Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-09-13


to call upon you to help me out IN
that respectl don't know much
about fripperies."
1t was Mrs. Armstrong; turn to
look surprised and then amused.
Elizabeth will not take kindly to cur
Interference" she said. "She has
chosen her own clothes ever since she
was ten years old"
"Ohi" stammered Dick blankly,
conscious that he was talking at cross
purposes with Elizabeth's companion.
Deity he changed the subject and
waited for the appearance Of this pre-
cocious Elizabeth, who was undcubted.
ly a little older than he had had rea.
son to believe. Miles Weldon was such
a careless fellow 1t would be just like
him to forget the age OF his only
child.
"A few years more won't make
much difference" he was thinking
when the door opened and a girl On.
tered.
A girl Of nineteen she was, with
small oval face framed In misty
black hair; pair Of hazel eyes and a
scarlet mouth that smiled at him with
charming shyness.
Elizabeth, this Is your guardian
Mr.. Betting" said Mrs. Armstrong de
murely.
As Dick bent low over the girls
slender hand he recovered his equa
nimity.
u was looking for a nine-year-old
girl" he said with his charming smile
I'm afraid had relegated you to the
schoolroom for ten long years."
Elizabeth laughed softly. "How
dreadful when ! have Just hidden
good'by to it foreVer!"
Il even contemplated selecting your
clothes" went on Dick gravely.
Horrors! You will forgive me
too; but | thought you would prove Ia
be quite-an old gentleman" blushed
Elizabeth, thereby Increasing her love
illness. "You see. my fathers hair was
white-and ! thought you were his
friend-and were Of the same age"
Your father was fifteen years old
er than J." explained Dick, rather
hastily. He did not want this beautl
full ward Of his to look upon him az
an old man. He stole a shy, anxiou.
glance into an opposite mirror to re
assure himself as to his appearance
and therein caught the amused glance
OF Mrs. Armstrong.
oh, you are years younger thar
my father" said Elizabeth, kindly.
Thanks" murmured Dick, and ther
producing the letter he had received
from her father he gave 1t to her.
She read it with tender eyes filled
with tears. "A mistake has beer
made" she said as she gave It back t.
him. This is letter my father mus
have written ten years ago, when h,
suffered bad attack Of heart diseas,
and believed himself to be dying
There is later letter written durinI
his last illness. In the confusion fol
lowing his death the lawyer, Mr.. Felt
some, must have forwarded you tn,
wrong letter. He had charge Of tn,
papers"
81 am glad" said Dick heartily. an,
then because he could not explain t
them how glad he was he made ar
rangements for them to dine with hin
that evening and hurried away.
Gordon Joined them at dinner, an
his amazement at sight of Dick
charge was delightful to witness. T,
Dicks disgust the fat, good.nature,
clubman appeared more impresse,
with the charms Of Mrs. Armstrong
than with those Of the beautiful girl.
How is your orphan" he aske,
Dick one day.
Il hope she Is happy" returned
Dick with tender smile, ''for she hai
just promised to marry me-"
"Glorious!" cried Gordon, with
squeeze Of his big hand, I'VE vii
make 1t double wedding!"
mot Mrs. Armstrong;"
None other. OF course, I know sh,
hasn't sou and ! ought to MARI!
money, but I'm simply gone on her
Dick, and I'll change my whole mod,
Of life just to gain her." Then, anx
iously, Haven't you heard that it wal
cheaper for two to live than onl!
one%
Lets all try IT," said Dick soberly