Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-02-28
.HILDEOARDE'S ESCORT.
By Mary S. Daniels.
Observation-Disclosures

THREE letters at once. Such thing
had never happened to Hide
garde before, and she blushed and
iimpled with pleased surprise as she
surveyed the row of envelopes, de-
batting which to open first.
All three bore the Seaforth post
mark. That was almost a matter of
course, for neither Hildegarde nor
any of her friends had ever been very
far from Che little town in which. she
mad been born. Even u single letter
was not a frequent experience. And
mere were three!
The tinted one was from
Aunt Bee, of course. And. this oblong
one, with the sprawling address, was
from Archie Bale. Archie was her
classmate in the high school, the big
gest and the incest boy she knew. She
had received more than one missive,
exactly like this in appearance, from
him during the last two years, all of
them invitations to some school en-
tertainment or young folks party.
Perhaps this -Hildegarde drew a
quick breath at the thought-an invi-
tation to the Ap-Morgan concert on
Friday night. She did so want to go
to that concert.
But, here was this large, square en-
selope, with the dashing address dec
GRATED with innumerable fourishes.
Hildegarde had never seen the hand
writing before, but the color in her
cheeks sdeepened as she regarded it
closely. What if it should be-could
~ no nd
Suppose he should invite her to the
concert.
Howard Oyerton was almost a
9 stranger in Seaforth, a clerk in the
: new bank. Hildegarde had met him
several times, and had been little
fiattered by his undisguised admira-
ton and somewhat elaborate polite
ness. All the girls were enthusiastic
about Mr.. Overton's good looks and
polished manners. 1t would be quite
distinction to receive an invita- ton
from him. If this should be one, and
If she opened it first, instead of
Archie's.
But there was Aunt Bees note. De-
ferring the momentous decision,
Hildegarde tore open the little en-
velope. Two bits of. buff pasteboard
futtered into her lap as she read:
DeaT Hildegarde: I had meant to ask
.you to attend the Ap-Morgan Concert
with Ned and me, but my sister Gertrude
is very I'll and must go to her at once.
Ned would have taken you Just the same.
but he too is called out Of town by I'M
expected business, and so send you the
tickets. You will easily find some one
to go with you.s and hope you will enjoy
the concert. Your loving aunt,
Beatrice Hunt
Hildegarde laughed softly as she
opened the other notes, both, as she
sufmised, invitations to the concert.
What an embarrassment of riches.
The Ap-Morgan. concert was great
event in Seaforth. Not many celebri-
ties like the famous harpist visited the
town, which was bristling with
pIacards and posters announcing the
concert. All the music-lovers were
full of anticipation of the coming
treat, and when Hildegarde stopped
at the littlesstationery shop on her
wayHhome from school for some com
position paper yesterday, she had
fosnd old Mr.. Barlow himself study
ing The big card in his shop window
as ifseven he found it a matter of in
terest and Importance.
Are you going to the concerto" he
asked, as he tied up Hildegarde's par
eel.
HiiAegardes. looked up in surprise
It was me first time she had ever
heard Mr.. Barlow say a word more
than was necessary. in the strict way
of business. The school girls called
him "the crabbedy man. because OF
his taciturnity and forbidding ways.
AZ don't know; I'm afraid not.
should, like to very much, but
That ready color came into he1
cheeks. Money was very scarce il
the little household, consisting only
of the invalid mother, herself and the
maid whose services were indispensa
bic in keeping them comfortable
Hildegarde had sometimes to deny
herself coveted indulgences.
} SHappily most Of the good times that
came that Sway were inexpensive ones
ana Hildegarde, being winsome an6
campaniofable, missed few of them
Ne gfr1 in Seafortlf was more in de
Isand Or had more pleasures. Bu1
the Ap-Mofgan concert was different
from everything else. The ticket.
were high-priced, and she did nct
feel free to spend so much money
on a single evenings pleasure, paG
sionately as she loved music.