Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-03-20
CHAPTER u.
Needles and Pins.

"AiO oObIliu6 uCEocll COullOItdUlg III
chair before the open fire, you have
been pleased to find fault with me
about many things which | have borne
with what patience might"
"Patience!" laughed Darlington IN
pleasantly.
Ellen's eyes flashed.
you repetition Of the word at this
juncture serves to emphasize the quail
ity in me, think you not so?" she re-
torted
pray proceed, madam" answered
her husband, lodging the question
which indeed was unanswerable from
the woman's point Of view.
II shall do so. This morning you
actually laughed at me-"
Fore God, madam, what would
you have had me do? Weep? l con-
fess felt more like 1t and if laughed,
1t was but to turn of an awkward sit
uation."
"And you call 4 an awkward atua.
ton that l was thrown from my
horse, do you, and pumped into the
brook, and covered with mud, and
nearly killed? What made you give
me such horse anyway"
IT protest. It's the gentlest beast
In the stables, and the tamest, I do
believe, in all England" returned
Darlington bitterly. "a girl of ten
could have ridden it."
Eyes, l suppose 3d." answered his
with with equal 'acerbity, IF the girl
Of ten had been taught to ride all her
life. l told you that l couldn't.
hate the animals. Yet you needs must
mount me to have me thrown of to
make a spectacle to all your fine
friends"
IF you remember" said Darlington,
Il advised you to stay at home and
you insisted upon going"
What! And have them say that /
was afraid to ride to hounds"
| Darlington in the face of this i'm
passe could only shrug his shoulders.
You're just about as helpful now
as you were then. Why didn't you
come to my assistance?"
you lacked no help, madam. l OBJ
served that two Of the gentlemen at
least were by your side"
You refer to Lord Strathgate and
Sir Charles?"
"A good guess, madam, though an
easy one, for they are ever by your
SIDE"
And all you could do was to laugh
to join that painted, powdered co
quette, your cousin, and that Other
bedizined fromp by her side, in jeer
ing at your wife. If / had them OF
the deck Of ship or tops'l.yardarm
or at wheel, I'd show them"
mo doubt" returned Darlington
sarcastically, land perhaps II you pu
on boxing gloves with them, or trieC
them out with the broad sword. they
would be equally at a disadvantage
but one doesn't look for these things
in women to-day"
There was a time" interrupted Ell
len swiftly, her lips trembling, anC
indeed despite these things she wa
quite woman enough then, but Car
rington was so blinded with passion
as to be unable to Sc 1t.
Il have had enough Of reminis
cence," he began CURLY.
WAS It in "reminiscences" criet
Ellen shrilly, that you had your arm
around Lady Ckily in the arbor thi,
afternoon?"
Did you spy upon me, madam
Spy" exclaimed the woman
Lord Strathgate and /"
Damn him!" burst out Carringtop
What was he doing with you in tn,
arbor?"
He is my friend" returned Ellen
"he and Sir Charles"
Il would not have thought It O
Charles" cried Darlington angrily.
1T was they who came to nv re.
cue. It was not they who laughe
when fell"
Il tell you / never felt less Tx
laughing in my life to see you mad
q fool Of and those popinjays rushin
to your assistance"
II have been made fool Of" sal
Ellen steadily. 81 am Just beginnin
to realize It was well enough whe
you were alone with me and 70
were well enough then, but whe
others came"
BY heavens, madam, are you COZ
, trasting me with that dandy and rogu
Strathgate?"
Z He has never spoken to me oths
n than In terms Of the utmost respe,
!. and consideration in my life" a
v swered Ellen brayely. and +"
3 He had better not" burst out N
lord grimly.
"And would to God that coul
b say the same Of my husband" 81
i continued disdaining his threat.
s. IF you treated me with any defe
e ence and paid more heed to my wish,
a these difficulties would not arise
Il said Darlington. IF you would
r. guided by me-" f
J. "And what, pray, would you ha,
e me do!"
D. Dance, game. act as the rest d