Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-12-06
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| PATTERNS
| OF PROPERTY
Copyright. BY Joseph b. Bowles.)
ny q. WASHINGTON
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alone-oh. II seems SO dull to be mar
ried!" Her eyes grew wistful.
She leaned forward. gazing intent
ly into the leaping flames. but Il was
no longer the white-tiled hearth and
polished brass that met her view; she
was far away.
oh. to be back there Just for once.
with sunburnt hands and an old
frock. gay and careless with the home
crowd-but she paused. What would
owen think? Had no not furnished
the fiat rs daihtily and beautifully
as possible to be a fitting background
for her. and how disappointed he
would be II he. knew how wickedly
discontinued she was.
At that instant there sounded
sharp rat-tat at the door. and Turn
er. the maid. appeared with an or
ange envelope and silver salver.
"A telegram" Her mistress spir
Its rose. "Oh. hope It's something
exciting. something delightful'-her
tone fell. mo answer" she said. de-
jectedly. and. a. the maid withdrew,
she tossed the crumpled missive into
the glowing fire.
Detained, don't wait dinner.
owen A whole day alone. and now
the whole evening. too" She pouted.
and her lips trembled like q child's.
And one Of cooks hatefully perfect
dinners to be sat through, with Turn
er mounting guard over me like .
policeman; can't stand II. I'm get.
ting to hate her! ! shall throw my
bread at her or scream. know
shall"
And then suddenly, as the sun
bursts out from q rain-eloud. o soft
radiance overspread her face. She
drew a long breath. clasped her
hands. and In ecstasy whispered: IN
do IT,"
She ran to the clock-one OF the
wedding presents, a pretty, fragile
toy. Cupid swinging In q wreath OF
hrilliants. and peered anxiously at
the dial.
"Only five! BY superhuman efforts
can catch the $40. reach Woodcote
at seven. and be with them all by
eight. What an inspiration, what a
stroke OF genius" She laughed JOY.
ously, all trace Of boredom vanished.
I'll be back tomorrow. and II Owen
10 dining out he won't miss me for
u few hours. oh. how astonished
they'll be when just walk in upon
them"
She rushed to the writing table
witfsan impatient swish OF her skirts.
Now, / must leave a note behind me
on the mantelpiece, just as they do
In plays and novels" and with q tri-
umphant little laugh she dashed of
hurried one.
Dearest must not think his wife
has deserted him; she has only run
home, and will be back early to-
morrow; her love AZ always"
"There!" She closed and sealed
the letter. propping II up against the
Cupid clock.
The grim Turner was considerably
surprised to see her usually immac.
ulate mistress leave the house twenty
minutes later clad in shabby serge
skirt and much worn rusty tam o
shanter.
Later that evening Mr.. Vansittart
opened the door with his latch-key;
he was tired after long days work
and the hight and warmth OF the fiat
struck an agreeable contrast to the
gloomy drizzle without.
His cheerful call of Peggy. whore
are your" brought Turner from the
regions of the kitchen.
Mrs. Vansittart thought you
would be dining out, sir" she in
formed him, "and has gone away.
There's q note for you on the mantel-
piece. What orders shall give cook
about your dinner?"
"A note-gone away, by Jove!"
said Vansittart to himself. whats
up now?"
He tore open the envelope, and
smiled as he read. Turner watching
furtively, summed up his conduct in
one word: "Heartless."
"What?" said her master. absent
ly. "Oh, no, I'll dine at the club"
but az the door closed behind the maid
he strolled to the window. mo, I'm
hanged II l WILL" he decided. 'I'm
not In the mood to turn out again.
or to dress, either. I've q good mine,
to spend q bachelor evening here. A
bachelor evening"" he. repeated; mot
q bad idea. They were good. old
days, after all-ease before elegance"
he cast disappearing eye about the
room. Strange what an amount OF
frippery women surround themselves
with"
so he arrayed himself in his old
smoking jacket-relic Of bygone days
piled coal on the fire. drew forward
the most comfortable chair, and pre-
pared for enjoyment.
Soon clouds of smoke filed the
room, wreathing about the delicate
hangings and damask curtains. - he |
pulled away in placid content. the silk
cushions In a mangled heap propping |
his head. He had arranged . syphon
and decanter at his elbow. his slip
pered feet were stretched IN the
h,... We ha co,lA eat through an