Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-13
uicn- fell IN rolds around the slender, grace

full figure
evil my life never be happier than it is
nowf' she murmured with sigh. "Why
has not God blessed me with some Of the Joy
and gladness which he has given to others in
abundance7'
'sMiss Grahamer'
The girl turned and saw servant girl
standing in the open doorway.
Miss Grahame, Mrs Deerhurst would like
you to come to the drawing room as soon az
possible"
''Let Mrs. Deerhurst know that I will be
there Immediately" answered Florence, and
without delay she prepared to obey her en-
ployer's bidding. ''She wishes me to sing"
she said to herself, as she descended the
stairs. VI am sorry. / am not in the mood
for singing for strangers. / wonder if her
visitors will remain many dayss"
As she entered the drawing room, which
was partially filed with visitors, Mrs. Deer
hurst came forward and said in the soft,
sweet voice peculiar to her:
''Miss Grahame, Mrs Marston would be
pleased to hear you sing. She is very fond
Of vocal music"
sit will give me great pleasure to oblige
her." replied Florence, going to the piano.
which stood open at the other end Of the
room
In a few moments her wonderful voice was
filling the room with sweet, sad music.
Oh, fragrant breeze, oh, nurmuring trees,
Oh, waving, whispering lines,
Oh there to be again with thee,
Ny love Of olden times!
AS the last low notes died away Florence
lifted her head and saw reflected in a mirror
before her the figure and face OF John
Macomber. With face white to the very
lips she turned toward him. Their eyes met
for an instant, and scarcely needing Mrs
Marston's murmured words Of appreciation,
she left the circle Of visitors and fed to the
schoolroom.
''At lastl" she cried, her heart beating joy
fully. "At last have seen him and now all
will soon be welll'
She felt that she would suffocate If she re-
manned within doors, and throwing thin
shawl over her head she went out into the
deepening October twilight. All was silent
save for the rustling of the falling leaves and
the occasional cry Of bird
Florence walked on with bright eyes and
joyful heart. Turning a sharp curve in the
path, she came suddenly upon a man leaning
against tree and looking modify upon the
ground. 1t was John Macomber.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw
Florence, his old love, standing before him,
the color coming and going in her face. His
heart gave great bound and then seemed to
stand still. Lifting his hat, he said, coldly:
Miss Grahame l believe"
eyes," said Florence; and then she added,
TREMENDOUSLY:
''Mr. Macomber, am glad we have met,
for have something to ask YOU"
IF l can be of any service, pray command
me-" he answered.
"WiI you Lave the Kindness to explain
this letter, which / received from you two
years ago"
Il think can explain that note without
reading it, Miss Grahame."
Il have never understood it," said Flor
ence.
Il was under the impression that its mea1-
ing was very plain. In that note / intended
to convey the idea that IN compliance with
your wish 1 released you from your engage
ment to me-"
In compliance with my wishI" she re-
peated. Then Grace was right You did
receive a letter which you supposed l had
written"
II certainly received letter from you, in
which you declared that you had never loved
me-"
John" she cried, 81 did not write that
letterr'
You did not write itT'
mo. | never saw it,"
"Florence Grahame, what do you mean?
81 mean that the letter which you received
two years ago, and which you supposed was
written by me. was q forgery"
"Who wrote it,"
81 do not know"
John Macomber looked long and earnestly
into tho face of the girl before him, and he
said to himself that truth lay in her eyes and
on her face
Then you were true?' he said slowly.
YES" she answered; and when he turned
away without a word, forgetful of pride, for
getful of everything except that she loved
him, she cried out, ''Oh, John, you have
ceased to care for mel"
.'God only knows how 1 love youl" he
said, with his face still turned away.
''Then why do you not speak to me?"
Slowly he turned his face, and its deadly
whiteness frightened her,
ooh, my love-" she cried, ''what is its''
''Hushn he said hoarsely. Il am a mar
ried mani"
For while she looked at him in dazed
manner, unable to realize what he meant;
then, as comprehension came to her, she
stretched out her hands and turned away
with long, low cry that told of the death of
q life's bright hope,
For while neither spoke. How the man
longed to take the slender figure in his arms
and murmur loving words of comfort. How
his heart ached to tell her Of all the passion
ate love and longing that filed him, and Of
how duh and ioyless his life would be with
out her.
But it could not be. Another woman stood
between them. Another woman claimed his
loving words and caresses, and he could only
stand there in silence, his heart breaking
with love and pity for the girl before him.
Presently Florence raised her head end
said in a low, stified voice:
Cor
my poor lover he murmured tenderly
''Gor' she repeated. go, Isay!" and with
out word he left her.-Waverley Magazine.
Milton wrote "L'Allegro," "n Penseroso,"
g. - N,