Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-01-24
MISS PECKHAM'S BEAU
BY BLANCHE HARPER.

W Tue WOmcu WIN "CiO boeAoAO8
around the bridge table.
You don't say SOL" exclaimed MrA
Holman. who is he?"
The new boarder," replied MrA
Bennett. He's the tall young man
who sits at the middle table. He took
q great fancy to Miss Peckham the
very day he came. I'm so glad! Mlsa
Peckham Is one of the finest womeA
at the Brownstone, and 1t certainly b
q shame that she never had q beaA
before"
Never had beau!"
Never repeated Mrs. Bennett
impressively. She admitted II b
me in confidence one day. iAtsaA
to help her along all can. and -
that she. lands Mr.. Weed, for she del
serves good husband"
Il should say she does!" agreed
one Of the other women. Lets ~
put in q good word for her, and thsa
II she doesn't land him 1t won't ~
our fault"
That evening after dinner Mral
Bennett was sitting on the front
porch Of the Brownstone alone wheal
young Weed made his appearance.
Good evening, Mr.. Weed" chirp{
ed the gopher eyed Mrs. Bennett
How do you like the Brown1
stone?"
Very much indeed, Mrs. BennetI
The food is good and | find the peel
pie pleasant"
I'm SO glad to hear you say sal
Mr.. Weed. I've lived here four yearal
and am very fond Of all the people
here, especially the young ladies'. We
have such lovely young ladies herr.
don't you think so?"
Yes, yes, indeed" young Weed ~
piled nervously. A bachelor can never
be too wary.
Il think Miss Peckham is an esps4
cially fine GIRL Mrs. Bennett went
on. she is perfectly splendid ana
she makes the best things in q chafinR
dish you ever tasted"
Mrs. Bennett glanced out Of the COR
ner Of her alert brown eyes to see
the effect her speech was having upon
young Weed. He was plainly moved
for he fingered his cane nervously ARA
hurried down the steps, murmurinx
something about an engagement.
The next morning Mrs. Holmes mek
young Weed in the hall on his way b
breakfast.
Good morning, Mr.. Weed. Lovely
morning, isn't it?"
Fine, ine,' agreed young Weed.
standing politely aside for Mru,
Holman to pass, but that designing
person moved not at all.
TOO bad this isn't a holiday. n
would be such a lovely morning 70
play golf. You know, Miss Peckham
is an expert golfer, and you shoula
challenge her to a game some fine
morning"
"Yes?' spoke young Weed, inquir>
ingly, reddening a trihe. Il am not
much of a golfer myself"
Then you should have Miss PECK,
ham take you in hand and teach YOU
insisted Mrs. Holman. I'm sure she
would love to. She is so accommodate.
ing! and she has such perfect dis.
position! Really, Mr.. Weed you should
know her better"
Young Weed succeeded in driving
Mrs. Holman before him to the break
fast room, where she beamed at him
from her table across the room all
through the meal.
As young Weed stopped at the mail
box in the hall Mrs. Adams sailed
down the front stairs, elbows waving.
Looking for love letter, Mr.. WeedI@
she bantered gayly.
mot this morning, Mrs. Adams. Ne
such good luck for me. Haven't got
girl, you know" He smiled at her
unsuspiciously.
well, now, that's too bad, Mr..
Weed. A man with your good looks
should not have any trouble finding a
girl Ii you want any help, Just let
me know. | know of one not very far
away. She is dear, and I'm sure you
would like her very much ii you knew
her better. There! I've let the cat
out of the bag, for you do know her
already. Really, Mr.. Weed" she went.
on confdentially, Miss Peckham il
one of the most charming girls at the
Brownstone. And so versatilel She
can do anything-cook, sew, sing, COR
verse intelligently, DO anything.
: Really, you should cultivate her &C.
, quaintance. I'm sure you two would
; be very congenial."
Young Weeds hair fairly stood
up with alarm as he hurried away.
Evidently there was a combination
to snare him.
The next afternoon Miss Peckham
sat on the porch reading. She was
entirely unconscious of the havoc
that had been wrought by her we'll
meaning friends. She looked up In
surprise as young Weed came out on
, the porch, suitcase in hand, his long
pointed nose stabbing the atmosphere
before him. Having scented danger.
he was making his retreat. He started
slightly as he spied Miss Peckham and
took firmer grip upon his suitcase
Why, Mr.. Weed. are you leaving