Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-07-10

way. You hung on so we would have
both drowned in four feet of water if
l hadn't. You could have stood on
your feet there if you had tried. 1t
was very stupid of you not to. But it
is awful to think that 1 should have
struck you. You-you of all per-
soDs!"
Me, of all persons" cried the girl
Of the double negative. Why do you
say such thing as that? 1 don't
know you from Adam
Because, because" said Hepburn
wildly. 81 love you, love you.
have loved you ever since l saw your
picture last night, but it seems to me
now as if l had always loved you"
The girl arose from the grass with
an expression of profound disgust
upon her features. We'll, of all in
comprehensive things" she ex-
claimed. You are certainly the most
impudent man l ever saw How dare
you say such a thing to me? What do
you mean?"
Il mean" said Hepburn desperate
ly, that l don't care what things you
say to me now, if only some time you
will marry me-"
spoke never word, but with tight
shut lips gathered her skirts in both
hands and began to walk rapidly
! away.
For over a week he saw nothing of
Miss Darlington. That young lady re-
NAMED in her room nursing nose,
formerly of classic proportions, and
an eye which resembled boiled
! gooseberry, sunk deep in the brilliant
and varied hues Of summer sunset.
Her indisposition did not. however,
prevent her from inspecting that hor-
rid man" from behind her curtains,
and secretly commenting upon the
facts that he was certainly very good
looking, and that he took sly peeps at
| her window as he passed
If she had expected repetition of
Mr.. Hepburns former frenzied con-
duct when she again appeared in the
corridors of the hotel she was disap.
pointed. At first he seemed not to
even see her. Then after they were
introduced by 4 mutual friend, he
treated her with the grave courtesy
which happy instinct told him would
be most pleasins to young lady with
high regard for the conventionali
ties of polite society.
1t was only towards the close of the
season, and wien preparations were
Deing made b. her family to return To
the city that, riqued by his indiffer-
ence, she began to unbend a little
They met often, then oftener, then
walked together. They discovered
that they had many points of interest
in common, although photography was
not one of them.
One warm September evening they
walked upon the almost deserted pi-
aZza of the hotel in the moonlight, and
it seemed to Hepburn that the hour
was ripe at last. Ardently, but this
time with dignity and decorum, he
told her again of his love. Memories
of that other proposal must, however,
have returned to the lady's mind, for
she drew herself up haughtily and
said:
Il am surprised and sorry. Mr. Hep.
derstood my sentiments toward you.
L esteem and respect you, but l do
not love you l cannot marry you, but
| will be sist-' Miss Darlington
paused and blushed. 1t was the regu-
lation formula which she had rendered
to more than one callow youth, but it
was too obvious chestnut to offer to
man Of Mr.. Hepburn's character
and experience. To her utter amaze
ment. he seemed to entertain no sen.
sation of chagrin or disappointment.
Instead, he drew her only half-resist-
ing form into his arms, and for the
second time in their short acquaint-
ance pressed kiss upon her brow.
Again she minated angrily, as she
had once before done: You are GER
tainly the most presumptuous man I
ever heard of. Don't you understand
me? | said no."
Hepburn's face beamed with Joy
and satisfaction. MY sweetest girl"
he said. gayly, repeating the oscula-
ton, Il hear you. But don't you re-
member that you learned long ago
when you were in school that double
negative is always equal to an affirm
alive? This is the second time you've
turned me down. What other con-
clusion can l draw"
That evening, when the happy man
was again alone in his room. he found
in close proximity to the fateful piece
of glass a letter placed there by the
bell-boy. and bearing a special deliv-
cry stamp. 1t read as follows:
Dear Hepburn-Did you take away
with the rest of the stuff you bought
OF me last summer an opened box OF
AXIS dry plates? If so, for heavens
sake. return them at once. hope
you haven't, monkeyed with and
spoiled them. They were left here
by a young fellow-Billy Darlington
to be developed. and he is rending the
earth because they can't be found.
Mira If vOu have thao, w..