Wichita eagle., 1888-02-22
AN ELOPEMENT.

winning her. Mr.. Jack Minturn and Mr.
Bob Brandow were the only ones who
rode to hounds, and as Miss Mamie was
an enthusiastic follower Of the Willow
Brook pack, her friends concluded and
quite correctly as it proved, that when she
made her choice she would become either
Mrs. Minturn or Mrs. BRANDON. Those
who took the trouble to form an opinion
as to which of the two gentlemen it would
be, said Jack would undoubtedly be the
faVorite one. He was the handSomer,
rode, if anything, trifie better than bis
rival, and during the fall of 1855 was
temporarily master of the foxhounds,
hunting the pack with great skill. More
over, he was more of ladies' man, and
quite as well fixed as Bob financially.
But at the close of the autumn season OF
1888 Miss Nannie's engagement to Bob
was announced. The following fall the
gentleman built a number of extensions
and additions TO his little hunting box,
reconstructed his stables, bought some
new hunters, and for two years he and
Miss Mamie, now Mrs BRANDON, hunted
even more enthusiastically than before
their marriage.
Jack Minturn went to south France for
friends that he had long wished to try
some hunting there. and now he had an
excellent opportunity. His friends smiled
Some even ventured to openly poke fun
al him. When the Willow Brook club
met at Delm0nico's, in the midwinter Of
1856, to elect officers for the ensuing
year, it was found that Mr.. Bob BRANDON
and another gentleman had set their
hearts upon being master of the fox
hounds, and furthermore it was discov-
cred that each felt his claim to be of such
a nature that in case of his opponents
election, be (the defeated candidate) had
but one course To pursue-to resign. The
position was decidedly awkward, espcci-
ally rs the club was evenly divided about
the rival candidates. i serious break
was imminent
Now it so happened that Jack Minturn
arrived home i'll New York from his tenn
pOrary soJourn abroad on the very day OF
the Willow Brook elections and, dropping
into Delmonico'S after several Intellectual
ballots had been taken, was bounced upon
by the contcnding factions as a compro-
mise candidate. He admitted that his
hunters were on the way across the
ocean, and that he intended to hunt dur
ing the coming year, protested that he
could not think of such an honor as the
title of master Of the foxhounds. and was
unanimously elected in the midst of his
prOteStatIOnS. He, of course. accepted
And so it came TO pass that when the
frost got out of the ground Jack Min
turn was not only an active member of
the Willow Brook, but was handling the
neck.
Bob felt not n particle of resentment.
md was glad TO see him hunting again.
Mrs. BRANDON was delighted to see her
old friend back. She chided him prettilv
for having deserted the Willow Brook for
so long, utterly ignoring the commonly
conceded cause of his deSe-tion, told him
with innocence amuSingly earnest how
the pack had been too fast and too slow
in his absence. and from the beginning
treated him quite as cordially as if she
had not been the cause of his two years
exile.
Jack Minturn became very attentive to
Mrs Brandow. 1t was quite natural. He
WAS master of the hounds; she was probe
bly, the best lady rider in the club; facts
which in themselves led TO certain courte-
sizes or his part. AS time went on he be-
came quite devoted, and she, to say the
least, hid not discourage him.
AZ the season advanced, Bob became.
not jealOus-nobOdy is jealous nowadays
but a little uncomfortable. OF course.
he cared nothing about il himself He
would not have given it a second thought
had II not been for outsiders: he feared
th)y were enjoying mental chuckles ut
hB expense. This was the way Bob
argued in the spring. BY fall he was
ready to admit that he did care. HIS
views Oh the subject had become more
positive, until he had reached a state Of
mind best described as volcanic Mrs
BIandOw may or may not have been
aware OF his mental perturbation. She
was young. very young, having been mar
risd before she WAS quite ont of her teens.
one afternoon late i'll October Mr. and
Ms. Bob BrandOw stood on the veranda
of their hunting box. waiting for the
horses To be brought around. Mrs. Bran
dew's dainty form never looked daintier
r.tan when incascd III brown habit, her
checks w,re already colored 10y the sharp
autumn air, her deep blue eyes spanked
in saticipation Of the afternoons sport.
Altogether she made a very pretty piCt-
ure, but Bob was cvideutlyIn no MOOD
TO enjoy il. He passed up and down with
stride and closely knit brow,
humping his boot top with his crop at
every step, in total disregard OF the pol
ish so laboriously bestowed upon the I'M
top by the stable boy.
"kicrnoy tells me- he said finally
to 4 Stardstill before his wife. |
''th&: you have ordered Lord Rotnwell's |
shoes changed to-morrow without fail, |
and he said something about Minturn's |
riding him on Thursday
Mrs. Brandow Strengthened ND. She |
had been sitting on the veranda rail. an |
with Il determined tightening of her prettv |
lips, which was little in keeping with he- |
mild, almost careless tone. said, looking
straight at her husband:
"Wek"'
''Well%' he repeated. II don't see why
you shouid supply Nuturn with horses.
If he can't run the pack with the horses
he has let him take one OF the whips |
mounts or get horses enough To have
spare one when he needs it. don't SEE
why We should forever be placing our
stable NJ his disposal. I'm tired-of it,
and the speaker began 20 punish his boo.
top again.
Ibid you wish 70 use Lord Rothwcil |
On ThurSdaysn asked his wife calmly.
"Ot course not" was the re1ly. in |
tones of disgust. 81 don't care ANYTHING
about the horse Its this. everlasting
taking trouble for Minturn that | object
TO. Its MHturn this, Minturu THAI
until I'm tired of it.. You know very well
row attentive he was TO Sou before We
we're married tNrs. Brandow's cheeks
,ecame shade roster, and her eyes lost
or a moment their sieadlnessl. and |
link its decidedly bad for him 10 be al
says at your side. and decidedly bad
orrn for you 10 encourage him. You had
nnr chnice and Could haNe elnSrn him Il |