Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1909-08-12

n! Today!
Mrs. Doughty returned sharply: DO
you suppose we brought you all the
way up here to Chester county merely
to observe the beauties Of the land
scape?"
But T."
"Never mind, father" Rosina began,
III you think best"
1T isn't question OF what your
father thinks, Rosina. He has shown
me very clearly that he has thought
all he intends to think about the mat
ter. When he gave his consent to our
suggestion some days ago, he closed
the deal, so far as he is'concerned."
Not bit of 1t! No deal is closed
until"
your father has changed his mind
and wants to break the news gently.
"True, gave my consent; nor nave
] changed my mind. want Rosina TO
have a country place as my wedding
gift, and l want her to have what she
likes best I'm willing to spend an
even ten thousand, but, my DEAR we
must proceed with caution"
''As usual, Rosina, your father has
green lights on his mind"
1T isn't that, Fanny, but Rosina Will
not be married for another month yet,
and, moreover, she will not want to
use a country seat until next summer,
30 there is really no heed for haste In
the matter, so far as can see."
Then look a little further, Mr..
Doughty. This is october. Suppose
she could not find exactly what she
wants. Suppose the place she finally
decides upon would need a lot OF re-
pairs; suppose, indeed, that she mere
ly decided upon the ground and would
have to build an entire new house?
That takes time. It is not at all prob
able that Rosina will find place just
to suit her."
How eternally feminine!" And
Doughty looked of across the fields.
But this one does suit me, mother"
"Eh?" From Doughty, suddenly in
terested. What one, Rosina? Have
you and your mother been up here be-
fore?"
"A week ago, If you please" Mrs.
Doughty lifted her lorgnette to look at
q farmer seated upon a wagon-load OF
pOtato baskets. "Rosina has found the
very place she wants, and all there Is
to do now Is to find the price Of it and
settle the matter at once"
The chauffeur turned the car in at
the church and stopped 1t.
This the placer" Doughty queried,
somewhat amazed. But his wife went
on gathering her wraps together. Il
say, is this the place? II 1t is, I'd esti-
mate it at two cents an acre. Chances
are the church is mortgaged up to the
limit. l suppose you'd transform the
tomb-yard, back there. into one of
those fool gawf' links"
Let him alone, Rosina. Perhaps
he'll discover after a while that we
are a quarter mile from our destina-
ton"
well, what in thunderation did you
stop here for? l never knew before
that there was q religious side to real
estate"
There isn't" his wife assured him,
"but we have to go along that rocky
lane there to the house. It's just over
the knoll"
The two passed on beyond his hear
ing.
They were silent as they picked
their way up the stony lane, fraught
with dangers for wearers Of high.
heeled shoes.
At last Mrs. Doughty paused, out Of
breath. There doesn't seem to be
anyone at home. The house is all shut
up"
''They probably live in the Kitchen"
said Rosina. "They tell me that coun-
try folks generally do"
So they went around to the rear of
the house, frightening some chickens
that were bent upon the destruction
of a chrysanthemum bed.
There's an old man chipping wood
Rosina."
"YOu speak to him, ma"
mo. you do 1t. It Is to be your
house. you know. But do hope you'll
have that lane paved II you expect me
to visit you very often. 1t would prove
rather troublesome to Clarence, too, II
he should stay out late some night
with the boys"
By now ROsina had approached the
erizzIed old wood-chopper from be-
hind. and began:
II beg your pardon. sir, but how
many acres have you here?"
The woodchopper went on with his
work utterly oblivious OF ROsina'S
presence. She raised her voice: Il
say"
A dirtyfacsd little boy appeared