Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-04-10

isn't it a little gem. Horatio?''
Eyes. oh, yes, Martha, 1 like it,
he said, warmly. You go right il
and buy it. Don't you wait, or some
body elseowfll get in ahead. The Pc
sizes on it are beautiful. Martha, i
reminds mei'
After a little he went on alone
down the street.
Easter Sunday dawneli .i.ar ant
perfect. Martha woke 10 the ..tril
of Easter carols outside her window
A myriad of little birds scanned w
rising. The jubilant chorus filed al
the air.
Tim thankful it's pleasant
thought Martha. 81 want it to BIT
pleasant to-day She went aboui
her morning duties with a lighr
heart. At breakfast she chartered
like a girl.
"Horatio, you're going to church
with me to-day thought you might
like to knowi"
mo. no. Martha he said, hastily;
ST guess won't go to-day-not to
day."
81 said you were goingi" She
laughed. Didn't you promise tt
love, honor and obey Is years agoi
I'm through marching off to church
alone every Sunday morning"
sBut I'm tired, Martha. I'm goins
to stay at home and get rested uf
for tomorrow"
eyes, I know-I guess I'm always
tired, Martha"
'Then you must go to church an6
rest. Horatio Whitney, do you know
how long ago it was that you went
to church with me?"
'sNo, I don't. Don't reckon
Martha"
''Well. won't if you'll turn over
a new leaf to-day. I've set my heart
on your. going to meeting with me,
dear
He flushed painfully. Martha was
making it very hard. If she hadn't
said "deari"
''But IL can't, Martha. I'd like tc
if I could"
s'Say: But / can, dear'-say it
Horatioi" She was round on his side
of the table, with her hand on his
arm. Come upstairs and get ready
We don't want to be late on Easter
I've got your things all out on the
bed"
IL haven't any things, Martha
You mustn't ask mel can't 60"
''Well, I've got my things all oui
on the bed, then. I want you to
come up and see my things, dear
Comet"
He could not resist her. She was
like the old girl Martha-persistent
and irresistible. He yielded weakly
and followed her up the stairs. The
Easter things were spread out on tbs
bed. Horatio Whitney uttered =
queer sound at the sight of them.
Martial"
"Well, don't you like them? Don't
you like my Easter bonnet, dearf
I like it better than any I ever had
before, all the Casters of my life
Now I will try it on and let you see
how becoming it isl
She set the soft gray felt hat on
his head and whirled him round to
the mirror. Then she threw the
handsome gray overcoat across his
shoulders and laid the gloves against
his sleeve:
"See how they match!" she cried
"And they all match you. You great
stupid boy. to stand there as if you
didn't recognize YOURSELF"
81 DON'T" he gasped. Suddenly he
faced about. 'But, Martha
Say dear
'But, dear, don't understand. You
were going to get the one with ap-
blossom buds on it"
.'What do you call that?" She had
caught up little thing in lace and
whirling it round on her fingers be-
fore his astonished eyes. AREN'T
those apple-blossom buds? Can't you
smell 'em? You ought to, for they're
the very ones you declared you could
smell Is years ago! The very ones
Horatio! I got out the little old bon
net, and there were the flowers as
fresh as ever-not withered at all!
Snip, snip-I had cut them off and
there they were on my Easter bon
net! Now, We'll go to church, DEAR
He walked along the sunny street
beside her as if in pleasant dream
Unconsciously, he held hin1sel
straight and walked briskly.
They seemed to get ahead of every
body. Once Martha gave him a lit
tie push.
go on ahead little way" she
whispered, there's no one now to no
tice, and I want to look at you as
w.ho1e!"
When she caught up with him, shs
squeezed his arm gently. "You 1oob
handsome, ,Horatio Whitney-don't
tell me you don't! Now tell me
look handsome
Martha, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. look
good enough to eat!" 1t was a home
L. l,,,+