Wichita eagle., 1888-11-09


And wave their hands IN mute farewell
II declare, Matey, you are really cross to-
dayl You snapped quite viciously ct me just
now when / spoke OF your guest, Mr.. Gerard
What is the matter with your
Ny cousin Lilith sat up in the hammock in
which she had been idly swinging for the last
half hour, and glanced curiously at me as she
spoke; it was so unusual, this display of tenn
per on my part, that Liiith was surprised;
how was she to know that at the sound OF
Felix Gerard's name my heart stopped beat.
ing, and / felt as if was suffocating, and. if
l spoke sharply, it was only that she might
no: guess how I suferedl
There is nothing the matter with me-
I said, in answer to her question II feel
tired. l am going to my room. / shall take
8 nap and get rid Of my temper before din
ner."
l lett her as spoke. But when gained the
seclusion OF my own room locked the door,
and instead OF preparing for nap, gave way
to my bitter misery.
Could it be possible that 1t was only
yesterday that Felix Gerard had asked me TO
be his wife-I, an orphan and pennileSS, de-
pendent on the bounty of my kind aunt.
while he was rich and handsome, lit mate
for the greatest lady in the landf No wonder
that my happiness seemed too great TO last.
felt as if heaven had suddenly opened its
portals. Oh, the rapture Of that moment,
when his dear arms were about me, and l
felt his lips touch mine!
u shall speak to your aunt tomorrow.
little one," said be. ''I have something to
tell you both about myself, something you
ought to know; but for this one day We viii
keep our secret, sweetheart"
What happy day it vast Think-only
one day out of lifetime; one day of happi-
ness, TO compensate for life of misery
We spent the afternoon on the water, re-
turning in time for dinner As we said good
night ne took me in his arms and kissed me-
Dearest little woman, you have made me
very happy, and l win try hard to make
your future life happy one. God bless my
own darling! Good night"
The next morning, when / awoke, I won
dered for a moment what had happened TO
make me so intensely happy. 1 remembered,
and jumping quickly out of bed, began my
toilet; no foreboding of sorrow came to me
then.
Our letters were laid near the plates at
breakfast, and when l entered the dining
room, / noticed there was one for Felix. lie
came in later, and when he saw the letter he
started, opened it, and when he read the
color left his face, and he looked Like man
suddenly bereft of life. He recovered HIM
self, and making an excuse left the room
My breakfast remained untouched: felt
that he was in trouble OF some kind, but
what
An hour later, note was brought me by
one of the maids; it was from Felix:
MATgY-I am In the summer house at the cor
ner of the lane WIN you come to me when yea
receive thisy Something has happened l can
say no more till see you. FELTx.
snatched up garden hat that was in the
hall, and ran, instead of walked, until caIne
to where my darling waited Without giving
him time to speak, l said:
''Oh, Felix, what is it, / saw your face
when you read that hateful letter at break
fast. and l know that something is wrong;
have you lost any money!
"Would to God that were ALL No, dear;
my money is quite safe; but, OIL Matey,
do not know how to tell You tho truth"
whatever it is, tell me at once; l can bear
anything but suspense"
''You remember that yesterday / said
had something to tell you about myself
! Cu ACfCi 6u~ooSR N-@-~S b~A 6NSA A4{e~@
ried"
staggered back.
''Marriedi And you dared ask me to be
your wife"
''For Gods sake, little one, do not look at
me like thati am not q scoundrel Thought
1 was free to win you, darling; you don't sup
pose would have spoken TO you, had it been
o.herwise9"
''Then your wife ia deadF
"For four years believed so, but the letter
/ received this morning Is from her, saying
she is alive, the news OF her death being
mistake. But let me tell you the story Of my
folly, Matey. Eight years ago, when / was
q lad of 20, married G pretty bat ignorant
girl Too soon discovered that she was adj
dicted to drink, and when we had been but
two years married was compelled TO sepa-
rate from her. Through my lawyer / made
over part Of my income for her support and
went abroad Two years later read Of her
death In the papers. l never told any one OF
NY marriage, end bed made up M mind 70
live single he rest u my lie; bu. your sweet
face, little woman, changed 81 my resolutions
md oucc more began TO build fanc1ful pic
lures Of ny futcre-you, darling, being the
chief fgure In all Oh, Matey, it Is SO hard
% give it all up"
At sight Of his anguish my own pain ID
pu. my hand gently On fsis bowed
head
TEL me, Felix, what tho letter szyA"
'Here-read for yourself
dare say you were glad TO hear Of ny .ea,h. |
ut ara still olive l. was another woarao who /
lid, and they gave her ny name through rss |
axe: when got well id DO. cars 70 oa-T~c. /
be mistake I hare bsen II England for sos tass /
wo years, and srn now ooEalas hoEsa ] an Eli |
vour wife, cv1a though you do desszt Ens-
AszEE GEzAEo.
The writing was that OF an u1ei1cated lc--
OF, and pitisd my poor boy mere taaa ever.
had 10 time then 70 thsnk q r1yselE
"sla.ey, dear, shau leave hero today-I
must not remain longer; bet how CD par.
rom youl oa, darling, perhaps II the yaaxs
o coE-se, when you have forgo.sea .he p&in
4 tbs time, soIos other Ioel better than I
nay win you. but nc oSssr caa ioyo yea
esse-. or as well
no other nan VIII ever wi1 re ] gsvs |
ou Gil the lore ] had % gsve, end | 81 Dcs
ne to change. ] shall 20 On iovtng you 70
10 cid CT Life God grant it nay be shoxs
1ei'
Mater, dear Che, can you e~r fa-giTs
~ for bringing this sorrow ito yozr ycz1S
fep
~Hrzh, Felix II u nos yozr .sa,;; Go
q blame y0us dear.'
NY precioos gtrIss Tssa 10 pressed .
izs On ny forehead, and iets ia
! remained there fer hozrx. bat q. lss3
roossn nyeg asd isrs tie suzEs~ ncszsa
II cocEin was tn tie hammock, on tbs Lawn. !
I'd called rss. sarzsG mechanically, SID