Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-12-06

uly
Suppose it's a womanY
"Just the same"
~Win you swear me in?"
"Why? What for?" inquired Levi,
with q tremendous start
ITO serve the papers,
All present stared wonderingly at
vesta, but no disparaging comments
were made. All well knew that Vesta
had great force of character, was per-
severing and dauntless and not likely
to make a laughing stock of herself, or
fail in anything she undertook
In fact, Vesta had a definite plan of
procedure outlined in her active mind
already, but she did not impart its
details to the others. When she got
to her room alone she picked up the
county-seat weekly, arrived that day.
Vesta smiled to herself as she sought
out an item informing the public that
Miss Letitia Ridley, Woodville, would
pay well for the services of a compan-
ion or houSekeeper.
Miss Letitia Ridley was the sister of
the gentleman whom Levi wished so
ardently to find. 1t seemed that the
spinster lady would greatly miss her
brother after he had gone on his tour,
and felt the need of companionship
during his absence. She felt herself
fortunate, indeed, when a bright, in
telligent young woman calling herself
Miss Marsh presented herself and quail
flied for the position.
81 hope you will never have to leave
me, Miss Marsh" declared the spin
ster, a week later. "You seem to fit
in here like a real member of the
family"
Miss Marsh was, indeed, a jewel Of
housekeeper. AS a companion she
was perfectly entertaining. She could
cook, sew, knew all kinds of fancy
work, which domestic utility was fad
with her patroness. She was thor
oughly educated and in touch with all
the newest events of the day right up
to the minute.
One evening Miss Marsh noticed that
the spinster drew all the shades close.
ly and seemed FESTIVE and expectant.
Finally there came a peculiar knock
at the rear door and she arose and
hurried to open 1T, to be kissed and
embraced by an auguSt-looking old
gentleman, who, however, the moment
he was well within the house cast
aside false wig and beard and stood
revealed as handsome young man of
about twenty-five. Miss Marsh, peer
ing from an adjoining room, witnessed
the arrival and metamorphosis.
And, oh, Mark I've found such an
agreeable and helpful young lady COM
panion. Miss Marsh !" she called, and
the model in question answered the
summons. Mark Ridley regarded the
new member of the household with a
critical and approving eye. Beauty,
grace and character appealed instant
ly to his ideals of attractiveness. He
bowed low and interestedly.
"Allow me to present you with this
summons, Mr.. Ridley" and Miss
Marsh" extended a folded document to
the amazed young man. Il am sorry
to have played a double part" con-
tinued Vesta, and her voice broke and
she flushed scarlet, but the paper had
to be served"
"Oh, I am shockedi disappointed :"
gasped Miss Ridley, and sank collaps-
ing into chair. To her amazement
her brother, after a moment of stupe-
faction, burst into a hearty laugh.
SO that's the way, is IT," he chuck
led Miss Marsh, I award you not
only cleverness, but admiration, and
thank the law for sending so fair a
deputy on my dark and sinuous trail ~
"Oh, brotherl then you will have to
forego your trip and stay at home
to fight that horrid lawsuit"
"Tell you. Letitia,' spoke Mark Rid
ley briskly, 81 had just about decided
to do that. My old partner has ex-
hibited such unreasonable venom in
trying to bother me that I am going
to fight his injustice to finish. Why,
my dear young lady"
But Vesta did not hear him. Her
head had dropped into her hands and
she was sobbing bitterly.
ooh why did do it?" she cried. ST
was so happy herei Now 1 will have
to go. and 1 must appear to you as a
heartless, conniving schemer."
you poor dear % soothed the tender
hearted spinster, and folded the weep
ing girl in her sisterly arms, and con-
soled her. Her brother looked as If
he would have liked to assist her.
Vesta got the five hundred dollars
and Don went to college, and Mr.. Rid
ley remained to win the suit against
his partner in which he defeated him,
as the latter deserved. He got into the
habit of calling regularly at the Bur
| rows home. Result:
Mark Ridley did not go abroad, and
Vesta Burrows did not have to teach
school.