Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1905-09-08

lie7e that: and the lack of Just that
word from him spoiled all my salts
faction with myself. and walked out
with Mrs. Gates through the hall ana
past the dining-room feeling as hurt
as though I'd deserved that a nlan
like latimer should notice me.
The dinine-room was all l'ohted
but empty-the colored, shaded can.
dlesticks glowing down on the cut
grass and silver, on delicate china and
flowers. The ladies and gentlemen
hadn't come Out TO supper yetY at
least only one was there He was
standing with his back TO me, before
the sideboard, pouring out a glass of
something from decanter. He
turned at the rustic of my starched
skirt, aud. as | passed the door. he
saw me. | saw him, too, aud hurried
away.
Yes, | knew him. Just you wait.
got home here earlier than I'd ex.
pected, and I'd just got of my hat and
jacket and put away that snug little
check when there came a ring at the
bell
thought it was you, Mag-that
you'd forgotten your key. | was so
sure of it that pulled the door open
wide with flourish and
And admitted-Edwardl
Yes, Edward. husband of the dow
ager. The same red-faced. big-necked
old fellow, husky-voiced with whisky
now, just as he was before. He must
have been keeping it up steadily ever
since the day out in the country when
Tom lifted his watch. It'll take more
than one lost watch to cure Edward.
"l-followed you home, Miss Murie-
son." he said, grabbing me by the
hand and pushing the door closed be-
! hind him. "0r is it Miss Murieson?
Which is your stage name. and which
your real one? And have you really
learned to remember itY For my part,
any old name will smell as sweet, now
that I'm close to the rose"
jerked my hand away from him.
81 didn't ask you to call" said,
naughty as the dowager herself was
when first saw her in her gorgeous
parlor. the bishops card in her hand.
NO. noticed that" he roared,
jovially. you skinned out the front
door the moment you saw me- All
that was left to me was to skin after.
"Why?"
Why" He slapped his leg as
though he'd heard the best joke in the
world. TO renew our acquaintance
of course. To ask you If you wouldn't
like me to buy you red coat and hat
like the one you left behind you that
day over in Philadelphia, when you
cut your visit so short. To insist
upon my privilege of relationship. Tc
call that wink you gave me in the hall
that day, you little devil. Now, don't
look at me like that ! say, let's be
friends; won't you?"
Not for a red coat trimmed with
chinchilla." I cried.
He got between me and the door.
prices gone up?' he inquired
pleasantly. Who's bulling the
stock"
Never you mind, SO long as his
name isn't Ramsay"
But why shouldn't his name bt
Ramsay" he cooed.
| Just because it isn't I'm expect.
ing a friend. Hadn't you better e
home to Mrs. Dowager Diamonds?"
Bully! Is that what you call her
No, Ia stay and meet your friend"
Better not"
"Oh. I'm not afraid. Does he know
as much about you as do?"
More"
About your weakness for othel
girls coats?'
yes"
you do know it all, don't you? Ant
yet you care for me- Maggie Mona
han!"
| retreated before him into the din
ing-room What in the world TO do Il
get rid of him.
81 think you'd better go home, Mr.
Ramsay" | said again, decidedly. IL
you don't, I'll have to call the janitol
to put you out.
Call. sweetheart. He'll put vol
out with me; for I'll tell him thinl
or TWO about you, and we'll go ant
find a better place than this. Stool
can't be quoted so high. after all, i
this is the best prospectus your frien(
can put up. Why don't Vol
CALI"
| looked at him. | was thinking.
"Well?' he demanded
1--WE changed my mind"
Oh. Mag, Mag, did you ever see tn,
man-ugly as a cannibal he may b.
and old as the cannibals great-grand
father-that couldn't be persuaded b,
vas lady-killer?
His manner changed altogether. H,
pumped down on the lounge and pat
ted the place beside him invitingly
giving me wink that was deadly.
But. Mrs. Dowager!" | exclaimed
, coquettishly.
"Oh. that's all right, little one! Sh,
, hasn't even missed me yet. Whel
she's playing bridge she forgets evel
to be jealous
Playing bridge" murmured
| $500. - 4.