Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-13
TOO LATE.

1t at all" The speaker was a tall, graceful
girl Of about 90, with a clear cut, beautiful
face, grave, sweet eyes of deep hazel, broad,
white brow, and waving brown hair. "What
can he meanr
1t was the twentieth time, at least, that
Florence Grahame had repeated these words
during the past fifteen minutes, and she was
no nearer the solution of the matter which
puzzled her than she had been before. Sud
denly she arose from her seat by the window
OF the pretty sitting room and went into the
room adjoining, where little woman Of 30
or thereabout, with large, round blue eyes
and fluffy yellow hair, was quietly sewing.
Grace" she said, addressing the little
woman before her, please read this and
favor me with your opinion as to its mean
ing l must confess that it is entirely be-
yond my powers of comprehension"
Grace, or Mrs. Harding, was Florence Ora
hane's sister and nine years her senior; but
being childish in disposition she was accus-
toned to defer to Florence and Charles Hard
ing, her husband, in everything. 1t was
very seldom that she was consulted on sub
ject Of any Importance, and consequently
she fully appreciated this opportunity of dis
playing her wisdom. She took up the letter
which Florence had placed OH the table at her
side, and this is what she read:
MISS GRAHAME-After the avowal you have
made, which, pardon me If l say think might
have been made some time ago with more Justice
TO me, can do nothing but release you from
engagement which am heartily sorry ex-
listed. Very truly, JOHN MAcoMBER.
sWellT' said Florence, impatiently.
when did you receive this exceedingly
strange epistlef' asked her sister,
about twenty minutes ago, and can as
sure you that am utterly unable to account
for its meaning"
Have you quarreledF' asked Grace
''No; there has not been the slightest dis
agreement between US"
Florence. John Macomber is a sensible
man. He would not act in this manner with
out some cause"
Little Mrs. Harding took up the letter again
and read it through.
what does he mean by saving that you
have made an avowalr she asked.
THAT is just the question | was endeavor-
ing to answer when l asked for your assist
ance," answered Florence.
Charlie viii understand it, am sure,n
said Grace. I'VE win ask him when he
comes home this evening"
eve viii do nothing Of the kind" replied
the meanings of pulling epistlcs is doubtless
unlimited, but have no desire to let every
one know that | have been Tilted" And
with these words she turned and walked to
the window on the opposite side of the room
"Florencer'
"Well, Grace, what have l said to shock
your Was it my remark in reference to
Charlieg'
IL i
answered Mrs Harding, though l am sorry
you will not allow me to tell him about this
letter, as | am sure be would understand it,n
she added with wifeIy pride II was sur
prised TO hear you say that you had been
Tilted"
II suppose that is the correct word"
AZ don't believe that you suppose anything
of the kind, and if you do you are very fool
ISL"
"What else is there left for me to thinkr'
said Florence, turning suddenly. HE has
left me in a manner which justifes me in
thinking So"
Florence" said Mrs. Harding, rising and
going over to her sister who was standing by
the window with troubled eyes and cold,
hard expression on her face Florence,
don't you think some one may have written
John Macomber letter in your name ask
ing him to release you from your engage
mentln
at is lust possible" said the girl slowly.
at is more than possible; it is probable.
At least you should give him the benefit of
the doubt. | am certain that he loves you
devotedly, and he would not have deserted
you in this manner without some reason"
But who could have written him such a
letter as you speak Of?
'Sorne one who desired to separate you
two Florence, in his lette- John refers to
On avownl which he says you have made.
He certainly would not have done so had he
not been under the impression that you had
made it. That avowal caused him to write
this letter. You say that You have not writ
ten to him; then il is clear some one else hss
written in your name"
"You are right, Grace It is strange that
did not think of that before. Some one has
endeavored to part us, and l fear has Sue
ceededn
''Why' You have only TO show this note to
John, and ali will be we'll"
"a very easy method Of settling the affair,
if it were only possible. Unfortunately Mr.
Macomber left the village this evening"
That is unfortunate. Who told youl"
1.-The boy who brought me this letter. 1
thought when he handed it to me that it was
a note explaining the suddenness of his de-
partura"
Perhaps be left his address with some of
his friends"
He has very few friends in the village,
and it is OF likely that be would have ac-
euainted any of them with his plans, leaving
hurriedly as be did"
Never mind. / am sure that you will
hear something from him soon"
Mrs Harding had gone back to her seat
and resumed her sewing. Presently she said,
cheerily:
Florence, you must take your walk IS
usual this evening. You must not think of
this affair too much, or when John comes
bnck he will find that you have lost sill of
your color
He viii never come back" answered the
girl. Il feel it know it
She went slowly TO her room, and taking
photograph from a drawer looked at it ten
derby and sadly. 1t was the face of a very
handsome man; and as her eyes dwelt on the
noble brow and proud mouth, sob after sob
shook her form, and she cried aloud in the
bitterness of pain:
''Oht John, John, have you gone out of my
life foreveri"
Two years passed-years fraucht with sor-
row for Florence Grahane Death had come
into the Harding household and robbed it of
It's stay and support-Charles Harding.
Grace, overcome with grief, after her hus-
bands death had fallen into decline. and
soon She too, was gone, leaving Florence
alone
Oh ,-,s ,,,xr eyry,fovaI 49,