Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-06-26

curls. These curls, short and silken, were
what one first observed in him.
"Oh, yesl Won't you come inf" said Gle
lie, simply.
He entered with a smile
The room was small and commonplace, fol
that was the age when a woman's idea Of
the house beautiful was a building adorned
with wax aawers. bead baskets and works Of
supererogation in cross-stitch.
On the mantelpiece stood two cheap
empty vases, with faring mouths thai
seemed to be gaping like hungry swallows,
AMI a wild, red pattern gambolled over the
wallpaper, evolved by some designer oi
chaotic brain. A more complete culture
feels something like envy Of the robust gen.
Grafton that could live unblighted by such
surroundings 1t was in the natural Sc
quence Of events that Mark should have
come. Clele was not surprised; but she re-
manned silent as she pondered over some
subject Of conversation choice enough to Of
fer her distinguished visitor.
This young man, without intending it,
always made u false impression upon new
acquaintance by seeming to be so much
more than he really was. But this was the
fault of his face, and partly, also, because
he was capable Of looking such unutterable
things. His sufficiently kind and candid
nature did not warrant the depth of his
4 eyes.
Meanwhile Clelie was still cajoling the
| truant bail to her side; and, observing this,
the young man went down on his knees to
restore it While in this position, it occurred
to him to ask her il she liked knitting.
quite WE'LL" said she, sedately ut is
| lot for thav. 20 ax Ia "a.
IN that case l had better learn to knit, "
said Mark; "for my hands are very often
| idle You might teach me-"
But perhaps you could not learn all about
it in one lesson-rounding the heel and
everything"
This gave him an opportunity to remark:
Then might come again.
Clelie glanced up, resolved to look severely
at him; but her purpose broke into a glim-
mering smile.
Mark found it very sweet to sit in this
poor little room, with the spring rain max
ing exclamation points upon the pane, and
opposite him pair Of eyes that had the blus
of winter dusk.
What they said to each other was not very
wise; but it sutherland what mora can
one demand Of an interview
ne WIS annOyeu "neu SaVdlleT and Bill
presently intruded themselves.
"Father, this is Mr.. Reynolds" said
Clelie
Il am very happy to meet you, Mr.
ah-"
"Jones-thank you, SIR" said Cavalier in
low voice.
"And this is Mr.. Calvert" added Clelie,
indicating Bill.
The minstrel boy folded his arms and re-
turned Marks salutation as slightly as pos.
sible
The sparkling little stream of conversation
had run dry, and Mark soon took his de-
parture.
Missy said Cavalier. gently, as she
stood at the door
She did not realize at first that she had
been called, and then she turned, with q
start
is supper most ready, do you reckon,
honeyi" he asked. bill and me have to be
on hand prompt tonight"
"Of courseD cried Clelie, alertly "Idon't
know what am thinking about"
When she left the room Cavaliers head
sunk on his breast
Mark returned, and continued to return.
II. made it rather impressive that these
visits were largely the result of accident.
He tried the experiment Of staying away,
but it did not agree with him, and he aban-
doned the idea as pernicious.
This filed Cavalier with bitterness as he
ashamed of comm to see my girli' he won
dereI. Like enough be thinks she isn't
enough of lady for him." An inner voice
added, "Ahi but he doesn't know"
There amt any call for him to know"
said Cavalier, turning upon this monitor.
@If he's mean as that let him GO She's
mine. Haven't cared for her, and nursed
her, and brought her up from little childf7
why don't you tell that fellow to keep
awaya" asked Bill, who had become sullen
shadow in the house.
Il reckon Missy wodldn't lie that, Bill"
HAS it come to that, theni' cried the
other.
"Well, you see. reasoned Cavalier, iii
there's any sendin' Of young man away, a
girl centrally likes to do it herself. No, Bill,
things have got to stagger along the best
they can"
But in spite Of this outward calm hs
watched, with sickening dread, for the
signs of unhappiness on Cleliss face. Alasi
she was too happy.
AT length, one day, Cavalier said: "The
seasons over, Missy, and I reckon we'll
leave here for bit"
"Oh, no. father!' cried Clelie, involunta-
rly.
"Why, you see," he said slowly, "the coun-
try air'il do you good.
"Oh, If that's ALI why, father, am per-
fectly we'll"
Il amt so we'll myself" Cavalier went on.
~You won't mind goin' with your poor old
father, will you, honeyP
"Why. why" and her tender arms were
around his neck, what makes you think l
don't love you"
aIknow you do, Missy The place amt
far from the city. and it's q nice little house
where we'ro goin' to stay"
ayes, father" said Clelie. piteously. Mark
lid not come to see her that day; but on the
following day he made his appearance.
Il am going away" she said, almost as
soon as he entered.
"Wherei whenf' he stammered.
"Oh! very soon," said Clelie, Tomorrow"
He looked down at the floor, and pondered.
Presently he said, "And arn't you ever COM
ing back again"
II don't know"
"Ahl' said he, and pondered again.
This apparent acQuiescence affected Gle
lie with a sense Of powerless suffocation.
He was taken by surprise His mind had
not leaped forward to such results He had
been thinking only Of to-day, and now to-day
was passing out of his reach.
at isn't SO very far away" she obser we'd
@Only at Bayou Perette."
"Ohl is that all!' said Mark, in relieved
tone. Il thought was going to. lose you
forever"
"Why, shall you miss me, now and then"
"All the time" he answered, heavily.
@But you said you are not going far away"
do you mean, would you ever come to
see usi"
"Why, yes-yes, of course. And SO you
are going tomorrow l wish had known
t."
Il don't see what good that would have
donen
swell, It wouldn't have done much good"
assented Mark.
Outside the afternoon sky was flushed
with wonderful floating clouds that shons
upon the old cathedral and the low-roofed
French market Across the glorified river
at Algiers, there was great tangle Of masts
and spars against the clear background.
There was a watery brightness in the air
like q smile in the midst OF tears
The customary noises sbbed and flowed.
A litts tugboat gave Q shriil, yelping
whistle, and, at intervals, the bell Of the
uttered deep sound like sob
Cleiie felt the tears burning under her eye
lids as Mark rose to his feet
won't you wait until father comes ini"
she asked.
Il am obliged to 60; have an engage
ment"
He'll be sorry" murmured Clelie.
@But will see you again" Mark sug-
gested.
you are going on the Golden Gates,
aren't youf Well, I'll be down in time to
tell you good-by
For a moment her hand was inclossd in
his, and then he left her.
A tear rolled down her cheek as he passed
beyond her sight
"But I'll see him tomorrow she whis-
perad with q sob
I'D rather stay out on the guards. father"