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

form, 1t occurred to me that while
might have some claim upon the al
tention of Olivia Gladys Armstrong. a
hayward school girl Of athletic tastes
had none whatever upon a person
whom 1t was proper TO address as
Miss Armstrong-who was. | felt sure
quite capable of snnbbing me il snub
bling fell in with her mood.
She glanced toward me and bowed
instantly, and her young companions
withdrew to a conservative distance
will say this for the students at st
Agatha's, Annandale: Their manners
are beyond criticism, and an affable
discretion is one of their most sdmira.
Bile traits.
Il didn't know they ever grew IN
so fast-in day aud a night"
| was glad remembered the mum.
Der Of beads in her chain; the item
seemed at once to become important
IT'S the air, | suppose. It's praised
by excellent critics." she laughed.
But you are going to an ampler
ether, a diviner air. You have at.
tanned the beatific state and at once
take flight If they confer perfection
like an academic degree at 81 Az.
atha's, then"
l had never felt so stupidity helpless
In my life. There were a thousand
things ! wished to say to her; there
were countless questions | wished to
ask; but her calmness and poise were
disconcerting. Her eyes met mine
easily; their azure depths puzzled me
She was almost. but not quite. some
one | had seen before, and It was not
my woodland Olivia. Her eyes, the
sole curve Of her cheek, the light in
her hair-but the memory Of another
time, another place, another girl, lured
only to battle me.
She laughed-a little murmurine
laugh.
TN never tell II you won't" she
said.
But ! don't see how that helps me
with your"
1T certainly does not! That is a
much more serious matter, Mr.. Glen.
arm"
And the worst of II is that I
haven't single thing to say for nv.
self. 1t wasn't the not knowing that
was so utterly dull"
Certainly not! II was talking that
ridiculous twaddle. It was trying to
flirt with a silly school girl. What
will do for Is is somewhat vacuous
for"
She paused abruptly, colored and
laughed.
81 am 27!"
And | am just the usual age she
SAID.
ages don't count, but time is i'm.
portant- There are many things /
wish you would tell me-you who hold
the key of the gate of mystery"
Then you'll have to pick the lock!"
She laughed lightly. The somber
Sisters patrolling The platform with
their charges needed US little.
Il had no idea you knew Arthur
Pickering-when you were Just Olivia
in the tam-o-shanter."
Maybe you think he wouldn't have
cared for my acquaintance-as Olivia
In the tam-o.shanter. Men are very
queer"
But Arthur Pickering is an old
friend Of mine"
so he told me-"
We we're neighbcrs In our youth"
81 believe | have heard him mention
t."
And we did our prep school TO-
gether, and then parted"
You tell exactly the same story 50
i must be true. He went to college
and you went to Tech"
"And you knew him." | hogan
my curiosity thoroughly aroused
Not at college any more than I
knew you at Tech"
The trains coming" said earn. |
estly, land wish You would tell me-
when shall see you again!"
Before we part for ever?" There
was a mischievous hint of the Olivia !
N short skirts in her tone.
Please don't suggest it! Our times
have been strange and few. There !
was that first night when you called
" Inc lTOm the lake.
How impertinent! How dare you |
that"
And there was the snow storm and
1t the chapel porch last night Meth
sr you nor | had the slightest business
here. But you spoke as though you
understood what you must have heard,
md you say you know Arthur Picker
ng. 1t is important for me to know
have a right to know just what you
meant by that warning"
Real distress showed in her face for
IN instant The agent and his helpers
'ushed the last baggage down the
platform as the rails hummed their
warming of the approaching train.