Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1911-10-13
CHAPTER l..
Dan Blair.

Inc TACT tnat much ne said, because
Of his uncomfortable slang, was in
comprehensive did not take from the
charm Of his conversation as far az
the duchess Of Breakwater was con.
cerned. The brightness Of his express
sion. his quick, clear look upon them.
his beautiful young smile, his not too
frequent laugh, his new gayness," az
the duchess called his spirits, his su'
pernal youth, his difference, credited
him with what nine.tenths Of the hui
man race lack-charm.
His tone was not too crudely west.
ern; neither did he suggest the ultra
east, with which they were familiar.
American women went down well
enough with them, but American men
were unpopular, and when the visitor
arrived, Lady Galorey did not even an
nounce him to the party gathered for
the first shoot"
The others were in the armory when
the ninth gun, young chap, six feet
Of him, blond as the wheat, Clearly set
up and very good to look at, came In
with Lily, Duchess Of Breakwater
Lady Galorey, his hostess, greeted
them.
oh, here you are, are you? Lord
Mersey, Sir John Fairthrope." She
mumbled the rest Of the names Of her
companions as though she did moi
want them understood, then waved to
ward the young chap, calling him Mr.
Dan Blair, and he, as she hesitated
added:
From Blairtown, Montana"
And give him a gun, will you, Cor
DOM" Lady Galorey spoke to hel
husband.
Il discovered Mr.. Blair, Edie," the
duchess announced, land he didn't
even know there was shoot on FOL
today. FANCY"
II guess" Dan Blair said pleasant
ly, I'll take gun out Of this bunch,
and he chose one at random from sew
eral indicated to him by the game
d keeper. y get ny. best .lvrk-when
90 1t blind. Right! Thanks. That
DO, Lady Galorey, | didn't know there
was to be any shooting until the Ouch
ess let It out"
To himself he thought with good.ns
tured amusement, Afraid III spot
their game record, maybe!" and wen
out along with them. following the in
sular noblemen Ike a ray Of sun
smiling on the pretty woman who hat
discovered him In the grounds wher'
he had been poking about by himself
Where, In heavens name, did 20,
'corraP-word Of his own-the deal
boy, Edith? How did he get to On
dene Park, or In fact anywhere, Jus
as he 10, fresh from Eden?"
Thought I'd lstshsn EtSke 4you %.
surprise, dearest. Where'd you hnt
DSn%
Down by the garden house, feedinI
the rabbits, on his knees like q ittlI
boy, bis hands full Of lettuces. r,
Just come q cropper myself on h,
mare. She fell, I'm sorry to say, Edie
and hacked her knees quite lot. On,
Of those disguised bitches, you know
] was coming along leading her whel
! ran on your friend"
The young duchess was slender q
willow, very brunette, with q beautl
full, disconnected face.
I'm going to show Dan Blair Oh,
Lady Galorey responded, going t
give the debutantes a chance"
Placidly nodding, the duchess lit
cigarette and began quoting from Dal
Blair's conversation: Il fancy b
won't let them worry him" hes to-
'busy!'"
You mean that you're going I
keep him occupied
The duchess didn't notice this.
rs he such a catch?"
Neither of the women had wake
out with the guns. The duchess ha
a bad foot, and Lady Galorey neve
went anywhere she could help wit
her husband. She now drew her chat
up to the table in the morning room
to which they had both gone after tn
departure Of the guns, and regarde
with satisfaction a quantity Of Sd
tionery and the red leather desk al
pointments.
| "Sit down and smoke II you likl
| Lily; I'm going to fill out some lists
mo, thanks, I'm going up to m
rooms and get Parkins to massey TIL
beastly foot Of mine. must have fal
en- on 1t. But tell me first, is NJ
Blair a catch?"
II Lady Galorey had opened an a
dress book and looked up from It
reply:
Something like ten milliC
pounds"
II Heavens! Disgusting!"
III The richest young man west
some river or other At any rate
told me last night that it was 'cles
money dare say the river is T
sponsible for its cleanliness, but tn
fact seemed to give him satisfaction
iii The duchess was leaning on the
bic at Lady Galorey's side.
Dams father took Gordon all ov
the west that time he went to Il
states for a big hunt in the Rookie
Ill T.. A.. n l.