Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-07-11

| ooo0 s18oef preost - Sne opo6o; then In q
altsred tone, and with startling change Q
attitude and manner, she drew letter fror
hsr pocket
Except this, I" she added sternly; ''this
was to give back to you It is your last lei
ter. She did not believe you meant wha
you said n it,
THAT is all ;" said the girl, evidently con
trolling herself by great effort 'Unles
you would like toto kiss
'No, no." interrupted Thurston, in
whisper
81 don't think the worse of you for that,
said the girl, dropping the curtain, with al
air Of relief; ''of all lips, yours are most un
worthy to touch her angel face. But she
babe me ask you-''
She turned aside as she spoke, and Thurs
ton began to edge towards the door.
81 promised / would not reproach you,
said the girl, not attempting to hinder hin
But it was a cruel, heartless crime w,
were alone, she and I-my baby sister
Times were bad, and had to leave her fol
awhile-a little while thought she wa,
safe, but you came by-you, a fine, ricf
gentleman You plucked my poor flower
and then flung it aside God forgive
you?"
Thurstou, who was at heart an homes,
young fellow, was easily moved to genuine
emotion. Innocent as he was of this de-
plorable affair, he was nevertheless simple
and pure minded enough to feel generous
shame at the wrong that had been done.
This, and unaffected sympathy for the grief
and desolation of the elder sister, caused his
blue eyes to grow dim with tears, which the
girl noted
~She hoped you would 60 to her funeral, u
she added in a softer tone, mentioning the
time and place, @and put some flowers on
her grave"
Thurston bowed his head and left the
room. He reached the street in painfully
agitated and bewildered state of mind, and
walked blindly back towards clubiand. But
be did not return to his club to tell the
story. He turned aside into Hyde park,
and walked aimlessly and absently west
ward across the open space, barring his head
to the fresh night breezes 1t is needless to
speculate what depths Of the young man s
soul had been stirred by this tragic episode
1t takes very little sometimes-a falling
leaf, a chance word-to suggest serious and
wholesome reflections
Thurston's cogitations, whatever their
nature, kept him abroad till far into the
night, and when he returned to his cham
bers he suddenly remembered the letter
which the poor girl had handed to him He
drew the letter from the envelope, and q
single glance at the handwriting su.ficed to
reveal to him what he wished to know The
handwriting was unmistakably that of
Mangrave Vernon, the man of ell Others
whose career and reputation he had most
envied
This discovery Jared unpleasantly upon
young Thurston's feelings Most people
would have been less surprised than he at
such revelation. Mr.. Mangrave Vernon
was man Of fashion, man OF pleasure
a social butterfly, in fact; agreeable, witty,
polished. and eagerly sought after by wo-
men and youngsters But there was a
seamy side to his character, which shrewed
persons suspected, and knowing cnes had
long ago found out He had treated Thurs
ton with consideration, for the fellow was
rich and well connected; and therefore the
lad, admiring his dazzling qualities, had
secretly worshiped him and made him his
idol
Even in his present rather severe mood
Thurston was disposed to make every ex-
cuse for his friends conduct There had
been a misunderstanding, no doubt; he
could, probably, give different complexion
to the affair At all events Thurston re-
solved to give him the opportunity, if only
in the hope OF being able to retain his re-
gard for him. Accordingly, the young man
scaled up the envelope, and next day he
took Mangrave Vernon aside at the club and
handed it to him
What's this" exclaimed Mr. Vernon,
putting up his eye-glass "a letter.
You had better look at it," said Thurs
ton, gravely.
by Jove My last letter to little Mag
gle, written months ago." exclaimed the
other, reddening slightly.
"How did you get hold of it.'
Tell me, Vernon; is the poor girls story
trues" said Thurston
Il never contradict lady-especially if
she be pretty; and Little Maggie was devil
ish dretty," said Vernon, lightly, but look
ing rather uncomfortable, nevertheless Il
1on't know what her story Is. She is not
going to be troublesome, hope-especially
Just now. II, as l gather, you are inter
,sted in the young lady"
@She is dead" interrupted young Thurs
on sharply.
Dead, is she. Well, that's lu- mean |
,oor girl. Sad, of course, very sad" said |
Mr.. Vernon, endeavouring to look con
,erned, but msnifestly relieved That be-
ng So don't mind confessing that any
little unpleasantness with a lady, just as !
I'm seriously counting q hundred-thousand |
,ound heiress
as that all You have to say. calculated |
7oup- Thurston, beginning to breathe |
quickly.
IS friend, not to allow yourself to be mixed |
Up in affairs of this sort" said Mr.. Vernon,
n his most genial tones
"Nernon, | believe you arc william |
ried the young man, losing his self-control, |
md looket decidedly dangerous
"For heavens sake don't mako a fool Of |
exclaimed Mr. Vernon, hastily |
Using from his Longing attitude What |
he
For some unspoken reason, Mr.. Vernon
i'd not finish his sentence. The two were |
lone in one of the small card rooms, and |
here was no one to interfere in case of
disturbance. This reflection probably oc-
urred TO the elder man, and young Thurs
on's attitude was certainly aggressive Mr. |
'ernon rather prided himself upon his dis
retion, and he manifested it on this occa-
ion by sinking out of the room without
eeking to prolong the interview
Young Thurston, quite unnecessarily, rs
turned out, sent note to Mr. Vernon,
fating where he was to be found the
ext day, and adding that on the day after
9 proposed to leave England, possibly for O
ing period Meanwhile, on the morrow.
@ was the spectator Of sad little funeral
n dreary London cemetery There was
My one mourner-a poor young girl, who
ppesred too much overwhelmed with grief
, notice him Young Thurston fingered.
rather shamefaced, embarrassed way.
mong the tombstones at a little distance,
ntil the mourner, at the conclusion OF the
hort service, looked up at him. Then he
anne forward, and cast q wreath OF white
overs into the grave.
Il believe my angel was right, and that
GU really loved her. murmured the poor
Ios;rner as she passed him Thank God
,r that, at least Perhaps now, in time,
,al learn to forgive you, Is she wished "
onsop Truth
Compulsory Prayers at u College.
The campaign against compulsory pray
RS at Harvard is being waged furiously by