Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1914-07-24

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had scoffed Indignantly.
If he had been financially able to,
he would have shown" the town, then
and there, by covering her with rings
and necklaces Immediately after the
ceremony. All through his engage
ment his heart had burned with indig-
nation against the old aunt who had
brought her up; not one jot of fun had
the child ever had,
Instead Of telling the girl that he
longed to do things for her, and some
day would, he kept the wish locked
tight in his heart.
Coin to buy another machine?"
she asked listlessly as she cleared the
table of the breakfast dishes.
Elmer nodded. He tried to conceal
the smile that would come on his face,
and failed.
What you smilin' at?" she asked
quickly, stopping short.
"Oh, nothin'," he answered grufly.
I'm just feelin' good, that's all. l
guess it was your coffee, Milly."
He noticed that she was little stiff
when he kissed her good-by and start
ed out for the stable, but he tossed
the thought from his mind; she would
forgive his closeness when she un-
derstood the reason for his trip. Whis-
ting heartily, he jumped into his wait
ing wagon, and pointed tie horses
head cityward.
The old mare at last pulled into the
suburbs of the city. Leaving the rig
at a public stable, Elmer started out at
once for one of the many jewelry
shops. 1t was lunch time, but what
was mere food in comparison with the
great object of the trip?
And every article on the list he got.
Even the bracelet with the queer blue
stones reposed in his pocket when at
last he started homeward.
When he pulled in sight of his farm
he was surprised to see no friendly
light in the windows.
Must be some neighbours sick, Han
na," he said, staring. "NOthin' else
would take Milly away from home at
this hour Why, it's seven o'clock"
In the dining room, just as he had
hoped, he found note.
Dear Elmer" it read, 81 have gone
up to Harperville to spend the day
with Fred Kent"
"a Watson!" he whispered, sinking
, his head into his hands.
Then he began to pace the floor. He
had known that Milly had gone to
school with Fred Kent that they had
been boy and girl sweethearts.
1T can't be- he cried. "Oh, Milly!
Milly! You're just my simple little
girl! know you, Milly!"
Yet, there was the discriminating
note-and written by her own hand!
Not exactly knowing where he was
going, he strobe swiftly to the door
and out into the darkness. He found
his feet taking him to the house OF
Milly's aunt. Perhaps the old lady
would be able TO throw some light on
things.
! But the old lady was as much at sea
as Elmer himself.
"Milly gone!" she cried.
Elmer hesitated before launching
the worst fact.
"She's-she's not alone" he began
gradually. "She's-with a man"
"a mani" she grew white to her fin
ger-tips.
He nodded. Fred Kent"
why, Fred Kent's dead" she cried
why, boy, Milly's foolin' you! She
knows he died last week. l told bel
80 myself"
At this point the two turned swiftly
The creak Of door had startled them
There in the doorway stood Milly.
81 hope l gave you good scare!'
she cried vibrsntly. You deserve one
Elmer Greedy! ANY man who'll 90 on
with another woman, who'll buy bel
things when his wife is slavin' for hin
night and day!" In trembling con
tumely she flung down on the table
scrap Of white paper and stood back
as though to say that that could finish
her sentence for her.
With quick step Elmer bent ovel
it. It was the list of jewelry articles.
AN it's not the first time you've
bought things for her." accused Milly
"'Bracelet to match the blue neck
lace What blue necklace? There's
none on the list"
But Elmer was in no mood to an
swer her; his heart was beating pray
ers of thankfulness at the discover!
that she had not gone the way of othe
Watsons.
Come home, he said gently, taking
her arm firmly in his, "and we'll Sc,
who that other woman is"
downright. 1914. BY the Mcclure Newspa
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