The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1904-03-18

that | can go home happy, provided, OF
course, that you accept my proposal.
Dear lady" began the besotted
lover but she stopped him by saying:
wait till l get through. 1t is new
experience to me, and | want to finish
without interruption"
please go on" whispered Harry.
She turned toward him and said,
clearly and distinctly: Il want to know
first, Harry. if you have any objection
to getting married"
His head swan at these words, and
he caught at the fence to keep from fan
ing to the ground. She was tapping
the lower step with her foot while wait
ing for his answer, which after several
efforts he made in these words: Moth
ing could make me happier"
1T is all right, then" she said, smil-
ing. Now, my dear boy, listen to me-"
Go on" murmured Harry.
Il believe l told you once" said the
lady, that inherited from my grand
father large farm, the old family es-
tate, and part of the fortune he willed
me-
Il had forgotten whispered Harry.
We'll, she continued, that farm has
been a worry to my trustees and to me,
for the man in charge of it is an ig
norant, incapable person, and it has
actually been run at a loss for several
years. l don't like to sell it, for it is
old family property, and l don't like tc
keep it at an expense
Yes" said the bewildered Harry.
Now" said Miss Stewart, 81 de-
termined some time ago to hire new
superintendent, but could not find one
to suit me. When l came here 1 no.
ticed that you seemed very familiar
with farm work, and it occurred to me
that you might be the man l wanted. 1
determined to satisfy myself of your
fitness for the place, and l must say
first that my investigation has had sat
isfactory results. l shall offer you the
place under certain conditions"
Madam" said larry.
Wait" she interrupted, there are
certain conditions. There is a COM
Portable house on the farm which you
must occupy, but rooms must be re-
served for my husband and myself, for
there each summer"
Your husband?" groaned Harry.
YES" said the lady. Mr. Lansdow
and l are to be married this winter, you
know, and shall visit the farm next
summer unless we conclude to remain
abroad for another year."
oh" muttered Harry.
Il spoke to Mr.. Lansdow about you
soon after l came here, and he ap-
proved my plan, but he made sugges-
ton that l think wise. He says you
ought to get married. The farm will
need mistress"
| "1ndeed?" said the befuddled Harry.
Eyes" said the lady, land while test
ing your fitness for superintendent,
have been arranging to secure you
wife. My maid, Nora Jeffries is willing
to marry you and help manage the farm.
l have written to her. left her at home,
you know, for there is no room for her
here. You will like her, l know. She
is not pretty, but she is strong, indus
trious and good tempered, and not yet
80 years old. You can go to see her,
of course. but that is hardly necessary,
for she has consented The reason |
want you to marry her is that she knows
my ways, and will be a great conven-
fence to me when visit the place in the
summer"
Harry was love sick, of course, and
the destruction of loves young dream
was great shock, but he was a strong
healthy young man. The whole situa.
fn flo = i
termined to meet it without betrayine
himself. so he asked in businesslike
way and with but a slight tremor in his
! voice:
! What salary is attached to the po-
sition?"
Il am paying the present incumbent
$50 month" she answered, "but shall
pay you $780,"
You are very kind, madam, "but
I cannot accept your offer"
rs that final decision?" she asked.
in disappointed tone
Indeed it is" he replied, "and 1
leave tomorrow for Montana, where 1
shall locate permanently"
| Il am so sorry" she said, regretful-
ly. but I must look for soHle one else
suppose.
They went to the house. When she
came down to breakfast in the morn
ing he was gone.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lansdow sometimes saw
the name of Harry Moulton in the pa
! pers as one of the leading men of the
west. but they probably never thought
/ OF him as the same young farmer who
had refused to marry Nora Jeffries AID
manage their farm.
NaEsfng Wife Forfeits Rights.
i. Thara 10 nd; inl