Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1905-10-06

was Ine minute my eyes lighted on
it, and | Couldn't just couldn't re-
sist il.
The man on the box-still wide and
well-kept-was wide-awake this time.
] nodded to him as ! slipped in and
closed the door after me.
"I'll wait for the bishop" ] said,
with a relocated assurance that left
him no alternative but to accept the
situation respectfully.
oh dear, dear! II was soft aad
warm inside as it had been that long,
lOng-ago day. The seat was wide and
roomy. The cushions had been done
over-l resented that-but though
different material, they were still
darker plum. And instead Of Quo
Vadis." the bishop had been reading
Resurrection"
] took ii up and glanced over II as
sat there; but, you know, Mag. the
weight plays never appealed TO
me. don't 60 in for the tragic-per-
haps ! saw too much of the real thing
when | was little.
AT any rate, II seemed dull TO Inc,
and put it aside and sat there alb
sent-mindedly dreaming of little girl
thief that ! knew once when-when
the handle of the door turned and the
bishop got in, and We we're of.
Oh, the little bishop-the contrast
between him and the fat, pompous
rig caught me! He seemed hitler
and leaner than ever, his little white
beard scantier, his soft eye kindlier.
and his soft heart
God bless my SOUL" he exclaimed
jumped almost out of his neat little
boots, while he looked sharply over his
spectacles.
What did he see? Just a relocated
ghost dreaming in the corner of his
carriage. 1t made him doubt ais
eyes-his sanity. ! don't know what
he'd have done if that warm red
ghost hadn't got tired of dreaming. and
laughed outright.
Daddy" | murmured, sleepily.
Oh, that little ramrod of a BISHOP
The blood rushed up under his clear
thin. baby-like skin and he sat up
straight and solemn and awful-awful
as such tiny bishop could be.
Il fear, MISS you have made a mis-.
take" he said, primly.
! looked at him steadily.
"You know | haven't" said. gently.
That took some of the starch out of
him, but he eyed me suspiciously.
Why don't you ask me where /
got the coat, Bishop Van Wagenen'"
| said. leaning over to him.
He started. | suppose he'd just that
moment remembered my leaving il be.
hind that day at Mrs. Ramsays.
lord bless mel" be cried s-y's.
ly. You haven't-you he.
again"
mo, ! haven't" All. Maggie, Gear.
II was worth lot to me TO be aGle to
say that mo" to him. 1T was given
70 me. Guess who gave it to me-"
He shook his head.
My husband"
Maggie Monahan. he didn't even
blink. Perhaps in the bishops set
husbands are not uncommon, or very
likely they don't know what a husband
like Fred Obermuller means.
i congratulate you, my child, Or
OF did it-were you"
why, I'd never seen Fred 0bermul-
Ter them" ! cried. Cant you tell a
difference, bishop" pleaded. Don't
! look like a-an imposing married
woman now? Don't seem a bit-oh.
just bit nicer?"
His eyes twinkled as he bent % look
more closely at me.
You look-you look. my little girl,
exactly like the pretty, big-eyed,
wheedling-yoiced child ! wished to
have for my own daughter"
! caught his hand in both Of mine.
Now, that's like my own, own
BISHOP" | cried.
Mag-Mag. he was blushing like a
boy, prim. rather scared little school
boy that somehow, yet oh knew he
must feel kindly to me! ! felt so fond
of him.
you see. Bishop Van Wagenen."
began softly. Il never had a father
and"
Bless me! But you told me that
day you had mistaken me for-for
him"
The baby! | had forgotten what
that old Edward told me-that this
trusting soul actually still believed all
I'd told him What was ] to do? |
Ill 4 =. 4