Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1911-12-08

and she believed him.
Paris" he nodded toward the gate
II the woods which opened upon
Paris, is the place to begin in-right'
here. A man." he went on, and his
dps trembled, can only feel like this
pnce in his life. You know all the
talk there is about young love and
hrst love. Well, that's what I've got
Tor you, and I'm going to turn 1t now
right now-into what older people
warn men from, and do their best to
prevent. have seen enough Of
Paris" he went on, these days
have been looking for you, to know
where to 90 and what to do, and | am
setting OF for it now"
She touched his arm.
No." she murmured. mo, boy, you
are not going to do any such thing!"
This much from her was enough for
him. He caught her hand and cried:
Then you marry me. What do we
care for anybody else in the worldF"
Go back and get your hat and stick
and gloves" she commanded, keeping
down the tears.
mo, no, you come with me, Lefty;
I'm not going to let you run to your
motor and escape me again"
Go; I'll wait here" she promised.
Il give you my word"
As he snatched up the inanimate
objects from the leaf-strewn ground
where he had thrown them in despair,
ne thought how things can change in
pale face on which there marks Of ut.
a quarter Of an hour.
Jubilant to have overcome the fate
which had tried to keep her hidden
from him in Paris, he could hardly be-
lieve his eyes that she was before
them again, and, as the motor rolled
into the Avenue des Acacias, he asked
her the question uppermost in his
mind:
Are you alone in Paris, Lefty"
Don't you COUNT"
"No-no-honestly, you know what
/ mean"
You haven't any right to ask me
that"
81 have-I have. You gave me q
right. You're engaged to me, aren't
you? Gosh, you haven't forgotten
have you"
Don't make me conspicuous in tn;
Bots. Dan," she said; 81 only let yol
come with me because you were 81
terribly desperate, so ridiculous"
Are you alone?" he persisted. I"
have got to know"
Higgins is with me-"
"0h, Cod" he cried wildly, "hov
can you joke with me? Don't yol
understand you're breaking my heart !?
But she did not dare to be kind t
him, knowing it would unnerve he
for the part she had promised to play
He sat gripping his hands tight.
together, his lips white. when
leave you now" he said brokenly, "
am going to find that devil of Hun
garian and do him up. Then ! an
going to tackle Ruggles."
"Why, what's poor Mr.. Ruggles 20
to do with it?" -
Dan cried scornfully: For God
sake, don't keep this up! You know
the rot he told you? l made him con
fess. He has had this mania all alonj
about money being a handicap; h
was bent on trying this game witt
some girl to see how it worked" HI
continued more passionately. 81 don
care a rap what you marry me for
Lefty, or what you have done or been
/ think you're perfect and I'll max
you the happiest woman in the world.
She said: Flush, hush. Listen
dear; listen, little boy. am awful,
sorry, but it won't do. neve
thought 1t would. You'll get over
all right. though you don't, you can
believe me now. / can't be poor, yo-
know; really. couldn't be poor"
He interrupted roughly: Who say
you'll be? What are you talkin
about? Why, I'll cover you with Jew
els, sweetheart, II | have to rip tn
earth open to get them out"
She understood that Dan believe,
Ruggles' story to have been a cocl
and-bull one.
you talk as though you could bu
me, Dan. Wait, listen" She put hin
back from her. Now, II you won't b
quiet, I'm going to stop my car"
He repeated: Tell me, are 20,
alone in Paris? Tell me. For thre
days have wandered and searche,
for you everywhere. l have hardl,
eaten a thing, / don't believe hav
slept wink" And he told her Of hi
weary search.
She listened to him, part Of the tim
her white-gloyed hand giving itself VI
to the boy; part of the time bot
hands folded together and away from
him, her arms crossed on her breast
her small shoes of coral kid tappinI
the floor Of the car. Thus they role,
leisurely along the road by the Bots
Are you alone in Paris, Letty?"
And she said: "0h, what a bore yol
are! You're the most obstinate crea
ture. Well. ! am alone, but that ha
nothing to do with you"
A glorious light broke over hi
face; his relief was tremendous.
"0h, thank Godl" he breathed.