Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1910-12-24

able. or wholly warm and impulsive,
I. long as had known and loved her,
never was quite sure. Something
held me away. something called me
forward; so that 1 was always baf-
fed. and yet always eager, God wot-
1 suppose this is the way of women
At times l have been impatient with
it. knowing my own mind well enough.
At least now, in my tight-strapped
trousers and my long blue coat and
my deep embroidered waistcoat and
my high stock, my shining boots and
my tall beaver, l made my way on my
well-groomed horse up to the gates
of old Elmhurst; and as 1 rode l pom
dered and 1 dreamed.
But Miss Elizabeth was not at home,
it seemed Her father, Mr. Daniel
Churchill. rather portly, and now just
a trif1e red of face, met me instead. 1t
was not an encounter for which 1 de-
voutly wished, but one which l knew
it was the right of both of us to exc
pect ere long. Seeing the occasion
propitious plunged at once in medals
res. Part of the time explanatory.
again apologize, and yet again. l
trust. assertive, although always blum
dering and red and awkward, 1 told
wishes, my prospects and my plans.
He listened to me gravely and, it
seemed to me, with none of that en-
coined. AS to my family, he knew
enough. AS to my prospects. he ques-
toned me. My record was not I'M
familiar to him. So, gaining conf
dence at last under the insistence of
what l knew were worthy motives.
and which certainly were irresistible
of themselves, so far as l was con-
cerned, / asked him if we might not
soon make an end of this, and, taking
chances as they were, allow my wed
ding with Elizabeth to take place at
no very distant date.
why as to that, of course l do-not
know what my girl will say" went on
Mr.. Daniel Churchill, pursuing up his
lips.
"Oh, of course-that," 1 answered;
Miss Elizabeth and l."
THE skeesicks," he exclaimed. 81
thought she told me everything"
Il think Miss Elizabeth tells no one
quite everything" ventured. 81 con
fess she has kept me almost as much
in the dark as yourself, sir. But ]
only wanted to ask if, after l have
seen AeT lO-Qdy, anu IL SHOulu Sdib
her consent to an early day, you would
not waive any objections on your own
part and allow the matter to go for
ward as soon as possible?"
In answer to this he arose from his
chair and stood looking out of the
window. his back turned to me. 1 could
not call his reception of my sugges-
ton enthusiastic; but at last he
turned
Il presume that our two families
might send you young people a sack
of meal or a side of bacon now and
then, as far as that is concerned he
said
l could not call this speech joyous.
There are said to be risks in any
union, SIR l ventured to say. 81 ad-
NIT do not follow you in contemplate
ing any risk whatever. If either you
or your daughter doubts my loyalty
or affection, then 1 should say certain
ly it were wise to end all this; but"
and / fancied / Strengthened percepti
bly, think that might perhaps be
left to Miss Elizabeth herself"
After all, Mr.. Dan Churchill was
obliged to yield, as fathers have been
obliged from the beginning of the
world. At last he told me I might
take NY ldlG III lny own anu
go my way.
Trust the instinct of lovers to bring
them together! / was quite confident
that at that hour l should find Eliza
beth and her aunt in the big east
room at the presidents reception, the
former looking on with her unes,apTu
missing eyes at the little pagean< W hich
on reception days regularly wel4t for
ward there.
My conclusion was correct / fouHc
a boy to hold my horse in front oil
Gautier's cafe Then l fastened of
across the intervening blocks and
through the grounds of the White
House, in which presently, having
edged through the throng in the ante
chambers, / found myself in that inane
procession of individuals who passed
by in order, each to receive the limp
handshake the mechanical bow and
the perfunctory smile of President
Tyler-rather tall, slender1imbed
active man and of very decent pres
ence, although his thin. shrunken
cheeks and his cold blue-gray eye
left little quality of magnetism in his
personality.