Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-08-23
A Dark Horse.
BY BELLE MANDATES.


Ing. and l have three pretty daugh-
ters, and"
II certainly can't refuse such al
Turing Inducements" laughed Thorn
ton, and trust. Mr.. Darnley. ]
won't BIO trespassing too much on
your hospitality and the good ma
turc OF your household by accepting
nm impromptu invitation"
The household is an unconventional
one. and delights In opening doors
wide when q friend knocks" replied
the elder man, taking down the tel
ephone.
"Hello! This you, Madge? Mr..
Thornton is In town-you have often
heard me speak of him. have per-
suaded him to remain over and pay
us visit. Yes, he'll come home with
me tonight" After the transaction
of some business which had brought
Roger Thornton. the son Of an old col
lege friend Of Mr.. Darnleys. to the
city. they took n suburban train to
the latter's country home.
THE house looks rather forbid
ding" observed Mr.. Darnley. as they
came up the gravcled road, but the
girls detest lights in summer. pre-
sumo they are back in the garden.
Sit down here on the porch and ]
will gather them up"
Roger seated himself comfortably
at the end of the vlne-clad veranda,
while his host went around the
house. 1t was q still summer night,
the sky motionless and starless. AS
he sat there musing over the pleas
ant anticipation of meeting three so
beautiful girls as were portrayed in
the photograph their fond parent had
displayed to him, he heard a light
football behind him. Then two soft
arms encircled his neck, velvety
cheek was laid against his own, and
q beautiful voice murmured tenderly:
What made you so late, dear?'
Roger sat like man dazed.
stunned by the touch Of lips and
cheek. After throbbing silence he
half whispered:
Il beg your pardon!"
There was Mortified exclamation,
a swift withdrawal Of arms, and the
sound OF vanishing skirts.
In a distant part Of the house he
heard echoes Of mirthful laughter
Presently Darnley came out OF the
house.
After providing all over the
grounds, ! found the girls in the din
ing-room preparing a chatting dish
luncheon for us. Come in and meet
them"
Through the long, dimly-lighted
rooms Roger followed his host, his
pulses tingling at the anticipation OF
meeting her. In the dining-room he
was presented to the three girls. In
vain he looked into the roguish faces
seeking some tell-tale token that
would denote the one who had greet
ed him SO affectionately. But not a
sign of confusion or enlightenment
did he receive.
Il must tell you good joke. Thorn
ton," laughed Darnley. THE girls
supposed 1t was your father / was
to bring home with mel"
Indeed And was / also supposed
to be my father when sat out on the
porch just now?" he asked, mean
ingly.
There was trio of laughing voices
and knowing glances.
mo. You were thought to be me-"
explained Darnley. See II you can
guess which one made the embar-
RAISING error
There is but one way In which
can decide that NATTER" replied Rog.
err, gravely.
"How?" demanded the trio.
II must close my eyes, and each
one of you can in turn come up be-
hind me and repeat the error! Then,
I might decide"
This was positively and laughing.
" declined. After a merry evening,
Roger retired, unable to decide which
Of these beautiful young women he
thought the most charming. The next
day and evening found him still IN
decided, and also in the dark as to
who had bestowed upon him the feet
ing embrace.
On the third evening Of his visit,
Marie Loveridge. a niece OF Mr..
Darnley's, arrived to pay visit. She
was q type altogether different from
her light-hearted, laughter-lovtng
cousins. She had winsome. wistful
face, q petite form, low. charming
voice, and a sweet, quiet manner.
Roger found himself always waiting
for her entrance, II she were not in
the room, listening to her when 9TH
ers were talking, and following her
with his eyes and thoughts when eti-
ouette demanded his attention 70
others. He made 1t entirely obvious
that his desire was to be with her ex-
clusiyely, and the three Darnley girls
good.naturedly made all sorts OF little
devices for throwing their cousin into |
the young mans society.
But there was ever delicate little |
air Of reserve about Marie that he
could not vanquish. In the presence
Of Others she was responsive and
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