Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-03-09


of a private nature 1 must ask you to
invite me to your ROOM
Linton did not remove his overcoat
when they were closeted together He
stood with hat in his hand.
1T may surprise you to learn that
my business concerns Miss Presson
and the legislative ball tomorrow even
ing" began Linton. but Harlan indig-
nantly broke in.
You can have no possible busipes.
with me. sir, in which Miss E'ressons
name may be mentioned. Don't you
use her name-not in any way. Do
you understands
Miss Presson has accepted your es-
cort to the ball tomorrow evening
Don't you know. Thornton. why you
can't take Madeleine Presson into pub
lie, this whole state looking on: 1
hate to say any more than that.
don't think it's necessary for me to say
any more than thati' His face was
hard, his tone accusing.
Il tell you. you have no right to men
ton Miss Presson to me.'' cried the
other.
I'm taking it on myself, and I'm
giving you a chance by doing it, re-
torted Linton. The story is bad
enough now. But you'Il be drummed
cent girl IN the way you plan to do
In his Indignation Thornton had been
slow to grasp the fact that his rival
was making hints that both affronted
and threatened. His conscience accus-
ed him of nothing. He felt the crackle
of paper in his breast pocket He
promptly suspected that Linton had
CLEANED a hint of the proposed legisla-
| ton which would involve Medicines
father.
| He tried to control his anger.
''Will you kindly explain to me by
| just what right you say this" he
sneered-"except. possibly, that you're
| jealous because Miss Presson chose me,
as her escort?''
Il have a right as a friend of her
mother if nothing else, 1 am keeping
| this thing as still as l can for your
sake, for in this case protecting You
means protecting her. l don't want to
say any more! But sudden illness
must prevent you from accompanying
Miss Presson into public at that ball.
Harlan beat palm upon his own
| breast.
I've had enough of this, Linton.
You tell me what you're driving at
Let me say this in my own de-
fense,' pleaded Linton. "Spinney was
with the story. l got it from him al
most by accident. We were talking
over our railroad bill this evening,
and he mentioned your stand. Then
he out with the story that he picked
up when he was in Fort Canibas.
do not listen to gossip, Mr.. Thornton,
but it is plain that Spinney has facts.
1 have inquired in a prudent way of
other men from your section. He has
the story, but what they say confirms
it,"
Harlan listened, his blank amaze
ment deriving him of speech.
1--WE said enough now, haven't Il"
asked Linton significantly.
mo, you haven'tl' shouted the 9TH
er, coming out of his lethargy of as
constituent. The recollection of Spin
ney's sinister hints came to him.
"What do you mean?'
81 mean that a man who will fool
| and throw over a girl in a way that
drives her away from home and
friends is no fit escort
Re got no further. He knew thor
| oughly maddened and dangerous man
when he saw one. He stepped back
when Harlan dashed at him, and
Thornton halted of his own accord.
After a time he Gained himself enough
to speak.
'Ill not begin with you, Linton. I'll
begin with the man who started that
damnable lie. Oh, that-that'- He
| failed his arms about his head, unable
to express himself. you've been lied
to. You don't know any better than
to say that. If you hadn't been jeal-
GUS you'd never have brought the sto-
~ to me. I'll make allowancesp he
| raved on. HBut the man who started
that story will swallow it with teeth
and blood mixedr'
Linton was impressed, but not rout-
ed. He waited till Harlan was quieter.
81 hope you'll get it Strengthened
out" he said coldIy. "But with a sto-
~ like that extant of course you'll see
the wisdom of the course I've sug-
gested. You cannot afford to drag
Miss Presson's name into your affair"
Unto my affair! You dirty pup. do
you dare to intimate-are you lunatic
~ about me?'
The epithets sent the color into Lin
toms face. But he restrained himself.
"Your own grandfather had to take
| you in hand about the matter before
you left Fort Canibas, Thornton. L
heard him say that much myself. He
gave no details. / don't care for any.
1 merely came to you to bring a hint
as to what you ought to do"
Look here, Linton, I've usually got
pretty good control of myself I'm try