The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-12-19

sad it was quite natural that the hon
Or should have fallen to him.
1 learned the mans name from our
agent, but he knew nothing else about
Mr. Barrett.
Peggy used to watch Mr.. Barrett
with much interest, and she expressed
pity because his wife was older than
himself.
He looks forty to me- said 1.
He is not over thirty two" replied
Peggy, with decision. His wife is
nearly forty, and she never was pref
ty anyhow"
Peggy thinks too much about per-
sonal appearance, I'm afraid though
she is not in the least vain of her own.
As to these neighbors, there could be
only one opinion about Barrett but
our household was rent by dissension
on the question of his wife. My aunt
and my mother declared that she was
a very lovely woman, admirably de
voted to her child. pattern of moth
ers and undoubtedly the greatest bless
Ing which heaven could have bestowed
upon Mr.. Barrett. l sided with Peggy
that it partook of the nature of sin
that a man so remarkably handsome
should not have mated with his kind
From that time forth it was Peggy's
business and mine to imagine virtues
for Mr.. Barrett, while my mother and
Aunt Isabel adorned Mrs. Barrett with
garlands from their own fancy. think
| life would have been little bit dull
at that time, especially for Peggy,
without this diversion. She certainly
took it up with enthusiasm, and Bar
rett's right ear must have tingled often
because of these praises
| One day | met the man in a tobacco
| store on the avenue west of us. He was
selecting some cigars with much care
| and discrimination. | fell into CONVEX
sation with him and was very proud
Of the feat, for he looked like one who
would not form an acquaintance light
". He was very affable and delight
fully we'll bred. Upon this closer view
perceived that he was younger than
| had supposed. surely not beyond Peg
gy's estimate. l was charmed with
him, and when he invited me to walk
into his parlor as the spider said to
the fly, was overjoyed to accept
eve are living very quietly. my
aunt and L." said he.
"Your auntv' said | rudely enough,
but couldn't help it.
His manner was smooth as glass.
"My aunt, Miss Emily Barrett said
he, and / gasped at the Miss"
| Charming little girl that you have"
said |. We've all observed how fond
you are of her, you and Miss Barrett"
Dear little Gertrude" he murmured.
She's the light Of my life
"Such a daughter''- | began.
''But she isn't my daughter. you
know" he said. "She's my sisters
child. I'm a bachelor
l did not think it necessary to tell
him how much impertinent discussion
had been wasted in our apartment, but
l. had a pleasant vision of myself ar
irving home with a great budget of
aews.
| Social relations were at once estab-
ished with the Barretts.
"Of course we really know very little
| 1DOuL tllSlI. saul NY uOluGE, Uul NOus
my son, should be too well trained in
the ways of the city to be deceived by
pretenders"
you may take my guarantee for
John Barrett" said 1.
Yet little later l would have been
glad to know somewhat more about the
man, for it became evident to me soon
err even than to my mother that l had
assumed fearful responsibility. Poor
little Peggy hadn't praised John Bar
rett so long in our own domestic circle
without convincing herself upon the
matter. And when she came to know
him he was or seemed to be so surely
| that which she had pictured him in her
own fancy that the dear girl really was
| in sore danger of losing her heart.
Among his other charms Barrett pos
sessed the voice of an angel, and he
and Peggy used to sing together, and
| that's always dangerous.
| In short the question, "Who is John
Barrett" began to haunt me in my
dreams.
| | couldn't even find out what the man
did for living. So far as could per-
ceive he did nothing, and the way he
| evaded my best efforts to sound him
was an education in social diplomacy.
| One day, however, l got ray of light
had called upon my friend in the aft
ernoon, and the maid had let me into
| the parlor just wee bit in advance of
her orders, fancy. l found Barrett in
| the act of receiving money from q
queer looking old fellow who presently
IA EK q 3EMl I'm