Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-03-13

r.
me, Ned, are you in love with Mar
gery?"
The abrupt question was something
of a clear-sly thunder clap to- Ray
mer, but he met frankness with
frankness.
SCI am, Kenneth; and II guess I
have been for a good WHILE
$50 far, so good. Now, how much
do you love her?''
Raymer's smile faded to grimace.
"Oh, come off, old man; you
mustn't toast me ON a gridiron that
way" he protested.
"Yet I must know" Griswold per-
sisted. eff you can't stand the test,
I'm done before. i begin"
''AIl right; get out your crucibles
and melt me down"
"Good again. Is it Margery her
self, or Jasper Grierson's daughter
that you are in love with? 2"
eff I thought you were really in
doubt about that, I'd beat you," said
Raymer.
ST wasn't, but I wanted to clear
the way. That disposes of Jasper
Grierson's million or SO, and brings
us down to Margery, the young wom-
an. Now, then, supposing some one
should come along and tell you that
this charming young woman has
nothing behind her in the way of
lineage; nothing on the fathers side,
as everybody knows, and less than
nothing on the mothers, as every
body has suspected. Suppose, in adj
dition to this, that Margery herself
hof Sho &c 1oolxino in all
the things that Edward Raymer) may
demand of his wife, even to we'll
equipped conscience. Would that
make any difference"
Raymer> was on his feet now,
tramping up and down like a baited
bull. 1t showed his athletic figure
off to the best advantages; and there
was something fiercely heroic in the
way he wheeled and flung up his
head at the question.
Damn it, man! I tell you I love
her-love her for what she is to me.
What in Gods name are you driving
at, anyway"
Griswold ignored the demand.
''That is all 1 wanted to know. Now
for little friendly hint. She has
broken with her father, and needs a
good, stout man to lean on. It's
half-past seven. and I should think
you might reach Mereside by eight,
if you hurry"
Now Edward Raymer was a man
self-contained and deliberate on all
ordinary occasions, but at this he
broke with his traditions. In a mo-
ment he had snatched his hat and
was gone, leaving Griswold to close
the office and to follow at his leisure.
The town clock in the courthouse
tower-a gift from Jasper Grierson
was striking eight when Griswold
turned into the lake drive and let
himself in at the Farnham gate.
There were two figures on the veran-
da, but only two. Little Miss Gill
man was always shy of the night
air. 1t was Charlotte who came to
the steps to welcome him; but the
doctor added his word from the
depths of the great wicker lounging-
chair.
"Come in and be at home" he said.
81 hope you had the good sense to
take care of yourself after your wet
ting"
oOOAA q "'AAAo1AJ
if that's what you mean," laughed
the young man, who knew the doc
tors crotchets.
That is what 1 mean. Get pipe
or cigar. You know where they
are"
But Griswold said he did not care
to smoke, and went to sit beside
Charlotte's hammock. For a time
the talk drifted aimlessly, as summer
evening chat will. with three to car
ry it, when. boy came up the walk
with call for the doctor, and the
elder man rose to obey it..
"You may thank your lucky stars
that you didn't study medicine, my
boy" he said to Griswold, by way
of leave-taking; and so he went away
and left them.
"Are you glad that you didn't
study medicine?" said Charlotte,
when the stiffness of the night had
| swallowed up the sounds of her ia
theirs departure.
81 don't know. think I am glad
for everything that has happened to
me-"
"That is an odd thing to say
"Why Is it odd?"
Because some of the happenings
must have been disagreeable, at
least
"None the less I am thankful for
| everyone of them"
why ?"' she asked in turn.
Because each one has been a wheel
under the train to bring me here"
rs that a compliments
mo. it's the simple truth" He
leaned forward and took the hand
on the hammock's edge in his own
and held 1t firmly. Charlotte, dear,
1 stand tonight at the parting of the
| ways-no, that is not a good figure,