Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-22

getting so discouraged" sne went on, Il
am always trying to help or do goo9 IN
some way but / don't seem to succeed.
My way is not the right one; I've over
done it, People are getting tired OF my
subscription lists. II 1 could only 90
some honest work myself" An idea was
forming in Howard's mind, one full OF
hope He could give her the opportunity
she wished for. His age ought not 10 be
stumbling block; he was sure he couio
not love her more dearly were he twenty
or thirty years older than he was-and
just then young lady was announced.
"Oh, Annier' exclaimed Miss carmen,
"I'm so glad you've come; / am in the
greatest trouble. VIII you help me:'
tOf course will If can, but you must
tell what it is before / promise, and l
warn you beforehand, / refuse to be Re
becca and sell lemonade, and on no ac-
count will dress myself up for Japan
csc woman l did it once and it was too
hideously unbecoming; now tell me-
II only want you," continued Miss Car
men, "te take part in little play to be
given privately here-O, excuse me, Mr..
Howard-Miss Gordon, my rector, Mr..
Howard l am so upset, you know,
quite forgot myself. The play is for
1.-THE Mexican Indians" Miss Gordon in
terrupted; 81 knew it; well, why don't
you ask Grace Henley;"
II did, and she refused"
"Bell Matthews then, she acts"
"Her mother wont let her."
"Why not, Mrs. Porter"
"Her husband doesn't approve"
'How absurd! What's the matter with
Sue Tower"
ooh, her physician has forbidden her
acting, and you're the only one left;
wouldn't ask you for I know you are
very busy, but am letting desperate. y
Miss Gordon said she would do what
she could, and took the play book home
with her, though she told Miss Carmen she
couldn't promise to be a credit to her.
She agreed too to find a man for her WIS.,
avis, and left her friend radiant once
more. ''You don't know what load
you've taken off my mind" the latter
said to Annie, as she went away with Mr..
Howard, forgetting how long he was
holding her hand until Annie coughed.
Miss Gordon told her mother that night
if there was not so great a difference III
their AGES she would think there was
something between them.
But the next day-well, Miss Carmen
said she would have 10 laugh, if she did
not she would have to cry again, it was SO
crushing. 1t reminded her Of the time
she had beautiful portiere embroidered
to rattle for the benefit of some poor mis-
sion, and the minister, who was opposed
to raffies, persuaded her they were wrong.
No one was willing to pay what the por-
.iere was worth, so it ended in her buying
it herself and giving up her Washington
trip that winter Now today the noon
mail brought letter from Annie Gordon,
who wrote to know why in the world she
didn't tell her there was singing in the
part, and asking her if she did not know
that she, Annie, could not sing a note.
And in the same mail came letter from
the brother of Mr.. White, who had been
her stand by all through, saying his
brother had the measles, and so, of
course, would not be able, etc. The the
atricals looked dubious. In che midst Of
her CONSERVATION Mr. Howard arrived on
the scene. She gave him trembling
hand, and was as frightened as could be
lest she should cry. He told her almost
Immediately what he had come to ask.
Il know Pm young" he stammered.
80, nop' she interrupted, II am old. :"
But what followed is theirs, not ours, nor
Mrs. Browns, who said afterward:
"What is the man thinking of? She's old
enough to be his mo, er!' She was not
really, though what if she were if they
loved each other?
AS Howard started to leave at dusk,
after he and Miss Carmen had fully dis
cussed the advantages of Mexico for a
honeymoon and for work, she said to him:
at will be wedding instead of theat-
ricals."
Eyes, and you will play the heroine
after ALL" he answered.
'If you'd like to have ME ask Miss Cor
don''-but she never finished that speech.
William Clyde Fitch in New York
News.