Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-03-29

MIS. Taylor.
But there are many reasons: and
above all Sister Theresa needs me-"
1t was the voice Of Olivia. a little
lower, little more restrained than
had known it; but undeniably 1t was
she.
But think Of the rose gardens that
are waiting for us out there!" said the
other lady. They we're showing her
the difference that elderly women al.
ways have for pretty girls.
Alas, and again alas!" exclaimed
Olivia. please don't make it harder
for me than necessary. But gave my
promise year ago to spend these
holidays in Cincinnati"
She ignored me wholly and after
shaking hands with the ladies' returned
] to the other platform. wondered
whether she was overlooking Taylor
on purpose to cut me.
Taylor was still at his lecture on the
needs of our American merchant ma
rine when Pickering passed hurriedly.
crossed the track and began speaking
earnestly to the girl in gray.
THE American flag should command
the seas. What We need is not more
battleshlps but more freight car
riers-" Taylor was saying.
But | was watching Olivia GLADYS
Armstrong In a long skirt, with her
hair caught up under a gray toque that
matched her coat perfectly, she was
not my Olivia Of the tam-o-shanter
who had pursued the rabbit; nor yet
the unsophiSticated school girl who
had suffered my idiotic babble; nor,
again, the dreamy rapt organist of the
chapel. She was a grown woman with
at least 20 summers to her credit, and
there was about her an air Of knowing
the world, and of not being at all a
person one would make foolish speech.
es to. She spoke to Pickering gravely.
Once she smiled dolefully and shook
her head, and | vaguely strove to re-
member where | had seen that look
IN her eyes before. Her gold beads.
which had once carried in my pocket,
we're clasped tight about the close col.
lar OF her dress; and was glad. very
glad, that had ever touched anything
that belonged to her.
Who was Olivia Gladys Armstrong
and what was Arthur chickering's bust.
ness with her? And what was 1t she
had said to me that evening when |
had found her playing on the chapel
organ? So much happened that day
that | had almost forgotten, and, in.
deed, | had tried to forget that | made
fool of myself for the edification of
an amusing little school girl. Then
you prefer to ignore the first time I
ever saw you" she had said: but if I
had thought of it at all it had been
with righteous self-contempt. Or, I
may have fattered my vanity with the
reflection that she had eyed me-her
hero, perhaps-with wistful admira.
ton across the wall.
Meanwhile the Chicago express
roared into Annandale and the private
car was attached. Taylor watched
the trainmen with the cool interest of
a man for whom the proceeding had
no novelty, while he continued to d.
late upon the nations commercial o.
portunitles. | turned perforce, and
walked with him back toward the sta.
ton, where Mrs Taylor and her sister
were talking to the conductor.
Pickering came running across the
platform with several kilograms in his
hand
I'm awfully sorry, Glenarm, that
our stops so short, "-and Pickering's
face wore a worried look as he ad.
dressed me, his eyes on the conductor
How far do you go?" asked.
California. We have large interests
out there and have to attend some
stockholders meetings in Colorado in
January"
"Ah, you business men! You bust.
ness men!" | said reproachfully. RI
wished to call him BLACKBOARD then
and there, and ii was on my tongue 10
do so, but concluded that to wait
until he had shown his hand fully
was the better game.
The ladies entered the car and |
shook hands with Taylor, who threat
ened to send me his pamphlet on The |
Needs of American Shipping when he
got back to New York.
It's too bad she wouldn't 90 with |
U.s. foor girl! this must be dreary |
hole for her." he said to Pickering,
who helped him upon the platform Of |
the car with what seemed to be IN
necessary precipitation.
You little know US" declared, for
chickering's benefit. Life in AMMAN
dale is nothing If not exciting. The
people here are Indifferent marksmen
or there'd be murders galore"
Mr.. Glenarm is a good deal Of
Wag' explained Pickering, hastily
swinging himself aboard as the train
started.
Yes; it's my humor that keeps me
alive responded. and taking Of my
nat | saluted Arthur Pickering with
my broadcast salaam.
CHAPTER XIV.