Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-02-21

have at least an offer a week 1t will not
be my fault. I'm going to invite all the
young fellows home to dinner while
she's here. Now watch things bile"
Barnett, nomnally mining broker,
was. in fact, president of the polo club,
secretary of the Sage Grass Golf asso-
ciation-in short, financial nurse to ev-
cry collection Of amiable sports in the
town. He knew all 1.-THE best fellows
IN the state aud now became more pop
uiar 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" us 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 fiattered by the
slightest unbending on her part.
However, several of these young fell
lows turned out on acquaintance to be
socially related to some of her friends
in Boston and New York and in that
!, way won n certain acceptance which
no mere civil engineer from Omaha or
professor from st. Louis could hope to
attain. They We're met on the conyen-
'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
he fell in state Of collapse. The excite
lnent, the late hours, the contact with
new types aud, above all, the attempt
to understand the country and his re-
lationship with it had wora him out.
Then Ann said in her decisive way: 81
don't believe this altitude is good for
Louis think will take him home
again."
"Oh, don't do that. 1t 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
good chap. He'll take to the boy like
anything. Pm sure of it"
The plan as worked out by Rarnett
involved 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. II must stay and nurse Jean
nette."
Ann was afraid to let Louis go alone,
but Barnett poohpoohed her Hell
get on all right. Ia fact, he'll rejoice
to be free Of us for n day or two. I'll
wire the mail carrier to meet him and
take him down, and I'll send a 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
Il want to see him properly settled"
she said.
Barnett slyly winked at his wife.
He really wanted to see Ann "jarred,"
It'll do her good to rough it little"
he said privately. Thereupon Louis,
trembling with eagerness, began to
rustic his outfit" He bought pistol
rife, broad trimmed hat, some bian-
kets and the most highly ornamental
cattleman's saddle in the Springs.
What a child you are!" Ann ex.
claimed as she watched him, her eyes
warming with love and pride. You're
q dear boy!" she added as he came to
her side.
Helooked up at her tenderly. you're
good to me- Hesper," he said fervently.
Ssh! Don't ever call me by that abb
surd name"
ut isn't absurd l 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
or you. She's q very good cook, 80
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 compan5
than Jones'" !
CHAPTER III.