Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-07-05

eoht ohC "cut W. that Il uOu huOW
where to begin, except that you must
tell me the very earliest minute that
we can start for home"
ANY minute you WISH" ! replied,
laughing. The place is ready and
waiting for its mistress"
why. how did you ever manage to
do 1t all so soon?" she exclaimed in
unfeigned delight. Then, turning TO
Mrs. Randolph, she continued: MT.
Ware is one Of the most wonderful men
in the world! He must be descended
from the genii Of old, for can hardly
express a wish to him before is full.
filed. How did you do II, Mr.. Ware!"
1T wasn't very difficult task, Miss
Carney" ! replied, with becoming mod
esty. You see, being on the spot 40
was, ] could direct the work to 90
much better advantage, and"
why! were you there yourselir
she exclaimed In amazement; and
then, turning her face away, q faint
lush, scarcely visible at first, crept
slowly. up from her cheeks until II
was lost under the little ringleu Of
soft brown hair that nestled about her
ears and forehead.
Ny heart seemed to rise In my
throat for an instant, and then began
to beat 80 violently that its throbbings
became somewhat audible as said,
somewhat sheepishly:
yes, was there all the time.
went expecting to stay only a day or
80, but there were 30 many things 10
be attended to that ! stayed on and
let the time 60 to my vacation"
1T couldn't have been much Of a
vacation she exclaimed, regaining
her composure in an instant, and
don't intend that you shall be treated
so shabbily. Mrs. Randolph, won't
you please ask Mr.. Ware to visit US al
Carney-Croft for q fortnight after we
get settled? lfhe makes any excuses
/ will order him to come In his profes-
sional capacity. You see, you can't
escape US II you would" she laughed,
and the matter was settled.
When we reached the hotel Miss
Carney insisted on my remaining to
luncheon, explaining that she wished
to talk over some business matters
with me in the afternoon.
1t was a merry quartette that as
sembled around the table in the din.
ingroom Of Miss Carneys apartments
and my memory naturally carried me
back TO my first luncheon with her
over three years before. The anxious
fearful expression Of the past had
given way to a countenalce beamlng
with vivacity, health and peace with
all the world, and her soft, rudy com
plexion, heightened by the voyaA
across the Atlantic, enhanced, II such
a thing we're possible, the glorious
beauty Of her face.
We chartered In a delightfully."- I'm
conventional way until Luncheon was
over and then Mrs Ran lolph tactfully
left US to ourselves to discuss business
matters in the sitting-room, while Miss
Weston, who was the very antithesis oil
Miss Carney by reason Of her III
health and frail constitution, retired
for her usual afternoon nap.
The moment we were alone Miss
Carneys levity and frivolity left her
and, mOtioning me to seat by bel
side, she plunged at once into the con
sideration of mass of details con
corning Carney-Croft and its affairs
Suddenly she surprised me by asking
pointedly:
Why did you remain at Carney
Croft longer than you had first in
tended? Was it solely to superintend
the opening Of the house or was it fol
some other reason?"
This question, put to me so ingen
uously could be answered only with
the utmost frankness, and said earn
estly: There was another reason
Miss Carney, and an important one
Then told her the whole story. as
far as its practical features were con
cerned, but avoided, as much as pos
sible, the recital Of any unnecessary
details.
so you think this will all be stop
ped, now that you know who the ring
leaders are?" she asked, anxiously.
Il am sure that 1t will" replied
more positively than my true feelings
warranted. There has been no more
of it since we learned who wrote the
notes and 1t looks as II jerks and thi:
Bruce woman were going to keep the
affair entirely to themselves. Besides
the new house the widow has is much
better than the old one, and she ha.
considerably more land than before
She ought to be perfectly satisfied
with her present situation and stoI
her performances II onlv for bar nv,