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

Ges1de Blanche l grew nearly frantic
with jealousy. l had not counted on a
rival and the appearance of Ned on the
street after that always acted on me like
red rag on a goose, sir. Don't look as
if Id made a slip; / use the word adj
visedly, sir.
Ned, can say now, was good look
ing fellow with black curly hair cut so
that it seemed as if he had cap on
whei his hat was of, if you came up be
hind him. The next time you're back
of an orchestra see il you can't pick out
SONS fellow that looks like that, sir. At
that time / would have told you Ned
Renrich looked like a peach orchard
out of cultivation, but naturally l see
things clearer now. Ned was really
good looking fellow and good hearted
one, too, as I've found out many times
since then.
Between Ned and me the rivalry for
Branche Strings heart waged fast and
furious. We hardly spoke to each other
although we had been Passing acquaint-
ances before. Blanche never invited US
both to the house the same evening and
so direct clash was avoided.
Every time called the Widow Stirl-
ing sat there as calm and collected as
you please with pleasant nod for me
always and an occasional word or two in
the conversation. She never left us alone
in the room and gave me no chance to
speak to Blanche on the subject of which
my head and heart were full. l paid
both the ladies all sorts of pretty compli-
ments l could think of, but that was
about the limit. Several times when
Blanche aud were out together at social
affairs without the chaperonage of her
mother 1 had started to ask her for her
hand, but she had always stopped me
one way or another before could make
direct avowal of my love. Usually she
pretended petulancy and, If that ap-
peared about to fail, tears. Against the
latter l was powerless. Shs explained
the tears by nervousness and hysteria
to which she was liable.
Ned Remich and l used to glare at
each other as you've seen bulldogs do
across the street when some ones hold
ing them from each other. 1t was
Blanche Stirling that held us back while
at the same time she unknowingly melted
us to commit serious breach of the
peach.
when my passion had about reached
it's he ignt found another chance to dis
tinguish myself in this eyes of the Stirling
household. Passing the house late at
night, i was astounded to see man
trying to fit key at the front door.
haont heard from Blanche Tor two days,
4 h,,% !, ,I1 a%L H.
acted as bold as might be and whispered
to myself: There's pretty case OF
sneaA thieving that don't go on my beat!'
| with that up and grabbed him. He
started to yell, but 1 put my hand over
! his mouth. l wasn't going to let him
| arouse the Strings at that hour of the
night. The man fought and struggled,
but when he tried to enter into explana-
tons was feeling that savage hit him
J with my club until at least he had TO
come along quietly. At the station
booked him as drunk and what with the
clubbing I'd given him he acted it, too.
! ..ITaidn't want to be hard on the poor
devil alter the way I'd beaten him and
| judged that he'd think himself lucky to
| be let off with charge of drunkenness
after what he'd been attempting to do.
'The next morning when went down
to the station there was good sized
drama waiting for me. The central fig
ures were the Widow Stirling and her
pretty daughter Blanche. AS 1 entered
their backs were toward me and my
prisoner was just being led out of the
| cell.
1 = 1oy1 oh "a q h @ n o.
| in an instant and she was saying some
thing l didn't understand. l was thun-
derstruck At last they broke away and
she, looking toward me, gave a sudden
start.
Your father, Miss?" asked.
mo, my husband" was the reply.
"You could have knocked me down
with chunk of fog was that weak. The
| floor seemed to open under me and ]
rubbed my eyes to see if l couldn't wake
up. 1t was no go. coughed violently
and went into side room to get drink
Eof water to clear my throat.
| when came back the Strings were
gone and was called on for explana-
tions, which gave. The captain of the
night watch laughed heartily and long
until tears came to his eyes. Hooked on
but saw nothing to laugh about.
How got out of it don't know, but
1 was the recipient of many rude jest
| for week or so until threatened to
kill ION sight anyone that said Blanche
Stirling in my presence. ~
| 1t seems that her husband had arrived
the day before and was coming in late
that night when / mistooK him fer a
burglar Ned Remich was almost as bad
off as was, but the matter soon grew
i quieter as the Strings left town before
many days on account of the notoriety
they'd gained and were not heard of
again by me at least"