The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-07-18

and demand attention. II She GoeSn
have at least an offer week it will not
be my fault. I'm going to invite al the
Young fellows home to dinner while
she's here. Now watch things bile
Barnett nominally a mining broker,
was, in fact, president of the polo club.
secretary Of the Sage Grass Golf asso-
ciation-in short, financial nurse to ev-
ery collection of amiable sports in the
town. He knew all "the best fellows
in the state and now became more pop
ular than ever The young men accept
ed his dinner invitations with graft
tude. and each and all paid prompt and
undisguised court to ''the proud eastern
beauty as one young fellow called
her. But they soon acknowledged fail
ure. Her reserve led to sense of In
jury and was reported to be arrogance
They were seldom fattered by the
slightest unbending on her part.
However, several of these young fel-
lows turned out on acquaintance to be
socially related to some Of her friends
in Boston and New York and in that
way won a certain acceptance which
no mere civil engineer from Omaha or
professor from st. Louis could hope to
attain. They were met on the conven-
tional plane, and they got no further
at any time.
Meanwhile Ann was really troubled
about Louis. He was eating less and
less each day, and his sleep was bro
ken, and at the end Of the first week
be fell in state of collapse. The excite
ment, the late hours, the contact with
new types and, above all, the attempt
to understand the country and his re-
lationship with it had worn him out.
Then Ann said in her decisive way: Il
don't believe this altitude is good for
Louis. I think I will take him home
again.
"Oh, don't do that. It isn't the alti-
tude; it's the social whirl Send him
down to my ranch. It's hole Of a
place, but it's just what he needs
nothing to see but coyotes and cow
boys. Well put him under Rob Ray
mond's wing. Rob's my foreman and
a good chap. He'll take to the boy like
anything. I'm sure Of il"
The plan as worked out by Barnett
involved a trip on his automobile for
the four Of them; but he delayed too
long. Mrs. Barnett entered upon one
Of her '.poor spells" and Donnelly,
faithful as a big dog, promptly told
Louis to go ahead and not wait for the
party. 81 must stay and nurse jean
nette."
Ann was afraid toilet Louis go alone,
but Barnett poohpoohed her. He'll
get on all right In fact, he'll rejoice
to be free of US for a day or two. I'll
wire the mail carrier to meet him and
take him down, and I'll send letter
to Raymond to look out for him. He'll
be more than safe. He'll be happy, and
he won't miss us in the least"
Ann insisted on going down herself.
st want to see him properly settled"
she said.
Barnett sly!y winked at bis wife.
He really wanted to see AnG :jarred." ;"
eth do her good 10 rough it a little"
he said privately Tl2ereupon Louis,
trembling wiz eagerneSs. began to
rustic his outfit" He bought pistol,
rifle, broad trimmed hat, some blan-
kets and the most highly ornamental
cattleman's saddle in the Springs.
What child you arem Ann ex-
claimed as she watched him, her eyes
warming with love and pride. you're
a dear boyw she added as he came to
her side
He looked up at her tenderly. you're
good to me, Hesper," be said fervently
'Sh! Don't ever call me By that abb
surd name"
ut isn't absurd. I like it." he said.
Barnett, seated at his telephone,
made every arrangement for them.
You'll be met by old Jones, and when
you get there Mrs. Jones will look aft
er you. She's very good cook, so
don't get nervous when you see her.
She's not pretty. Raymond will do his
best to entertain you, and when you
come back you'd better ask Raymond
TO put his own horses in the cart and
drive you out. He'll be better company
than Jones'"