Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1904-12-14

commonplaces and the evening, which
was one worth talking about, for the
moons full light glowed in the naples
and fell checkered through the lat
ticed, vine-hid porch where they sat,
the syringas in the dooryard mingled
their odor with the new mown mead
ows, and the low murmur of the Mizzy
falls whispered in the balmy air-an
evening when Cupid should be abroad.
But Angie was decidedly out of har-
mony with it. She would not have
gone to church had she dreamed that
Martin would have intruded his COM
pany upon her She could not refuse
it without affront, and thus caught,
had gone on to feel herself a spectacle
for all eyes and target later for all
tongues, and this, in the face of her
determined effort, so far, to avoid his
attentions. Something of this came to
him by degrees, however, and when
they were left alone together his first
words were humble.
Il owe you an apology, Angie" he
said, quite meekly, land realize I've
put my foot in it, tonight; l didn't
until l saw that we were stared at,
and hope that you will pardon my
blunder"
ooh, it was nothing" responded
Angie, quietly. "and no harm has been
done" 1t was the least she could
say.
Eve been away so many years." he
continued, 1--WE forgotten Greenvale's
social laws, and how they will gossip
here. 1 won't make another such
blunder, assure you" Then, as she
made no further response to this, per-
force he had to speak of something,
and launched into a recital of the
incidents of his recent trip with Dr.
Sol. 1t was ancient history to her.
but she listened and commented with
simulated interest. 1t was forced, as
Martin soon felt, and a gradual sense
of his own failure to interest her grew
upon him. Beyond that her chilly re-
ception of him upon all occasions,
added to the changes he had found in
his old haunts, now rendered him
gloomy. He had tried his best to be
agreeable, he had spoken all the
pleasant words he could, pertinent to
the occasion; he had shown his de-
sire to pay her attention, and it all
availed not. His return had so far
been disappointment in all respects,
and he began to wish that he had kept
away from Greenvale
did you ever read the story of
Rip Van Wrinkle, Angie" he asked at
last, "and how the old fellow, after
sleeping 20 years, returned to his
village to find himself dead to all? l
never before realized how he felt, but
tonight l do I've been here less than
week, but l have come to realize
How soon We are forgot as Rip said. -
1t was not wise speech, and in
view of the manner in which he had
turned his back upon Angie years be-
fore, it was an ungrateful one It
stung her to the quick; and yet he was
her guest, and she forbore to reply
sharply.
I'VE are all in the same position. =
she answered pleasantly, land out of
sight, out OF mind, applies to us all.
If one forgets he should not complain
at being forgotten"
THAT is true,' he replied, quick to
catch her reproof, but the grind of
life and fight for competence are
factors that must be considered We
are not always our own masters in
life
mo-" she said with a laugh. and
still resolved to be nice, 81 have real
lied that many times when my own
purse was empty and I owed a few
bills"
For moment he paused, as if con-
sidering how to answer, and then sud-
denly rose to go.
'Once again, beg your pardon for
the annoyance I caused you this even
ing" he said, "and l assure you it
won't happen again. see 1 alone am
to blame for being forgotten. l R'ust
make a fresh beginning. May l call
again."
'Why-yes-o course" she replied,
also rising, eve are near neighbors,
and why shouldn't you?"
And with that slight encourage
ment, he bade her good night
There are some invitations to call
that mean stay away.