Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-03-18

of billowy white muslin, the cloud-like
folds sweeping the floor about her. A
mass of filmy lace was draped about
her shoulders, drifting in graceful cas-
cades far down upon her skirt. Her
features were small and aristocratic,
and the pale gold hair, piled loosely
high upon her well-poised head, gave
her look that was instantly patrician.
Dorcas greeted her eagerly, delight
ed to find her thus far on the road to
recovery.
why, Miss Letitia," she cried, "how
charming you look" She, herself, was
more than lovely in her gown of pale
blue dimity with its crisp bows of rib
bon. I'm on my way out to take a
peep at the house. 1 have the pony
cart, it's perfect day, and 1 do so
want you to go with me and help me
decide"
The other laughed and rose with a
little gesture of pleasure. She pinned
on her hat and droppeN the veil over
her face. Then she threw lace boa
over her shoulders and pulled on her
gloves. Afterwards, they went out to
the cart and drove away at brisk
trot. Ten minutes later, they had left
the last struggling village house be-
hind and turned into the turnpike road,
| talking merrily as they whirled along.
Presently Dorcas drew rein in
front of little white cottage, nesting
behind group of trees like pearl in
circle of emeralds. The sunlight
trio 1n1 f6n ~,
en- splotches and the sky overhead COW
cred it like a turquoise cup.
With little gasp of delight, Dorcas
jumped out and tied the pony to a
post.
But for some abrupt reason, Miss
Letitia remained where she was, ST.
lent and bit pale.
The young girl looked up at her in
establishment. why, why, Miss Lett
tia," she said contritely, Il am afraid
it's been too great a tax on you. L"
But the other had recollected her
self swiftly and forced a smile to COW
er her agitation.
Its nothing" she said, I'm just a
trif1e shaky because it is my first out
ing after being confined so long" She
rose and stepped down on the ground,
and they entered the little iron gate
that opened into a wilderness of bios
som. Dorcas hurried eXcitedly up the
gravel path, ran up the steps and fitted
brass key to the front door.
Miss Letitia sat down on the steps
to get her breath, smiling in spite of
| herself at each rapturous outburst
that came from within as Dorcas dis
covered some fresh revelation of
| beauty
Suddenly the gate changed sharply
and stranger came quickly up the
rose-bordered path He was attired
in brown corduroys and riding-boots,
and carried his broad-brimmed felt hat
in his hand.
| Il beg your pardon" he began in a
rich, musical voice, but 1 was told
that l should meet a possible tenant
here at this hour
Miss Letitia started, twisting the lit
tie lace handkerchief she carried, be-
tween her fingers. Her lips were
pressed together and two vivid spots
of color sprang to her cheeks. When
she could still the tumultuous beating
of her heart, she lifted her hand and
drew up her veil, while the man looked
on in petrified amazement His eyes
slowly widened and the color, surging
into his face, showed clear and strong
beneath the heavy mask of tan.
"You!" he said at last.
Eyes, Robert"
"And so you are going to be mar
ried after all, and come here to live"
His tone tried hard to be common.
place, but the bitterness leaked
through, and he suddenly looked older
than his 40 years.
: The waves of red were coming and
l going in Miss Letitia's delicate cheeks
l in little soft rushes There was a quick
e in-catch of her breath, as she said
. 'Oh, no, not 1; it is Dorcas Trimble
: and young Hardin"
With a paean of thanksgiving in hi!
y heart, Robert Grantley took a swift
/ step in her direction, in his eyes tn,
L look that Is years had not dimmed
"Letitia!" he cried. And
"Bob!" she answered.
n A ripping laugh broke in upon thei
q supreme moment, followed immediate
" ly by the exuberant young author O
it. Dear me, Miss Letitia, I've bee
a waiting-ah!" She stopped short, he
r. clear gray eyes searching the tw
faces before her.
81 am the owner of this place, Mis-
q. Trimble," apologized Grantley, IAN
W I am sorry to have Inconvenience
10 you, but have about decided ter
h occupy it myself in the near future
His gaze rested in luminous question
q. ing upon Miss Letitia's howerin
nt cheeks.
a Dorcas merely said: "Oh!" And tn
te language Of love being as kinderga
ten to that young veteran of heart lor