Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1907-12-14
CHAPTER XII.
Becoming Acquainted.

Becoming Acquainted.
Once within the cool shadows of the
Hving-room, Mrs. Herndon again be-
thought herself to kiss her niece in a
fresh glow of welcome, while the lat
ter sank into a convenient rocker and
began enthusiastically expressing her
unbounded enjoyment of the west, and
of the impressions gathered during
her journey. Suddenly the elder WON
an glanced about and exclaimed.
laughingly, why, 1 had completely
forgotten. You have not yet met your
roommate. Come out here, Nadia;
this is my niece. Phoebe Spencer"
The girl thus addressed advanced.
a slender, graceful figure dressed in
white, and extended her hand shy1y.
Miss Spencer clasped it warmly, her
eyes upon the flushed, winsome face.
And is this Nadia Gi1lis!" she
cried. 81 am so delighted that you
are still here, and that we are to be
together. Aunt Lydia has written SO
much about you that 1 feel as if we
must have known each other for
years. Why, how pretty you are."
Naida's cheeks were burning, and
her eyes fell, but she had never yet
succeeded in conquering the blunt in
dependence of her speech. Nobody
else ever says so,'' she said, uneasily.
Perhaps it's the light
Miss Spencer turned her about SO
as to face the window. well, you
are" she announced, decisively. "I
guess 1 know; you've got magnificent
hair, and your eyes are perfectly won
derfu1. You just don't fix yourself up
right; Aunt Lydia never did have any
taste in such things, but I'll make a
new girl out of you. Let's go upstairs;
I'm simply dying to see our room, and
get some of my dresses unpacked.
They must look perfect rights by this
time"
They came down perhaps an hour
later, hand in hand, and chattering
like old friends. The shades of early
evening were already falling across
the valley. Herndon had returned
home from his days work, and had
brought with him Rev. Howard Wyn-
koop for supper. Miss Spencer viewed
the young man with approval, and i'm
mediately became more than usually
vivacious in recounting the incidents
of her long journey, together with her
early impressions of the western coun-
try. Mr.. Wynkoop responded with an
interest far from being assumed.
81 have found it all SO strange, so
unique, Mr.. Wynkoop," she explained.
THE country is like new world to
me, and the people do not seem at all
like those of the east. They lead such
a wild, untrammeled life. Everything
about seems to exhale the spirit of ro-
nance: don't you find it 500"
He smiled at her enthusiasm, his
glance of undisguised admiration on
| sxIx y,
earlier conception" he admitted.
Those just arriving from the environ
ment of an older civilization perceive
merely the picturesque elements; but
my later experiences have been de-
cidedly prosaic."
why, Mr.. Wynkoopi how could
they be? Your work is heroic. 1t is
perfectly grand! Why, the very men
met seem to yield me a broader con-
ception of life and duty; they are SO
brave, so modest, SO active. Isis
Mr. Moffat a member of your church ?"
The minister cleared his throat, his
cheeks reddening- Mr.. Moffat? All.
no; not exactly. Do you mean the
mine-owner, Jack Moffat?"
Yes, / think so; he told me he
owned a mine-the Golden Rule the
name was; the very choice in words
would seem to indicate his religious
nature. You have the only church in
Glencaid, I understand, and 1 wonder
greatly he has never joined you But
perhaps he may be prejudiced against
your denomination There is SO much
narrowness in religion But l left
every prejudice east of the Missouri,
she declared, laughingly, every one.
social and religious. I'm going to be
a true westerner, from the top of my
head to the toe of my shoe Is Mr.
Mcneil in your church? ?"
The minister hesitated- >s'1 really do
not recall the name" he confessed at
last, reluctantly. Il scarcely think /
can have ever met the gentleman.
cTO BE CONTINUED)
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