Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-01-17
'IlMSlE'S STEPMOTHEh
By JOHN rRou.

dentlally That he was In the jewelers.
when the elderly lover ordered "Tc
Anne" inscribed In Q circle Of dia.
monds.
Anne met him at the door, ond over
her head Dan saw Baehman by The
window, pinching on q rosebud, out Of
his own late purchase, to put In the
lapel Of his frock coat.
IF you're engaged, Anne" he said
pointedly, I'D better not 90 In TO-
day"
Come right In this minute" urged
Anne cordially. you can go to mar
ket with me in q little while, and then
stay to dinner II you will"
Bachman had his hat in his hand
ready to leave.
you think 1t Is pretty, then, Miss
Amer Don heard him ask at the
door.
It's lovely" said Anne with en-
thusiasm. You've shown splendid
taste"
Anne shut the door quietly and
faced Don, laughter wrinkling up the
corners of her eyes.
Isn't this place bower of beauty
and fragrance? Your roses have made
It summer here even II 1t is winter IN
the rest of the world. They're lovely
Don. What's the matter? Your face
is so long and solemn"
~Blue devils, I guess" he answered
shortly. Mind II / smoker"
Never did, did I? Puff away, but
I'll have you know that II there are
any blue devils In this box OF an
apartment, you brought them in your
pockets. ran them all out thi:
morning and watched them freeze tc
death on the window SILL"
You're mighty gay this afternoon
aren't you?"
Yes, sir, for I have a contract
with big new magazine to furnish a
page Of my cuties in every issue fol
the next six months"
What a clever girl you are, Anne.
That pencil Of yours has made those
little figures Of people famous oVel
the country"
The door opened unceremoniously
and Jimsie Bachman, the son arr
heir to the vast estates of the Honor
able Richard, appeared.
Hello, Miss Anne! Got any cakes?'
81 certainly have. Come In anC
I'll get you some. You know Mr.
Rogers, don't your"
so you have a sweet tooth, Jim
my" said Rogers affably.
my names not Jimmy, it's Jimsie
| saw it IN the Bible I'm all the time
having to tell my right name t
folks"
While Anne went foraging fol-
cakes, Jimsie turned his back to the
fire, hands clasped behind him, il
the most approved man fashion.
Miss Anne's helping dad get mar
ried," he asserted with the import
ance of one giving vital news.
Really" responded the man Jelly
Yes, she's helped him lot bout
Selecting the ring and ALL" went or
the loquacious youngster. The lady's
a friend of Miss Anne's. That's why
she's so interested"
"Who-whom is your father going
to marry?" demanded Rogers, sud
denly.
81 promised not to tell anything
about it to anybody" returned Jim.
sic, loftily.
I'll give you Q dollar to tell me
the truth"
Gee! I'd told for fifty cents, u
said Jimsie quickly forgetting his
conscience. Its Miss Anne Btadner,
she lives in another town. Where's
the money!"
Here you are, Jimsie," said Anne,
coming in just than. II brought you
a box full Of cakes to take on the
train tonight when you and your "a
Their go visiting"
What have you done with your
blue devils?" she demanded, turning
back from closing the door on her
diminutive guest and facing a man
with a very different expression from
the one he had worn half an hour be-
fore. did you give them to Jimsie
He's very accommodating"
Very" he answered, and then as
he watched her adjust a fur toQue on
her dark hair. "Are we going to mar
ket now-to buy a fat pig?"
mo, not that" corrected Anne. 81
need a few extras and I've been too
busy to go out today"
She fastened a great crimson rose
in her furs. Il have to take one
with me-" she said.
ITO you it Is . rose, to me, 1t is
nay heart" he quoted.
That's pretty sentiment, isn't It,
Don? You know SO many beautiful
things to say to women. wonder
what you will say to the one woman
when she comes into your life!"
What every other man has said
before me, just that l love her and
want her. Won't that be enough"
yes" answered Anne on guard
against his apparent indifference, IF
she loves you"