Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-11-15

ner AaAd from MS grasp an5 darted
ike a wild thing down the stairs.
Ralph's first impulse was to hurry
after, but he knew he could not over.
take her until she reached the rotun.
"a. Alice would be there; he would
wait little. He was trembling; every
nerve was tingling. He knew what II
meant. He loved this girl, and she
loved him.
When he reached the rotunda he
found Alice alone. They searched
everywhere, but could find no trace
OF her, and then hurried home.
HAS Miss Glenwood Gomez" Alice
asked the girl who answered their
ring.
Yes, miss; she's come and gone"
"Gone!" cried Alice, dumfounded.
Gone where?"
Il dunno, miss; she had a hack and
TUX her trunk"
Took her trunk" Alice staggered
back against the wall. That will do
Susan" she said to the girl, who stood
staring, open-mouthed.
She glanced at Ralph. He was very
pale.
Ralph Mason!" she cried. by all
that's good, what have you done?
There! Don't look at me like that Go
in and sit down, and ! will see il | can
md out anything upstairs"
On her table Alice found a blotted
tear-stained note. Dear Alice" II
read. Ralph has fallen in love with
me, and he does not know. He will
never forgive me! | can never tell
MIN! cannot see him. have gone
to Chicago. Tell him, Alice. Oh, | am
the most miserable, miserable. mis-.
cradle Of girls!"
Then, after all, Ralph did not know.
he might forgive it from Glen; never
from her, She looked at her watch:
Just five o'clock.
Ralph she called, flying down the
stairs. "She has started for Chicalo
Get hack-bring her back-if not
90 with her"
Ralph got into Chicago in the even.
Ing. He was tired, so went directly 10
a hotel, and to bed. The next morn.
ing he enjoyed a good breakfast
smoked cigar and visited a barber
shop, before starting in search of the
seminary
Tell Miss Mason a gentleman
wishes to see her. he said to the girl
who stood waiting.
Some one in the parlor wants TO
see you" called the girl a moment
later, as she knocked at Glen's door
Now, to Glen, Ralph's passionate
words had been utterly unexpected
She had wanted him to feel a little
sold when he found what a Joke had
been played upon him, but that things
should take such a serious turn had
never entered her mind. Her first
impulse had been to get away. She
knew what time the limited left for
Chicago, so she had called hack and
was driven to her uncle's. There she
hurriedly packed her trunk, scrubbed
a few lines to Alice, drove to the depot
and took the train for Chicago.
She had repented her hasty course
before she was out of the city. and
when the girl called at her door she
was sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
trying to write to Ralph.
She obeyed the summons languidly.
Some one to see about lessons" she
thought. as she went downstairs.
Ralph was sitting opposite the par.
Tor door. When he saw her he sprang
to his feet, his dark eyes lighted with \
surprise and delight.
Miss Glenwood!" he explained joy.
ously, but before he could say more
Glen burst into tears and threw her.
self upon his breast.
"Oh, Ralph" she sobbed, 81 am
your sister Glen!"
1t was shock, to be sure But
Ralph was sensible fellow, and when
she told him how 1t all came about
crying as II her heart would break he
dried her eyes and forgave her on the
spot The next day they received a /,
letter from Alice. It was a queer epis-
tie. partly defiant. partly repentant.
Il am in hopeless disgrace here NJ
home, she wrote in closing, and I
know you can never forgive me. The
only reparation | can make Won
Ralph. Is to wish that Glen may b the
only girl who will tell you she win
always be q sister to you"
Afier all. Ralph was better than
Alice thought He and Glen retunsd
To Washington and finished their vis,t
there. But the events recorded her,
we're never alluded to By the youn,
people. and Alice and Glen were never
kasva again - st,snDt Q practical |
jota