Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-04-20
JOHN HARVEYS MISTAKE.


A lie was passing away; softly and
gently it was gliding into eternity. No en-
inene physician watched its decay, no
wealth eased its painful joltings along the
road 10 death; yet no word passed Clara
Laster's lips, no traitorous cry that her bur-
den was greater than she could bear cams
from her loyal heart Pain had traced
many Z wrinkle on her fair forehead, but
her broys had never been drawn together
in angry impatience.
Bel Urmsoa loving her sister devotedly,
and tending her daily, was kept in ignorance
of her danger, and never suspected the sen-
dsrness Of her hold on life. Bel only saw
that Clara was young and beautiful and del
icate. Yes, she was delicate: but then
Clara had been delicate from her childhood,
and since that dreadful morning when news
ceme to them that the steamship
"Cawnpore" had been wrecked OF
the African coast, and Capt Les
ter's name had appeared among
the passengers drowned or missing, his
young bride, Clara Lester, had, as Marga-
ret expressed il, never raised her head.
Death and her sister We're, however, never
associated in Bel Urmson's mind. Clara
was delicate, and that was all
Three years had run their course since
the wreck of the "Cawnpore," and Capt
Lester had never come back to his wife:
and now, she whispered to herself, she was
going to him
Before Bel had attained her 18th year
she was engaged to be married to Lieut.
Haywood, a young officer in the-th Hu5-
sars; but a misunderstanding had arisen be-
tween them, and they had parted Clara
used to say to her: Il am sure there is olly
some foolish mistake between You, and
some day Lieut.. Haywood viii come back
to you, and everything will be explain d"
But Bel had laughed scornfully at Clara's
prophecy, and refused to place any conf
3ence in it Her disappointment had
shaken her faith in human goodness and
integrity, and she became suspicious, reti-
cent and sarcastic. But gradually Clara
Testers influence effected change; and
two years later Bel Urnson had learned to
love again, and was once more engaged to
be married
One morning Bel was seated on a low
stool by her sisters couch, her chin resting
on her hand and her eyes gazing vacantly
on the floor. She had been silent long
time, when suddenly she spoke.
Il thought John ought to know that had
loved before, and so 1 told him the story Of
my love- Was l right"-and she turned
her dark, handsome face TO her sister, while
her glorious brown eyes seemed to repeat
the question, WAS 1 right.'
quite right" Clara answered: you have
only forestalled the advice l intended to
give you to-day. And he, Bsl-what did
Mr.. Harvey say.'
4 blush crept up to the girls cheeks, and
her eyelids dropped for an instant as she
said:
Il don't think he liked it, Clara-he
looked 50 disappointed; but he said very lit
tie. | do love him and he has no cause for
jealousy. But ne is jealou5-jealous as
Otbelloi7-and, with ligh. careless laugh,
she turned away.
Il am sure Bel does not love him" the sis
ter murmured, squeezing her fingers to
gether in agony at the thought
Il have come earlier than usual said
John Harvey, who now entered The fact
is, have received telegram from my
father, informing Inc of his arrival in Eng
land, and requesting my immediate pres
ence in Southampton, because, he ex-
presses it, he is not so well | do not sup
pose if is anything serious; nevertheless. |
am obliged to leave Sutton tonight"
Il am SO sorry" Clara said Il hope YOU
will find him letter" John" she continued,
leaning over and laying her hand on his,
my life is SO uncertain, l may never see
you again. Don't stars-the thought is not
new to me. Promise mel wi not ask
you 70 swear it, for mans word should bs
binding as his oath-5ut promise me now,
before die, to lie always kind to Bel"
Startled and surprised though he was,
without a moment's hesitation he answered:
Il promise To the utmost of my power
l will be good TO your darling; I promise"
Thank you,' she murmured as her sister
and the nurse made their appearances; land
now, If you VIII take Bel away, Mar
garet shall help me to niy room. Goodbye,
john
He shook hands with her, expressing u
hope that when he returned he should find |
her stronger Then he and Bel walked to |
the small iron gate which divided Mr.. Les |
ter's miniature garden from Sutton Com |
mon, and iausing there, he asked:
Bel, will you write to me while / am
awayP
They had been engaged only month, and
this was their first separation: nevertheless
she answered with warm decision:
NO, you viii live on my letters, and be
in no hurry TO come back 10 me"
That same night Clara Lester found the
release for which she had SO long waited
Il viii never listen 20 any OF Bells mad
projects again was John Harveys mental
resolution ms he stepped out upon the plat
form OF Su toa station. Il have been only
fortnight away, and it seems an age since
bsde her good bye at the gate
As be approached the cottage, bis a.ten-
ton was attracted by the figure of a gentle
man walking before him-he was the stran-
ger who had spoken to the porters at
80 10 Il
advance OF John Harvey. not walking in the
desultory, purposeless manner of a stranger,
but like one who, having an obje-t TO ac-
complish, was already in view Of tho goal
for its attainment
"A fine fellowin was Johns soliloquy. Il
wonder who he is and where he is going.'
Almost in answer to the query tine stran-
ger pushed open the gate OF the Home cot
tage, and entering, closed it behind him
In few seconds more John Harvey
gained the gate, and pausing outside, locked
once again on the dear familiar s1ene The
fine cd chestnut spread out its branches in
the sunlight, and yielded the same cool
shelter under Its leaves which il had yielded
n fortnight before; but Clara's couch was no
longer there. Only the small rustic table
and wide garden seat were there; and on a
low chair beside the table. her face buried
on Ter crossed arms WAS Del Irtn>oh Inc
stranger had walked silently and unnoticed
across the green sward, and, standing within
few yards Of her, was attsntivcly regard
ing 49,.
The siri r.. her head and looked at
him. and then, 81 =niny the back of her
chair, slowly rose 10 her .'at
With little cry Of JOY she ran 70 him.
and he folded her IN his arms and Esssi
he- She did not shrink from his oareSsas,
on the contrary, she put her arms around
his neck and kissed him
Gently and teaderly he led her to the gar
den seat: and. seated there, their voices be-
and he heard no more
Il know him now he muttered between
his c,enchei testh, Lieut. heywood-ths
old pvcr-curse him.
With the imprs alton still on his lips lie
turned h, hack On the scene OF his happiesf
hours.
Ten q IL = striking when John Har
vev returned e. The Griffin and half Al
hoar ater he hs left sutton forever.
Two days after his departure Bel Urmson
held in her hands n letter from him, letter
bidding be- farewell, ami telling her that,
Tough h. couii not but gratefully appre-
ciate her eDdesvor 20 love him. yet, know
ing NJ h. cid know. that she had never for
gotten her first love, he had decided TO adop;
the only course LEFT open to him and &C
away.
With rale face and trembling fingers
Bel read the letter; she then folded Il ur
and locked i: away in her desk.