Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-01-08
CHAPTER Xl.
Becoming Acquainted

Once within the cool shadows of the
living-room, Mrs. Herndon again be-
thought herself to kiss her niece in
fresh glow of welcome, while the lat
ter sank into 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, 1 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,
a slender, graceful figure dressed in
white, and extended her hand shyly.
Miss Spencer clasped it warmly, her
eyes upon the flushed, winso.ne face.
And is this Nadia Gillis!" she
cried. 'I 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. We'll, you
are" she announced, decisively. 81
guess 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 rights by this
| time"
They came down perhaps an hour
later, hand in hand, and chattering
like old friends. The shades of early
! evening were 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 usual!
vivacious in recounting the incident.
of her long journey, together with he
early impressions of the western coun
try. Mr.. Wynkoop responded with al
interest far from being assumed.
IT have found it all so strange, 81
unique, Mr.. Wynkoop," she explained
"The country is like new world t.
| me, and the people do not seem at al
like those of the east. They lead sucl
a wild, untramme1ed life. Everythin.
about seems to exhale the spirit of re
nance: don't you find it 500"
He smiled at her enthusiasm, hi
glance of undisguised admiration OF
her face. 81 certainly recall some sucl
earlier conception" he admitted
Those just arriving from the environ
ment of an older civilization perceiv
merely the picturesque elements; bu
my later experiences have been de
cidedly prosaic."
why, Mr.. Wynkoop! how coul
they be? Your work is heroic. 1t i
perfectly grand! Why, the very me-
met seem to yield me broader cor
ception of life and duty; they are s
brave, so modest, SO active. Isl
Mr.. Moffat a member of your church ?
The minister cleared his throat, hi
cheeks reddening. Mr.. Moffat? Al
no; not exactly. Do you mean tn
!, mine-owner, Jack Moffat?"
Yes, l think so; he told me b
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
Glencaid, l understand, and / wonde
/ greatly he has never joined you. Bu
, perhaps he may be prejudiced agains
| your denomination. There is so muc
I narrowness in religion. But l lei
, every prejudice east of the Missouri
: she declared, laughingly. every on
social and religious. I'm going to b
, true westerner, from the top of m
head to the toe of my shoe. Is NJ
Mcneil in your church,"
) The minister hesitated. Il really d
) not recall the NAME" he confessed {
last, reluctantly. 81 scarcely think
can have ever met the gentleman"
t CTo BE CoNTINUED)
4