Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-10-24

went by.
"And this year?'' she asked, school.
| ing herself to a calm Indifference
This year? No, indeed. Ken says
| he can't afford the railroad trip
Mamma wrote and told him we want,
ed to add fernery to the drawing
| rooms this winter, and then it takes
such lot of money to dress deceit
ly-it's awful, the prices one has to
pay for gowns-so Ken very sensibly
sent mamma a check and went right
out to the Pacific coast. Ken loves
work"
Mignon's pretty mouth stretched
slightly in suppressed yawn, and as
she rocked the wind blew her fimsy
gown, whose elaborate simplicity be-
token the touch of skilled, if expen-
sive, professional, showing dainty
white kid shoes and white, open
worked, lace-inserted stockings, for
Mignon was unsurpassably chic in her
gowning.
''The fall is delightful, but it means
lot of hard work. Mamma and I have
been shopping for two weeks and
spending hours at Celeste's, and now
we find the drawing room furniture has
to be gone over before give my early
winter reception. Then, too, the opera
begins so early-too early. You must
come with us to the opening, cherie. ]
wrote Ken that if L didn't have hand
some new gown for that night posi-
lively would not 60"
The shadows deepened in tie soft
brown eyes, and an added melanchol!
=, o,,x 10 TN al
to catch the evening breeze and tbs
pale light of the rising moon.
GLOW fond he was of music. noes he
still sing? His voice was so beautiful
she said, stretching up to break half
blown rose from it's stem.
'sSsng? How on earth can Ken sing
when he has to potter around that hor-
rid machinery morning, noon and
night? He looks awfully old. His hair
is turning gray. So ridiculous! Ken's
just little over 80. You ought to see
his working suit. Overalls and cap
Fancy! He sent us his photo taken
while he was in the refinery. But we
tore it up. Mamma was furious. Did /
show you the last one he had taken in
Cuba? It's dreadful, because he had
just been sick with fever, but thai
didn't prevent his working. He says
he can't afford to be sick, and I believe |
that's the best way to get well any
how. Just go ahead and not mind the |
sickness"
''You mean to say your brother was |
i'll and kept at his work?' Blanche |
asked, a flame of color sweeping over |
her face, her eyes blazing with grief |
and indignation.
''Why, you ought to know Ken well |
enough to know he wouldn't stop work |
for a silly attack of fever, particular
1y when he knows how much mamma
and I need. Why, year before last he
had rheumatism he caught cold out in
Washington state. Well, he took posi-
ton offered him while he could hardly
WALK; and he was right, because
Cha rlie Duncan wanted it, and would
have gotten it if Ken hadn't gotte1
there in time. I'll get you his photo
With lazy grimace Mignon swept into
the library, and returning put Ken
neth's picture in Blanche's hand, toe
ABSORBED in the approach of a hand
some auto to notice the look on he1
friends face.
''We've come for you, Miss Mignon
We are going out to the lake." called
out the driver. as the vehicle stepped
before the front gate and lawn of the
beautiful old house.
''Get wrap and come on Mignon
It's such delightful evening. Well
take supper out there. I'm chaperon
Well be back by r."
kissing her careless1y, with gay
words of excuse, Mignon hurried in
doors for the automobile coat of honi-
ton and chiffon, so skillfully made by
the fingers of Felicie. her French maid
without noticing that Blanche still |
held the photogra phi of Kenneth as she
went down the steps into the garden
all aglow with late summer flowers,
and passed out into the broad avenue
where electric lights were shining like
stars.
The machinery in the Pacific coast re. /
finery rumbled on in its even, monot.
onous way. and hour followed hour |
while Kenneth went from the great |
pans to the other parts of the house
watchful and painstaking. until dawr
broke in the east, the sun rose, and
shril1 whistle called six o'clock and
change of watch.
A half hour later Kenneth left the
refinery, going toward the building
where he, with the other employees
of the Pacific Coast refinery, tool |
their meals and had their rooms
Entering his, which was small an6
clean and bare, adorned only by three
photographs, one of a gray-haired lady
whose characterless face still showed
remnants of beauty; one Mignon'=I
beautiful and brilliant, where an ali.
absorbing egotism was yelled by the
witchery of the face, and third, that