Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-10-30
CHAPTER K.
PASSING DAYS.

Rossiter had his third dance with
Miss Densmore, but he saw that it
was an effort for her to GO through
the changes. Indeed. the spirits of
the whole company had fallen many
degrees. Miss Merton's friends de-
clared that they must be going home,
and with their departure the two
girls retired to the house. Rossiter
fingered a few moments in the kim
after they had left and then sought
his cot. He could not sleep, how
ever, and as the music still continued
his thoughts drifted with it up and
down the gamut of the nights hap
penings. He wondered if Miss Dens-
more would be able to carry out her
determination to keep from the store
of her hop-picking experiences
naught but the pleasant for her
treasure-trove of memory. He feared
this was little likely, though he real
lied that she was a girl of strong
will. In such matters, however, the
mir1 cannot be coerced. Then he be-
gan to query what part, if any, he
played in that which she would re-
tain and cherish. He was now past
calling himself fool for dwelling
upon her. He had suddenly assumed
a different attitude in this regard.
He would indulge in the luxury of
playing the moth. There was fine
exaltation in being singed at SO
bright a flame, and if no one save
himself was aware of the singeing,
what did it matter?
Late in the night soft rain began
falling, and it's monotone lulled Ros-
| sitter to sleep. Everything was drip
ping in the morning, and no one
| turned out early, for picking was inn
possible. BY three o'clock, however,
| a portion of one yard which stood
| upon high ground was sufficiently
| dry under foot, so work was here re-
sumed. All the land near the house
devoted to hops had by this time
! been cleared, and the pickers were
| obliged to walk considerable dis
lance from the farm buildings before
reaching the scene of their efforts.
Rossiter caught but a glimpse OF
two of Miss Densmore on the day fol-
| lowing the dance, as she and Miss
Merton did not go into the fields.
| He had a bright nod from her as he
was hurrying by the house on an
errand for Parmelee, and again in the
| evening spoke an instant with her
| and with Miss Merton upon the
| porch. On Saturday, however, both
| girls were once more picking. In
fact, they were out earlier than
common.
| 'See how ambitious we are get
ting!" exclaimed Miss Merton, as
| Rossiter wished them good-morning.
L
Densmore. I'VE counted up our
! tickets last night, and calculated
how much money we were likely to
have at the end. I've spent mine in
my mind a dozen times already" and
she gave one of her infesssous Tits,
| laughs.
| That day was one OF s-sighs go
Rossiter. Both of tbs girls We. as
blithc as birds, and he caught so1-e-
thing of their gayety. Only once vas
there any reference to the occurrence
| which had in a measure married the
pleasure of the hop-dance.
Miss Merton had walked across To
chat moment with Mrs. Becraft, 90
I.whom she had taken a fancy, and
whom she recalled from the preced-
ing year, and Rossiter CHANGED to be
stripping pole near the box of the
two girls.
81 wanted to ask you a question, %
said Miss Densmore, when she saw
he had finished. miriam is not in
clined to talk about it for fear, ]
suppose, of disturbing me. But
wasn't that man the other night the
same one who"
YES" interrupted Rossiter, not
Ewaiting for her to complete the sen
tence. There seemed to be no other
way but to b perfectly frank with