Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-07-19

rubbing his chin thoughtfully. you
know that is book TO which we
seldom refer, but-er-strictly speak.
ing. Miss Carney, | feel that 1t
should be egarded-er--in the main
Observation-Disclosures some au.
thorities do-er-l believe-er-claim
-er-"
A merry laugh from Miss Carney
interrupted this learned speech and
her roguish eyes fairly beamed with
ylee at the momentary discontinue
OF her guest, who had recovered him.
self in an instant and exclaimed:
Il am afraid you are incorrigible,
Miss Carney, but / did not think
you would be so cruel to me Of all
persons"
Miss Carney returned his good ma
tured smile and said, apologetically:
u expected you would refer me
to Mr.. Ware for my answer or /
shouldn't have dared to be 70 rude,
but thought 1t only courteous to
put the question to you first Of
all" -
AS soon as dinner was over she
excused herself for a moment to
visit Miss Weston and then Joined the
other ladies In the drawing-room,
leaving Mr.. Sedgewick and me to
our cigars and benedictine. / fear
] made poor companion, for my
thoughts were far away and realized
that like myself, but with greater
success, Miss Carney had been wear.
ing an air Of forced gaity and good
spirits all the evening.
] was heartily glad when the guests
were ready to leave, and, although
was tired from my practically Sleep
less night, ! wandered disconsolately
about the place until nearly ten, when
] seated myself In quiet corner Of
the veranda to smoke q small cigar
before retiring to my room. My
brain was so overwhelmed with the
realization that my hearts desire lay
within my reach that l sat in STUPID.
ly dazed sort Of way revolving the
matter slowly in my mind and try
ing to determine the proper course
to pursue.
My cigar was nearly burned out
and was on the point of going to
my room when a shadow fell across
the railing in front of me and Miss
Carney stood by my side.
q wondered If you would be here"
she said, nervously. Il wanted to see
you, for there is something l forgot
to say TO you last night"
She had slipped a long coat Of
dainty brocaded stuff over her dinner
dress and, as she stood in the
light of the drawing-room window,
she made a picture worthy the brush
Of the greatest genius that ever
lived.
Il won't sit down, thank you," she
continued, interlocking her fingers
and playing with her rings as if
greatly agitated. You know, Annie
is growing steadily worse, and the
doctor from the village says she
must have a nurse, SOL have tele.
graphed for two to come at once.
oh! | thought that dinner would never
end"
She seemed to feel the chilliness Of
the night air, but, declining my offer
to get her an additional wrap, she
drew the fur trimmed collar of her
cloak more closely about her neck,
and went on hurriedly:
you remember | once told you
that Annie and Jack, my brother, had
some sort of a disagreement just be-
fore he went away and that he left
this country because of 1t. Well,
Annie told me some time ago that
] was entirely wrong in my under
standing of the matter, and | have
wanted to tell you all about it so
many times, only l could never bring
myself to speak Of it"
She paused, and | could see that
she was weeping softly, but | had
myself we'll in hand, and even be-
fore | could speak, she resumed
slowly:
you saw Jack when he returned,
Mr. Ware, and you must know how
feel about ii all, but since Annie has
told me that he went away only be-
cause, when she knew of the nature Of
her disease and that her condition
was hopeless, she broke the en-
gagement between them and insisted
upon his leaving her in the hope
that his love would finally die out,
] cannot but look upon the matter
in a different light. That is why |
have tried to do everything in my
power for Annie, for, while at first
] merely valued her as a friend, !
now love her as a sister, but / have
never been able to bring myself
to a point where ! could condone
Jacks behavior. He has my SYM
pathy, of course, but he has no
reason to follow the course he has
and few or no excuses can be made
for him"
Her feelings overcame her at last
and, wiping away her tears, she sank
into the chair that / had left and
continued. plaintively: