Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-10
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repetition and her cheeks got redder and red
der. Il must know better than you, Rosie!'
"Oh, of course; you do not call IL giving,
but do. You were standing by, suppose,
when he took it? Your eyes We're cast down
and you put your most becoming pout On!
And now that Tom Crichton, with his ten
thousand year, falls i'll love with you and
wants to marry you, you are afraid poor
Geoff Hamilton will show him your photo
graph and talk about your silly letters and
make mischief. You incorrigible little iirt!
1t would serve you right TO be treated as you
have treated others. How many men have
you made fools of, wonders A dozen."
The speaker spoke sarcastically; her hearer
was beginning to cry. The girls were sisters,
both young, both pretty and charming; but
Lefty, the younger, was lovely, brainless
little fiirt. The elder, Rosaind, had plenty
of brains, but scarcely experience enough TO
enable her to use them judiciously. She was
brilliant creature to look at--warn hearted
and impulsive to a fault There was nothing
she would not do or dare for one she loved,
and she dearly loved her bewitching little
sister, and rejoiced with all her heart when
the genial, good looking young squire, Tom
Crichton who came into the neighborhood to
take possession of an unexpected inheritance,
fell in love at first sight with Lefty and pro
posed to her after weeks acquaintance.
But Tom was a quick tempered, jealous
young fellow, and he had already spoken his
mind to Miss Lefty about her love of firta-
ton. She promised to mend her ways, but
it was more than she conld do to keep her
promise when temptation came i'll alluring
guise.
Mireford was garrison town, and one of
the gallant DashShire regiment, Godfrey
Hamilton by name, had quickly succumbed
to the destinations of the younger of the two
daughters of the widowed Mrs. Maitland,
who lived III pretty cottage on the London
road, about half mile or so from Mireford
Ii was in vain that Rosalind warned the
needless young coquette that she was treating
poor young Hamilton disgracefully. But in
good truth the young man was very well able
TO take care of himself. He was not very
deeply wounded, but as soon as Crichton ap-
peare6 upon the scene he made up his mind
TO punish Miss Lefty, If possible, for her tricks
by pretending to be broken hearted and des-
perately jealous.
He was, however, sufficiently in love to he
able to put fair amount Of seriousness into
his reproaches; and when he fatty refused to
give up the photograph Lefty had given him,
and enc or two absurd little notes she had
written to him. and q glove he had purloined,
the silly girl was thoroughly frightened and
firmly persuaded that tom" would hear all
about it and break Off his engagement. Had
Rosalind but known how slightly Hamlton's
heart was touched she would have quickly
laughed Lefty out OF her fright; but when the
girl solennly assured her that Geof was so
much in love and angry and Jealous that
she knew he meant to have his revenge, tho
sensible elder sister forgot that she was not
living in melodramaCic age, and, moreover,
she quite overlooked the fact that Hamilton,
being gentleman, IL was not likely that he
would act if he were a cad.
So, on the whole, things were looking very
serious. when, for the fiftieth time at leasU,
Rosalind tried to make her sister confess
whether she had given Geoff the photograph,
or whether he had taken it from Mrs. Matt
lands album. She had her own opinion
the subject, so it WAS really waste of time to
cross question the naughty little girl, who
was anxious to keep peace between the old
love and the new.
81 think you are very unkind, Rosie, she
said at last, land if YOU do not believe me
how can / expect Tom to do it,
Il do not expect Tom to 90 it! You talk Us
if believing III you were Symnastic feet. 1
know what | should do in Toms place if
another man told me he had photograph Of
the girl ! meant TO marry, and gloves and
thngs"---
"He has only one glove, and no thingsl" in
terrupted Lefty, whimpering. Don't ex-
aggerate; and gave Tom two photographs
one sitting and one standing-and he has
heaps and heaps Of letters"
Il hope the spelling is all right"
u hope 50. He is not much of a speller
himself"
He spelt 'adored' with two DIS the other
day-'My addored one Ii looked so funny
"Nr, Hamilton is away just now, Is he notT
Rosaiind asked presently.
"Nes he went 10 his sisters wedding l
wish il was TO his own"
HE does not live in the barracks, thinlsr
mo; he has rooms in Diamond Crescent,
No Il, and Gerard Townsend hives with him"
About an hour later young lady with n
macintosh en- her arm knocked at tine door
of Il Diamond Crescent. She had evidently
been walking fast. for her cheeks were glow
ing and her eyes were bright
This is AWFUL she said TO herself, as she
heard steps approaching tie door on the IN
side A civil looking woman opened it.
"Are-are The gentlemen at homer the
Lomel an his sister, and he expects me, /
think"
Lob, walk in, ma'am, il You please. Mr.
Townsend told me you were not coming until
tomorrow lie is ont just now, but your
room is quite ready. Have you no luggage,
ma'ami'
The visitor nluttered something about the
station as SIM went into the hall please
show me into sae sitting room" she said; Il
can wait fer ny brother there. No, thank
you; no tea Is this the rooru.'
YES, ma'am. The gentlemen has this BE-
tween them M. Hamilton is coming back
unexpected this evening. He was Jelegraphei
for, us there is SONS talk Of the regiment
leaving at once"
what is this noISei" the visitor asked.
"Rain, ua'am Its thunder shower, !
think 1t always makes that noise on the
roof OF the verandsr Its well you was under
cover, na'sm."
Ecsaind gsve sigh of relief as The door
at last closej behind the lanGlsdy. Now, II
by a stroke Of good fortune can commit NV
felony ana get away before NV brother
comes in-whst an extraordinary thing that
be should be expecting his sister. | suppose
CHANGING at a cabinet photograph on tbs
chimneypiece) that is the man himself. Why,
he must be 40 at least! Now, l wonder where
AZ. Geof keeps his treasuresi In a drawer,
Of course; but which drawer' do rot half
like runmaging among the poor rusn's pos.
sessions, but be brought it on himself
She presently came upon packet nestly
tied up with red ribbon and sealed. She
pnched Z. II evidently contained photo