivolous women
in general, and this girl with the
idiotic name of Katydid was his par
ticular detestation. o.
''Please explain to Lillian I'll be
down in few minutes.' Miss Greg
DRY whispered as they entered the
hall.
"Just like her" laughed Mrs. Prin.
die in response to Marcus as he stat
ed the case. However, abs well that
ends we1l.'
Mr.. Kimberley bowed and turned
away to speak to some acquaintance
He saw Katydid make her appear
ance within a surprisingly short time
dressed in pink mousseline, docking
as sweet and fresh as a blush rose.
Men flocked around eher, but Mar
Gus kept his distance, and soon tool
leave of Mrs. Prindle.
''That girl is very bad FORM" b,
mentally declared, as he lit a ciga
and started on his homeward way.
''She acts on the principle that al
men can be captured with a prett,
face and yellow hair
Although they met frequently
while the season lasted. Marcus re
manned coldly Indifferent to the facin
atoms of little Katydid, who, on he
side, remarked:
Horrible conceited .prig! If Their
wasn't another man in the world,
wouldn't take him. It's a shame he
so handsome"
.: II.
It happened, however, that March,
was obliged to lowest the followin
summer on business.
ON the homevard journey, just aft
er leaving the dining car one morI
ing he noticed n elear-cut, girisb pre-
file that looked familiar.
That's Katydid. Gregory" b
thought. "Outlandish name-Kat,
did. 1 forget she lived somewhere
these wiids. Travelling alone, I SUI
pose. Well. shall keep out of he
way
The day was hot, dull and tiresom
At last Marcus rose and gave hin
self little shake of equalization.
ST must do something" he muse
''Her twaddle viii serve to pass tt
time, at least"
For the first instant since he ha
reached manhood's estate, Marc,
felt embarrassed when Miss Oregon
offered him her ffnger-tips, and sal
with marked chilliness:
81 am surprised to- find you shou
remember me, Mr.. Wimberley."
The conversation was one-sided, b1
Marcus, pricked by her indifference
put himself on his mettle to be e
pertaining.