The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1886-02-18

to- We were married On 3 EFfday, ana
on Monday my husband was summoned
to Mexico on business. It was AuQTsk
and they feared would take the fever.
90 Il was decided that must remain &c
home. Some time IN September came :
/ telegram announcing Mr.. Tyxrsli's
death. A wife Of but four weeks. away
nom my husband when he died
imagine my feelings! For over three
years have lived In seclusion. Now
yc1 can understand how natural il Is
that should make mistakes"
In her eyes rose mist that was dam
gerous 70 the Englishman's cherished
composure. He breathed hard, cleared
his throat. and shifted his position.
Finally q little smile stole over Cora's
was like q caress-I often told her she
kissed with her eyes
The next day who should arrive but
the English girl! This advent, it seems,
was the result of an arrangement made
some months before In England. and
which Elliott had not had the nerve to
discountenance.
! happened TO be passing through the
hail when Harriet Norton clasped her
lovers hand in greeting. No words are
needed 70 tell sensitive woman when
she has lost . mans affection. Harriet
knew it then and there-I could tell by
tho pallor that oyerspread her face, and
the sudden drawn look about beg mouth.
Within ten days she had departed, co
companied by her dignifed aunt. who
acted as chaperon. Yet though, ahe
was reserved girl. had learned to
esteem her even In that short time.
''It il very strange" she said. percy
al.
childhood. / believed could trust him
utterly" Here tear welled up In her
clear true eyes. u have never loved
any man but him. We were to have
been married next winter. 1 wonder
how it will seem never to see him
again" Then her gaze wandered over
to the softly tinted mountains. and she
seemed almost to forget my presence.
HE Is honorable after a fashion, and
he would live up to his word; but I do
not care for promise after the life has
gone out Of it.
1t was perhaps month after this that
Mr. EliOtt's engagement to Mrs Tyrrell |
was formally announced.
Cora went about with litheneSs SUBJ
tly suggestive of happiness, yet with no
undue demonstrations of triumph.
There was even an undercurrent of sad
che realized that her gain was another's
loss. Her conduct began to be pro- |
nounced admirable. even by those who |
at first criticized her severely. Society |
forgives almost anything sooner than an |
exhibition of bad taste.
Late one afternoon we were all out |
on the piazza, Elliott among Us waiting
for Cora to come down, when q tail /
stalwart fellow strobe up to the door.
There was certain boldness in his /
stride, certain freedom in the swing /
Of his arms, which bespoke determine
lion.
He asked for Mrs. Tyrrell. She hap
pened to come out just then, looking /
sven more dainty than usual, in her 1
clinging riding-habit. But as she
caught sight of the visitor she stopped /
short. as though turned to stone.
well. Cora" he began.
Still he did not speak, but simply /
stared rigidly before her, her cheeks as |
white as the flowers at her breast.
81 don't call this exactly a tropical
greeting" he continued.
Somebody laughed. Cora's pallor
changed to a hot red. She shut her
teeth together with snap.
Il thought you were in Australia"
sne EasP9I. M,
with asperity. But you see am back
again. You might as well pack up and
come along"
II will not" she answered, digging
her little heels into the floor.
You will notP" quietly. II think
you will"
At this Percy Elliott arose, and walk
ing reSolutelV up to the man said:
Understand that you are dealing
with man as well as defenseless wo-
man"
"And what business is it of yoursP"
retorted the stranger coolly. 81 reckon /
We looked at one another aghast.
Mrs. Tyrrel's husband; she had been
married ten years, and, worst of all, she
was thirty-three years oldi
The Santa Barbara PtGLture ferreted it |
all out and served it up in three double |
loaded columns. Its diligence also dis
covered that soon after meeting Elliott /
the enterprising widow had secretly in
stituted suit for divorce, TyrreN re-
turning FROM Australia barely in time
to quash the proceedings.
''She's the smartest woman on the /
whole coast" he proudly observed TO
the interTogating reporfer-''if / am
speaking of my own property"
We saw Mrs. Tyrren no more. It was /
our last glimpse Of those appealing eyes,
that soft silken hair.
Elliott left precipitately for England. |
hope that Harriet Norton was strong /
enough to Withstand his contrite tears.
But q WOman'S heart is n cTlrious thing