Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-16
A DYNAMITE STORY.

Papa, who Is the stranger saw In the
/ library Just nowf He was talking to your
secretary, Mr.. Winchen, as if he were quite
at home" said Daisy Clyburne, winding one
plump, white arm around her fathers neck,
as she perched herself on the arm Of his
chair.
Those who knew Silas Clyburne only as a
business man, president Of several railroads,
/ director in score Of other corporations and
shareholder in every paying concern in the
state, would have been amazed TO see how
easily this fragile girl bent to her viii the
stony hearted, iron handed man
.'His name is Osborne Palmer, replied the
elder Clyburne, gazing affsctionately a. his
idol
ii didn't ask you what his name Is; I ask,
who Is he3 And is that the way you dare to
answer my questions, GrF' and as she spoke
Daisy piayfully pinched one Of his ears.
"Ouch! You little inquisitive torment
Well, to be explicit, Mr.. Palmer is to be one
of my under secretaries he is toto assist
Mr.. WineheH."
Come. Seome, siri that hesitation shows
that you ere trying to hide something; I
want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth"
perhaps you remember that a few weeks
ago you and your mother e1acted from me a
promise that would never again, under any
circumstances, open tho packages which
might come to me by mail or express"
''Of course we did II those wretches
would send you q dynamite bomb once. they
might do il more successfully again; It was
by mere chance that the thing was out Of
order and did not blow Us all up" replied
Daisy, with shudder.
Not one Of the servants has courage
enough to do it for ne; Mr. Winchell has q
family, and since our recent experience he
has no taste for the task; SO have employed
this young Palmer, whose special business it
viii be to open my parcels"
"Oh, papa, why should he take the risk Of
his lifei he is 500 young, maybe he has a
motherF'
mo, nor sister, nor any near relative. He
Is highly educated and wen born, but being
unfortunate in business, and therefore Tilted
by heartless girl, he resolved TO put an end
to an unhappy lie. He procured quantity
OF laudanum, but decided that that was un-
certain, and so shot himself In the head
Either his hand swerved or his aim was IN
certain, for the wGind proved TO be only
serious, not fatal He was taken to hospi-
tai, and as the letter he had written for post
norton purposes proved that the shooting
was Intentional, he was IN danger Of arrest
and trial for attempted self murder.
Learning of the affair, was struck with
an idea and so used my influence in his be-
half, and there was no arrest he placed no
value on his life, and so readily accepted the
position offered him He came the very
day after You and your mother went to your
grandmothers to spend Thanksgiving, and
Mr.. Ninchell tells me that he is Of great as
sistance to him, especially in nv large
foreign correspondence. BE is a gentleman
born, so he will live with Us as a msmber OF
our family, and want you to give your
cousin Bertha hint that while she is with
Us we hope she will be courteous to him. I
am very fond of Bertha, my dear, but can
see that she is just the least bit snobbish-
like her father. Obed Jenness is an inbred
snobln
The famous Kilkenny cats might well have
been named Silas Clyburne and Obed Jen-
ness, for these two men were continually
fighting, tooth and nail II one could thwart
a scheme Of the other it was rare sport to
him, but retaliation was sure to come in some
heart searching way. As they had married
sisters and there WA constant intercourse be-
tween their wives and daughters, they out
wardly maintained an armed neutrality.
Goodness gracious, Daisy, do you know
wSo Uncle Silas has in his employ novT"
cried Bertha Jennes to her cousin when she,
too, had seen the young package opener.
"Yes. he told me ell about him just few
moments ago. Poor fellow! he has 70
mantle and sad history" replied Daisy end
then went On to relate what We already know
about Osborne Palmer.
Bertha listened assentively with peculiar
smile lowering around her thin, soulless lips,
and when che story was concluded she said
with q shrug Of her shoulders, Every 70
mantle, admit, but Whist fool he was"
"Oh, no, Berthai Doubtless his troubles
had temporarily turned his brain, yet surely
he is to be pitied."
II am not 50 sure that be IL not now-but
tell me, Daisy, did you ever hear me speak
Of young cavalier had who used to deiugs
me with rare roses and choice bonbons until
his fortune vanished and then shovered On
me tender verses Of his own competition
'.Oh, yes, and bow envied you for having
q real poet at your feess But where il he
uowi Does be still send You poensf'
"Dogguel yoa mean! No. I hope not. In
Osborne Palmer, your fathers clerk. you b.
hold the MANI
mol Not really4 IEt that odds And
now that be has come to LIE again. SO TO
speak, the lovely ROMANCE viii begin all over
again said Daisy, with faint shade OF re-
grst IN her voice.
Each Of these cousins had something thu
other lacked; Bertha was one Of a hrgs
family, and how Daisy wished that she too
might have one or two brothers, or one or
two dear little nidgets Of sisters But
Bertha regarded these younger ones as chan
nels where large share OF her fathers money
must 50, while Daisy was the sole and idol
izad heir in her hone.
Then. too, Bertha had 30 many lovers ard
Daisy so few, To be sure. the former, ever
eager for attention. met them fully bali way,
while the modest little flower w1tted quietly
for notice or attention
OF course il was not now sc al surprising
that Osborne Palmer was soon made quite ct
home in the Clyburne mansion He and
Bertha bad one day q long and confidential
conversation. and after that there was &c
restraint IN their Intercourse
II, however. he wrote any more verses On
his ladys sye:ida Bertha neither spoke Of nor
exhibited them.
About this tina there appeared In the social
armament where the Clyburnes sparSied
new star Of great magnitude. neither more
ror less than . genuine sprig Of British
aristoracy; be was poor, to Be sure, but b
was unmarried, and more than one managing I
namna was quiss ready TO exchange he1 1
daughters dacan tor . share o. his lord /
ships ttla
And SIlas Ciyhnrne. as ambitioos IS Lu- |
citer, made up his mind that i. shoud not oe