Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-08-02
A Question Of Caste.
ny BELLE MANDATES.

sued their friendship openly and free
iy. but they had met In a most uncon-
ventional way, and there seemed to DO
a tacit, though unspoken. agreement
between them that their meetings
should DO clandestine.
Cleo was naturally interested and
excited when she found the house next
to theirs. which had been vacant for
so long. had been sold and was to be
occupied.
Her FIRST surreptitious inspection OF
one member OF the new family was
from n window overlooking their back
yard.
Johns, tall and straight. was critic
ally examining and testing stupen-
dous touring car. He looked very pic
turesque In n dark flannel shirt, his
wrists and throat In q dead white con-
trast to his bronzed face and hands.
He wore corduroy trousers and hunt
ing boots. His hat. back-tilted.
showed a dark, Byronic waving lock
across his brow.
Cleo's heart beat pleasurably. she
was born coquette, and presently. at
tired In the most delectable OF white
embroidered linen gowns, white shoes
and chiffon hat. she sauntered into the
back garden. He looked up. and his
glance fingered longingly. She feigned
to be unconscious of his presence and
began picking some flowers. Eventu-
ally she gave sidelong glance.
Blushing furiously at being detected In
his observation, he redoubled his at
tentions TO the automobile.
Cleo was not conventional.
Wont you have rose? she asked.
With eager haste and thanks he
crossed the boundary line to the two
gardens.
81 think we should be neighborly."
she said, with a little laugh.
~ quite agree with you." he replied,
decorously. land since there Is no one
present to introduce me, I will do my
self the honor Of presenting myself.
Carter Johns"
my name is Cleo Rivers" she said.
with naivete. did you just move In
last night? We heard the place had
been sold"
I'VE are only partly moved" he
said, smiling. II was anxious to see
II my new car came through safely.
think 1t Is In good shape"
at certainly looks SO to me-" she
answered, surveying the motor admir-
ingly.
do you like to rider"
Indeed I dol" she cried, enthusiast
tically. There is no sweeter music
than the chugging Of machine"
He couldn't tell afterwards how II
really happened. or which one Of them
first made the suggestion, but, any
way, he had an engagement to take
her out in the automobile that night.
He was afraid she would think him
presumptuous. but she had seemed
pleased, and blushed as she told him
she would have to meet him at the
stable-that "they" would never con-
sent. He treasured her that he un-
derstood the situation. and that he
would meet her anywhere and bring
her safely home.
She looked very elegant in her dark
attire, as she met him that night back
of the stable, and she thought him
even handsomer in conventional attire
than in his semi hunting garb.
They quickly sped away from the
crowded streets. and when they came
to a road that was free. Carter "let
her out" In a way that was intoxicat-
ing to Cleo.
Then he slackened up, and they
talked on a great many subjects. She
said, truly, and he believed her. that
she had never stolen out to meet any
one like this before.
"She Is young and unsophisticated."
he thought, land she came out with
me for the mere love of lark, but
I wish she could come to care for me
as do for her. I can't expect that"
HE Is simply grand!" she thought,
with a little thrill Of recollection
when she was safely back in her own
room, but he's 80 much older than
I and has seen 80 much Of the world.
Oh, I love him now, but Of course he
oh, mol" she concluded with q sad
little sigh.
The next afternoon as she was walk
ing through the park, he passed her In
his bluish-white car. She bowed, and
he lifted his hat courteously and
passed on. She was disappointed that
he did not stop and ask her to ride.
since he was alone. Before he had
gone very far his car stopped, and he
got out to investigate the cause. She
came on and up to him.
Something wrong?" she asked.
shyly.
He turned with a pleased. surprised
air.
mot much out Of gear. viii ad-
inst Il In q moment. May I take you
homer"
Certainly" she replied. joyously.
Cant we ride out into the coun-
try?" he asked, entreatingly.
She thought they could. and when
near the close Of the afternoon, they
A.. . mall .cuukrxr haka1 che a.