Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-12-06
CHAPTER vi.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

Observation-Disclosures.
ffo&e's NdrrGtiDe.
We have started visitors book 1t
opens with press cuttings of inter
views with Professor Bohns, the IA
NOUS Archaeological, who came to ex-
anime the paleolithic deposits at South
Cave Next are papers relating to a
summons for assault, brought by the
late Mr.. Trevor against ]. Smith. But
the gem of our collection is letter OF
lengthy explanation from an eminent
italian cur, who spent whole month
at the ranch last winter. Nobody is
more hospitable, or more hungry for
popularity than my dear man, but 1
fhink that special prayers should be
differed for his visitors. He has a
motto now:-"Love me: love my bear.
mot any missus.'
My jealous hero has told the story
of an old admirer, once my FELLOWSHIP
dent. who brought me a dumpy piano
&or which 1 SO starved. told me the
news. talked shop, and would make
Sne prima donna-my life's ambition
The trap was well baited. Lonely, and
Terrified by the dread majesty of win
tier. craved for the lights, for the
lcrowds. for my home, for my people,
for my art. And there are little things
tbeSides which mean SO much to a
woman.
Salvador turned out to be a cur, his
mission despicable, and yet no woman
born can ever be without some little
Tenderness for one whose love mis-
heads him. And 1 who sought to read
~ lesson to poor Jesse, learned one
for myself. 1 am no longer free, but
fettered, and proud of the chains,
loves chains, worth more to me
chan that lost world.
One morning, it must have been the
fwenty-sixth, I think, we had a caller,
destined, fear to entry in our visi-
tors book. Jesse had ridden off to
see how his ponies thrive on the new
grass, Mrs O'Flynn was redding up
after breakfast. and finding myself in
the way, took my water colors down
20 Apex Rock, to see if one sketch
would hold winter, spring, summer, as
viewed from the center of wonder
Hand.
Now our house being in full view
from the apex. and sound travelling
MaS1cally in this clear atmosphere,
heard voices. Mrs. O'F1ynn had q
visitor. and l was in such jealous
hurry to share the gossip, that my
sketch went over the cliff as l rose
30 run A rather handsome man, in
the splendid cowboy dress, stood by
a chestnut geiding. such horse arts
ltDcrat that made sure he must spori
a coat of arms. Moreover, in a gin
tsHfy and reluctant way, as though
tuntier orders, he was kissing Mrs
lOTiynn. She beamed, bless her silly
loId heartI
MIS- O'Flynn looks on her truthful
mess as a quality too precious fo
everyday use. and so carefully has i
been preserved that in her fifty-fourtl
year 1T shows no sign of wear. Hence
ON reaching the house 1 was not sur
prISed to find that her visitor was
total stranger
Judge by signs-chivalry, reticence
courtesy-Mrs. O'Flynn's guest wa
mot n cowboy. His fiorid manners
exaggerated politeness, and imitation
OF our middle-class English speecl
stamped his as bounder, but not o
the British breed Later. In moment.
OF excitement. he spoke New York
with n twang of mussc-hall
Even in so lonely place it is Gu
rfous Go remember that such a person
IshouId appeal to me. Still in hi
common way the man had beauty, car
xfed his clothes we'll, moved will
grace So much the artist in me saw
and liked. but think no woman coul,
have seen those tragis eyes withou
being Influenced.
~Ah. Mrs. Smith. believer" II,
stood uncovered. May / venture t,
ask IL your husband is at home?
think I had the pleasuah of KNOWN,
hIra years ago down in Texas"
He'll be back by noon"
Thank you, madam. Fact is, W,
were very much surprised to see yon
chimney smoke. We thought this ex
Qaisite place was quite unoccupied
IB<3eed.'
who's 'we'?''
oh. we're the outfit riding for Gen
Erzl Schmidt. We've come in search
OF the spring feed. We were informed
that Ponder's place was unoccnpied
t0Den TO all. Am I mistaken in sup
Uosfng that this Is Ponder's placer"
ut ts.-'