Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1902-09-20
The CAPITULATION
OF BARBARA q q
BY EDITH HIBBARD.

JACK MERRIHEW was sitting or
u the piazza of the Howard. He had
been sitting there for an hour and
more. keeping solicitous watch on
lake and sky, and trying now to grow
impatient over the abominable length
OF time she was making him wait.
Her tyranny grew more absolute
every day, yet he would not be freed
it was too sweet. The last day OF
his vacation had come. Had his hopes
any foundation? Would it be better
to walt her return to town before
burning his ships? He hoped he had
courage enough to face a refusal
but refusal would end all this de-
tightful companionship. Still, in the
meantime, what If some of these 9TH
er fellows! He sprang to his feet.
1t was manifest destiny that she had
promised to sail with him this after
noon.
Tho wind was freshening and the
surface of the lake was ruffling up
In crisp waves, with every now and
hen flash OF white. Asprayo of sweet
clover tell at his feet. He turned to
fnd her standing in the doorway, tan
talizingly pretty in green linen
gown, with knot of sweet clover in
her belt, and calmly unconscious, ap-
parently, that he had waited mo-
ment for her.
1T may be bit fresh. You don't
mind that, know" he said, as they
rowed out. "Only you might have to
help If the wind increased. If you
dislike that we can do something
else"
"Nonsensei I wouldn't 60 for any
ching. You ought to know by this
time that I never turn back"
Barbara Whitney made herself ex-
ceedingly comfortable with many gay
cushions and watched Jacks prep
aratious. She hardly understood her
self the unrelenting tyranny which
she had exercised over this man for
months. She had put in that hour
of his FESTIVE waiting in considering
the situation, upbraiding herself for
her unreasonable exactions, acknowl-
edging his devotion, foreseeing that
the coming tete-a-tete would almost
certainly bring their relations to the
crisis of proposal, and admitting to
herself that she would far rather say
yes than no.
"But cannot say yes unless he
makes me-" she demonstrated, men
tally, her eyes fastened on the 1.-The
grace of his athletic figure as he got
up the sail. HE is the best bred,
the handsomest man know-and the
dearest, IL only he would not adore
me with such abject confidence in my
infallible perfection. In his eyes the
queen cannot do wrong. 1t is terribly
exhaus.ing to be constantly on a
pedestal. I'm just human grit o,
Jack, dear, why won't you see IL and
make RE do things instead Of letting
me command you? You are too medi.
eval, my dear boy, that's what you
are. I shall have to say mol never
could stand on a medieval pedestal,
and I should get to hate you If you
persisted in thinking me horrid
composite of myth and spirit"
Jack settled down as the boat
slipped out with the wind, the sheet
An one hand, the helm tucked under
an arm. There was just breeze
enough to run pleasantly. and yet
hermit him to fill his eyes with
her. which he proceeded to do. The
curve Of the cheek next him, golden
bronze with the summers tan, the
round chin, the pretty, impertinent
little nose, the dark, sweep of eye
lash-he gave himself SO intently te
the study of these that the darl
lashes lifted and let him have