Wichita eagle., 1888-09-08
THE FATE OF A FLIRT.

wide, shattered opening in the side of this
dismal object the adventurous Miss Rosa
Inond FraLl had found her way TO stair
leading to the deck, where she secured a seat
and abandoned herself 10 the luxury of q day
dream
This no doubt took color from the inspiring
view of grand blue ocean and high filed sun
set clouds At any rate, its spell claimed her
through q long period Of half oblivion, for
when at last she started UP, It was growing
dark. Desperately angry with herself, and
desperately afraid, she hurried down the
stairway, and on through the dark hold,
shuddering at the touch Of the rolling sea-
weed and green slime which carTeted the
floor Fortunately. she reached the opening
without slipping. But her troubles were far
from over. for when, with sigh Of relief,
She sprang out upon the dry sand, she stood
face to face with--a mani
''Ohr' cried Mss Eosamond, family, draw
ngback-
''Pardon rne-llo YOU belong to the hotelT'
This question came out of the darkness and
the man Ia 1t, no doubt; at any rate, 1T was
well done, judging from It's effect on the
young lady.
Eyes" she answered, with hesitation, but
as If treasured ''Oh, how late it is!' she
almost whispered, looking about in distress.
a. forgot nyself-forget where 1 was"
II was passing by and saw you" the man
rejoined in u pleasing, gentle voice. II
thought you had forgotten where you were,
and stopped-to see if-nay see you to
the hoteli It is hardly safe for you to go
alone"
Miss Rosarond was now quite bewildered
and did not answer at once. 1t was sppar-
ent, even in the dark, that she felt confidence
in this unknown man; but she seemed per-
picked with many doubts.
~ thank you,n she said, graciously, in a
moment, but I'm afraid that would-that
would be worse than going alone, since we
are-since we7-
THAT Is true" be quickly followed her;
but still II must not leave you 70 go alone.
VIII you walk On and permit me 10 follow
behind and see that yen come TO no harrnE'
Miss Rosamond Fral was quite overcome
by gratitude at this proposal-gratitude,
doubtless intensified by every recurring
thought of the two miles of deserted beach
stretching gloomIly between them and the
hotel She uttered thanks which in calnler
moments she might have considered often
sive and hurried on-the man following at
convenient distance Nothing more fornid-
able was encountered during the hurried
walk than drunken sailor, WHO leered at
her very unsteadIIy as he reeled past, but
she felt none the less glad Of the sense Of pro-
lection afforded her by the SILENT considarate
man who walked behind.
The smoking room Of the modest hotel ct
the modest seaside resort Of EasUport-the
same hotel whose shelter had been regained
by Hiss Bosamond Fral the night before
Of
OF her unknown escort-this smoking room
was the scene, next uoeaing, OF an unexpected
meeting of two friends, both Of them men Of
the world in q sense, but only one Of them
really n man Of wealth and fashion, and the
other man only Of aspirations and ideas. Il
wes the latter, Charles Lee by name, who
gave expression TO surprise when they en-
courtered each other.
Il never expected to see you in this out OF
the way place" he exclaimed when did
you leave town.
~ esterday. Your letter brought me-"
They lighted cigars and seated themselves,
AMI presently Mr.. Talcot Lor1e was telling
the story of an adventure, not Vet day old,
in which Miss Rosamond Frail had taken
part. He tod it with animation, and told it
well, not scrupling TO exaggerace L little for
the sake of effect.
That was capital idea,n he declared,
confidently-''Iny proposing TO walk behind
in that way 1t won her: 1 could see IL
She's no doubt as curious to See le as l am
10 see her"
"Don't be too sure
"Iave you any idea who she isF'
alt must have been Miss Rosamoud Frail"
'And who is she!'
"a Savannah girl 1met her in Baltimore
last WINTER
You have tie start, but I'll beat you at
the finish, Old man"
Lee smiled uuconcernedly. ''The field is
open" he said, rising and looking through
the window toward the sea. Here, Tai
cotn he called a moment Later, there sic
goes now"
by JoveI Lee. she's a goddess.
Who are those ugly Old ladies with herr
Her mother and aunt"
"W hy-heilo the one in the lavender gown
is Mrs. Potts know her well How very
fortUnate-she can present me"
THAT may or may not be in your favor.
have an idea that they didn't altogether ap-
prove of each other-tLa9 youns lady and
her aunt"
Be this as Il may, she would and did servo
to enroll Mr.. Talcott Lorne among the &C
quaiItanceS of this charming Savannah girl
l borrow my adjective from Mr.. LorI,e hiE,-
sell, who maintained that she was more than
charming. He claimed to be fascinated from
TIE first, and certainly made every effort 10
fascl-ate. The time soon came when Miss
Rosamond was hardly safe from his polite in
trusion outside of her own private apart
nIents. The ugly Mrs Potts (who, under
stand, was Of hEickerbocker e1traction) took
4 lively interest in these proceedings, ex-
bcrting her niece 10 be less shy, ard warning
her 10 be more careful by turns. He was "a
dreadful dirt she declared, but then he was
a. extraordinary catch and il would not
do 10 De swayed by Elere personal feelings in
such 4 case.
III you know what You are about, you'll
use every effort,n she said i.npresSively.
TO which Miss Rosanond only made re-
1cinder by looking s1srply through the wiz
dow and reu2arAing, ''Auns Agatha, I am
shockean
HRS. Frau was afraid, but as Mrs. Ports
decidedly favored it, and she herself was
pleased AZ the thought OF such al adventure,
Miss RoS2nond week or two later accepted
the urgent invitation OF her persistent ad-
r,i-s- 10 sail cut with him to TIE lishtsL;p,
anchored on the shoals fifteen miles cut to
Iss FROM Eastpor.. The acceptance OF such
II unusual proposal, while X confirmed
to-ne in tho belief that the two elder women
Eere throwing the younger at his head, and
that the Younger WAS already won, 70 Lees
mind, probably meant simply that Mrs. Fral
was weak. Mrs Potts obstinate and Miss
Rosamond unfathomable-and, yes little