Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-03-18
The House That Bob Built
By NELLIE CRAVEY GILMORE
Copyright, 1908, by Daily Story Pub. Coz

peered through the open window into
the sweet, summer dusk. A little
sharp rap on the panel of the door
caused her to lie down quickly with
low-murmured: Come"
Dorcas Trimble entered, bearing
small silver tray on which was placed
the newest delicacy, shrouded in
snowy doilies.
II didn't wake your" she questioned,
with half-apologetic note in her fresh
young voice.
mo, oh, no. Turn up the lamp
higher. I've been awake some time.
But after dinner 1 slept an hour or
more-and had the widest dream!"
Dorcas placed the tray on a table
beside the invalid, and turned up the
light. Then she sat down in a chair
close to the bed and took one of Miss
Letida's slim, lily-like hands between
her little brown ones. Tell me about
the dream" she said.
For a second, the blood covered the
others pale face like a crimson man
tie. She spoke musingly and with
vaguely-tremulous lips.
When l was young like yourself,
dear, l had lover. All young girls
have lovers, do they not, Dorcas?"
She smiled. Now, now, don't blush
any more, child; I'm not after probing
your secret-but I'm going to tell you
mine"
For answer, the young girl squeezed
the hand she held, warmly, while di-
vine flush slipped up to the rims of
her little pink ears
When 1 was nineteen" Miss Letitia
went on dreamily, 'he came into my
life, changing everything loved him
and he loved me-that is the biggest
thing l can say. We were to be mar
ried in June. The house was all in
readiness-the house he'd been scrimp-
ing and pinching to get built, for years.
The wedding gown had come home
from Worths and the invitations were
waiting to be mailed-when GRANDPA
Tiers letter came, like a bolt from
the blue: Letitia must never marry
Robert Grantley-if she values his
life. For he is the grandson of Ger
aldine HASKELL When mothers father
was a young man, Geraldine Haskell
broke his heart; he cursed her and
everything connected with her-every-
body. He was a dangerous man, and
much to be feared. l, as everyone
else, knew, that he made no idle
threats. And SOL gave up my lover
to save his life. l have not seen him
from that day to this, Is years"
Unconsciously, the young girls fin
gers frightened on the ones she held
oh" she said, "Oh!" Then after a
aittle, she asked:
And if you had it all to go over
again, Miss Letitia?"
II hardly know, child. Love is a
strange master. Robert was very an
cry, and MORALLY hurt. But 1 re-
manned firm. When he found that
was not to be moved, he let me alone
forever" Her voice dropped to a
little culver and she turned away her
head, wetting the pillow with a rush
of hot tears.
Under some sudden impulse, Dorcas
bent swiftly and kissed her on the
cheek. And you were dreaming of
him?" she queried softly
"Of Bob, yes. The years rolled
back; it was just as If there had been
no sorrow, no separation"
A moment of silence ensued, during
which each seemed waiting for the
other to speak. At last the girl said
Shall 1 tell you my secret, Miss
Letitia?"
Yes, indeed" The older woman
looked up joyously, banishing the
shadows from her face Her eye:
were very bright from their recen
tears.
After an eloquent little pause, Dor
cas- began:
There is someone whom love an,
who loves me, very dearly. Like your
self. that is the biggest thing 1 cal
say. His name is"-she bent an
whispered it-"all my people ar
against him because his are Yankees
Papa fought side by side with JACK
son, you know. But If all his peopl
were Hottentots, it wouldn't make an
difference to me now. l should sin
ply snap my fingers at the whole un
verse and marry him"
Miss Letitia laughed softly as sh
pressed the damp little hands in he
clasp. We'll, he's lucky young cha
TO get a girl like you, and I've Il
doubt you'll be the happiest pair
pigeons in all Hilburn county"
I'm all the world" cried Dorca
with very pink cheeks and blackt
.eyes than she'd ever had before.
And the wedding?"
Next month-at ST. Katherine
We're going to Washington and Ne
York city and Niagara; then back
Hilburn for life, 1 suppose. But SUI
life"
Miss Letitia did not say anythin
but lay watching the girls radia
face with thoughtful eyes, while
wistful shadow stole over her delica
face. Finally she said: