Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-10-18
CHAPTER XII.
Becoming Acquainted.


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 wom-
an glanced about and exclaimed,
.laughingly, why, l 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,
q slender, graceful figure dressed in
white, and extended her hand shyly.
Miss Spencer clasped it warmly, her
eyes upon the flushed, winsome face.
4. And is this Nadia Gillis!" she
cried. u am so delighted that you
are still here, and that we are to be
together. Aunt Lydia has written so
much about you that 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. 81
guess l know; you've got magnificent
hair, and your eyes are perfectly won
derful 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 frights by this
time"
They came down perhaps an hour
later, hand in hand, and chattering
like old friends. The shades of early
evening we're 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
3 interest far from being assumed.
81 have found it all so strange, so
unique, Mr. Wynkoop" she explained.
"The country is like a new world to
me, and the people do not seem at all
like those of the east. They lead such
j q wild, untrammeled life. Everything
about seems to exhale the spirit of 70
nance; don't you find it so?"
He smiled at her enthusiasm, his
glance of undisguised admiration on
her face. 81 certainly recall some such
earlier conception" he admitted
Those just arriving from the environ
ment of an older civilization perceive
merely the picturesque elements; bu
my later experiences have been de
nidadly nrocoiop
why, Mr.. Wynkoop! how coult
they be? Your work is heroic. 1t i!
perfectly grand Why, the very mel
met seem to yield me broader con
ception of life and duty; they are 81
brave, so modest, so active. Isis
Mr.. Motfat member of your church?
The minister cleared his throat, hi
cheeks reddening "Mr. Moffat? All
10; not exactly. Do you mean thu
"a mine-owner, Jack Moffat?"
"Yes. think so; he told me h
owned a mine-the Golden Rule tn,
name was; the very choice in word
would seem to indicate his religion
nature, You have the only church il
iGlencaid. understand, and wonde
greatly he has never joined you. Blu
perhaps he may be prejudiced agains
your denomination. There is so mucl
lnarrowness in religion. But | lef
9 every prejudice east of the Missouri,
she declared, laughingly, every one
social and religious. I'm going to b.
. true westerner, from the top of m,
head to the toe of my shoe. Is MI
Mcneil in your church,"
The minister hesitated. II really d,
not recall the name" he confessed a
last, reluctantly. 81 scarcely think
= can have ever met the gentleman"
oh, you ought to; he is so intense
" original and his face is full Of char
acter He reminds me of some oil
.paladin Of the Middle Ages. You woul
be interested in him at once. He i
the foreman of the Bar " ranch
somewhere near here"
do you mean Billy Mcneil, over o.
Sinsniwa creek?" broke in Herndon.
II think quite likely, uncle; wouldn'
he make a splendid addition to Nj
0 Wynkoop's church,"
Herndon choked, his entire bod
shaking with Unsurpassed enjoy
ment Il should imagine yes" he az
mitted finally. BILLY McNeil-of
Lord! There's certainly a fine oper
ing for you to do some missionar
. work, Phoebe"
We'll, and I'm going to-" announce
the young lady, firmly. Il guess lea
read mems characters, and l know a
Mr.. Mcneil needs is to have som
one show an interest in him. Hay
you large church, Mr.. Wynkoop%