Wichita eagle., 1888-07-21
INTERCEPTED LETTERS.

from Mrs. Katherine Barton 70 William Win
May IA, 1887.
Nv Dear Wili-Your letter fills me with
various and conflicting emotions, but what
ever may be my Utmost feelings In regard to
yourself, alasl am not at present free to re-
turn your passion Do not think me insensi-
BILE to the honest love you offer me, or Judge
me harshly until you have heard what have
to say. 1t is necessary for me to reveal to
YOU the wretched story OF my life, which has
thus far remained unknown to most of my
scouaintances, and l do so in full confidence
that my secret is absolutely safe with you
First Of all | am not q widow, as you sup
pose. NV husband, Edward Barton, is still
living, and we are separated by no legal
measures An orphan ever since can re-
infatuated at IL with man many
years my senior, married him contrary to
the advice and wishes OF my guardian Al
most before tho honeymoon was over my
happiness was shattered. l discovered the
mans real character, and my dream OF love
was followed by rude awakening. For, VIII
dear the man had married was drunk
ard, a profigate, who expected by means OF
my small fortune to satisfy those tastes and
desires which be himself had no money to
crafty. After brief a very brief, period
Of married life, gave him sum OF money
on condition that he would keep away from
me. and never trouble me again This hap
pened three years ago. Since then never
have seen him. but have heard that he is In
Europe / do not think he will ever come
near me egain-he is too much of coward
and knows how | despise him-but OF course
during his lifetime l cannot marry again,
however much might be tempted TO do so.
The moment l suspected you were falling in
love with me did all ! could to warn you
and discourage you. You would not heed
my warnings, and now that this avowal has
come, we must never meet again You have
money and leisure-for your own sake as
we'll as mine go. travel, and arnusei yourself
and never think me again as your wife. II
this parting is hard for you it is doubly so
for me, for you are one Of the few persons in
the world | feel l can trust, and the loss of
your companionship viii make great gap
in my life Fain would frame this letter in
more tender language. but would it make
the parting easierl Farewell, forever
KATHERINE
] leave here tomorrow. Do not seek to
follow ma
from Miss Charlotte Mcnvaine to Hiss Susan
Bascom.
On BOARD r. NJ. S. PLAroNIC, [
AT SEA. May 90, 1887. !
Nv Dearest Sue-I haven't been i'll q
minute, and we are having beautiful trip so
far, though we left New York in such a storm
that it seemed as though nature was crying
with US and our friends at our parting. Dame
Natures tears are very fresh, though-no salt
about them-so that rather spells the smile
Fancy fresh water tearl Poor mamma has
not been SO lucky as 1 in escaping seasick-
ness She succumbed almost before we
passed Sandy Hook, and has been a perfect
wreck ever since. l haven't missed a meal,
and the captain says l arm one Of the best
sailors he ever saw. But l guess he says that
to every one. He is q dear old Scotchrnan
with red hair and beard, full of fun, and
though be is rather rough in looks he Is very
good natured and polite to everybody, and is
a great favorite IN consequence. Right OPP
posite to me at table sits an awfuliy hand
some Young man, With most interesting
face. The captain introduced him to me as
Mr.. Winthrop, Of New York. He is an aw-
fully nice fellow, about "a years oid-just
right for me-thoroQghiy educated and well
read. He dresses in the best Of taste, too,
and isn't bit Of a dude. / hate dudesl
There were two Of them ct our table the first
meal, but they haven't been there since. l
saw one of them ON deck this morning look
Ing as though he had BEEN drawn through Q
knot hole.
NARA
We had quite gale yesterday at least I
should cali 1t 50, but tho captain only laughed
when / expressed my opinion l didn't miss
. meal. but did feel little queer in the
afternoon. That was only because ate too
much at luncheon though Mr.. Winthrop
has been awfuIly good to mamma Poor old
kdyi She has been SO sick she could hardly
move from the stateroon to her deck chair.
He insisted on making her walk with him
this morning, up and down the deck SO that
be fairly tired her out Then she had little
noose and woke up really hungry. He Is a
trump, but doesn't seem to care much about
making friends or meeting people He seems
10 be kind of down in the mouth, but guess
FIJI get at him bsfore this voyage ia over.
MAY ~
. We've been having very smooth sea and
lair weather, and everything is simply lovely
moonlight nights and dancing on the deck
md all that sort Of thing-it is awfully TO
mantle and jolly. had a long talk and walk
with him this morning. he has the most
fascinating dark brown eyes you ever saw,
and when he looks straight at you it seems as
though he could read your very soul He
WON'T talk much about hiInself-says the sub
iect is not inspiring The dudes have re-
covered the;r health.
MAY q.
haven't written anything for several
dayI Things have been SO lively, even in
this slow place, that haven't had time. To
murow we ought TO be st Queenstown VII
tthss Is his 6sss mama, has been TOO charming
for anything If be should propose-pshaw'
idea Of it. But IL be should don't know
what usn.aa would sag. .'Hs I-weili would
mot hssisats very hong.
May IS
Hoorayt Land at hss, Il seems awfully
rood to see something really green again
Ee'ye poo up with the dhsdes SO long. When
Iwoan up shis morning could see from, my
birth Mat we were passing along the coast
Of Ireland. and by tho tame finish this We
shall Be "a Oueeostown harbor. We ahaI
,.rd in Liverpool to-morrow morning. A
nu,nher OF or fellow companions viii lssvs
MS ne Queenstown, the two dudes among
them. / think could have 'caughs on" C
one of them if had wanted to. They say
he has loads of money, but, bail De made
me tired, Tomorrow We part forever. per
haps; that is, Win and And be has moi
yet declared himself don't know why
should think he means to; perhaps only be
cause / want so much be should he maj
be waiting for the last night on board Well
he'll get chance tonight l VIII writ
ron aGlp from hrerpool Mwt ciees thi