Wichita eagle., 1888-02-05

| which had secretly combined with his none
/ tary need TO bring him now to Liverpool,
must remain only witching, tantalizing
memory. Yesterday he had dared to call
/ and Dnsa had been 50 kind that he had
/ grown bold to whisper words into which she
might, il she pleased, read passion and the
/ old sweet homage Of the man to tie maid
+ He YVES invited to return-to drop in at any
time he chose
| Why not for the last time now! On the
morrow<he would seek safety in fight to
York.
! Where young woman is in the question
I especially girl scarce twenty, with ripping
golden hair eyes like meres Of living light,
! and a face and figure worthy Of At:,rodite as
she dweit in Grecian sculptors brain-how
shall man hold on the even tenor of his way
and be stronga
Young GeoFrey's feet stayed. turned,
finally stood in the hall Of Gartmore, and
then strange thing befell him. He was ush-
cred into boudoir and found Dusa alone,
and there was look upon her face, and a
sweet expectancy in her attitude, that caused
his heart to thump against his breast as if
seeking to depart and fly to that fair custod-
ian for whom nature had SO clearly destined
it. Already he was mystifed, and, it would
hardly be too much to write, alarmed.
''Geoffrey!n whispered soft voice And
volumes could not have gathered into their
covers fuller, richer meaning.
What bewiidering portent was this? For
hard strife with the yearnings Of his own
spirit Godfrey Middleton had come pre-
pared. But not for a challenge of this sort
He was swayed like G reed in the wind
Every maxim Of prudence was driven out of
| his head. The words of his answer-which
was an appeal-came with but scmi-con-
scious volition.
''Dusa, my dear one! Is there any HOPPER
he cried
And ali, the bliss. the bewilderment o. it!
The shapely little head was pillowed upon
his breast Hope' This was certainty.
But, Godfrey, your letter said this even
ing; was not looking for you yet. Were
you SO impatientr'
Ny letter. he echoed helplessly
"Yes; and how curiously formal you were
in expressing what-whst suppose is your
wish"-the blnshing face was averted, or
young Geofreys slowly dawning look of hor-
rif;ed intelligence must infallibly have struck
chill to the tender heart that trusted him
''if hadn't known you-as it really seems
for an age, though it's such a little time-I
should have fancied that, after all, you didn't
very greatly care'-
"Stop, Dusa, my treasure" almost moaned
the startled and dismnyed lover; nothing
can change our regard for each other-noth-
ing shall We are agreed in that:'
Dusa was alert and quivering in every
nerve with new accession Of excitement.
1t was her turn TO be perplexed. Why
this sudden tornado Of anxious, foreboding
passione
eyes, oh, yes" she replied, with shy,
pretty fervor
Then, Dusa, it was not I who wrote to
you; it was my uncle"
Only the rosy kiss of morning on Alpine
snow will compare with the flood of carminc
that overswept the abashed counterance
Amusement and CONSERVATION between them
riveted her to the spot, or the girl might have
fled. Ii this were true, what hoyden she
must have appeared to her visitor. Could
anything be worse than to be won without
being wooed! AID Eer parents too had been
deceived. They had regarded the stately
proposal as enlanating from the nephew, and
on the strength Of old Geoffrey's wealth, in
estimating which the banker had the assist
ance Of private knowledge, they had gra-
ciousiy favored the sutton. IL was a terrible
iuIbroglio, from whatever standpoint the
complex question at issue was regarded.
But young Godfrey had the courage of
despair, and the nobility of his nature as
serted itself
"Forgive me, Miss Venn, for my i'll con-
sidcred attempt just now at pledging you to
a promise which altered conditions may rea-
sonably warrant you in breaking" he said.
Il have been wrong-wrong all through.
But can make this amends. You are por-
fectly free, Miss Venn, as FREQ as ono short
hour ago; even frceT, for then your mind was
entanglcd by singular error. | may never
be my uncle's Leir; no has told me that he
means to marry; did not know whom I
am only poor toiler. II is not for me to
harbor vain ambitions. however sweet
His voice died away in an involuntary
sigh. The touch Of self pity in the last sem
tence Of bis great announcement was almost
tragic.
Dusa had recovered the control of her fac
ulties if no5 her SELF possession. She smiled
through tears
But You made promise, too; and unless
you wish 1t will not release YOU" she said
"eS hoppy pause, III
But the narrator relents and leaves the
hiatus. And Dusa added, with a fash of
mischief irradisting her tremulous confu-
sion:
''Only wish I'd been familiar, Godfrey,
with your handwriting
Ill
Philosophers: who differ in some other mat
tiers almost ss vehemently as politicians, are
agreed that success Is not synonymous with
happiness. Ii is possible to have big bank
ing balance, costly freight on many seas, and
even seniority in the procession to the civic
chair, and to hobnob nevertheless with dis
content. The foot may have its corn and
vince at the slightest touch beneath the vel
vet slipper.
These moral reflections owe their origin in
this place 20 the profound dissatisfaction
that had crept like Merscy fog of December
over the spirit of GeofTrey Middleton, ship
broker. His position was precisely that dex-
terously insinuated above. Aud the cause
thereof was his own hastily adopted purpose
Of matrimony.
His fatefnl letter, once posted By his own
hand, for fear of accidents or the impertin-
ent curiosity Of domestics, he felt for the
moment triumphant 1t was in this mood
that be had dealt his sharp thrust at his
nephew ove- the wine and dessert in the din
ing room.
But when be retired that night it was to a
weary vigil in which carking care was biting
like an acid into the pattern of his heroic re-
solve. With a young and ardent love the
major uncertainty would have been whether
he was TO be accepted or rejected. But old
Geoffrey's thoughts did not tarry long at this
s-sca He had witnessed too many sacrifices