Wichita eagle., 1888-11-14


tience on a monument Of yourself until
loom up Oh the scene again. And, one last
caution: don't you dare to sit up and worry
about things while I'm gone shall know
1t if you do, SO beware, rash femalel" she
says, and shaking threatening forefnger
at her sister, she departs.
"Well jamie, here I am at lastm Cleo e1-
claims, an hour later, flashing into the cool,
dark room in breathless sort of way, with
her cheeks much deeper in color than when
she left, and pair of wide, oddly excited
eyes did you think I'd been run away
withs Oh, my dear, I've had such an ad-
venturel And. do you see that shoeF' hold
ing out small, slim foot for inspection.
well, it was all on account Of that muddy
shoe 1t has had an adventure, also Just
wait until l put these things down. and I'll
tell you ali about it."
Then putting away her things" she sits
down in very stiff backed chair, and fans
her hot cheeks furiously.
''Well, jamie, do you know the most ro-
mantle incident has occurred this afternoonl
Really, | do actually begin to think there
must have been some one around practicing
black art, whatever that may be. There,
now, don't commence TO lose your patience,
and I'll begin and tell you the whole odd oc-
currence right from the start. | went to the
gallery first, OF course, and gave in my work
and got my money, all of it-three big round
dollars, If YOU please. Then / went to the
market to get something nice for you.
This sounds rather like Mother Hubbard
rhymes.) From there | went over to Mr..
Norton's drug store, and | told him wanted
a flask of his very best wine, and l wanted it
just as cheap IS be could LET me have it, and
do you know-now don't say a word. l
know you are fixing to scold me for my
shameful extravaganza but you needn't,
for haven't got any," she explains, with a
mysterious little smile LET me see where
was II Oh, yesl and do you know, that dear,
kind man gave me splendid flask, with His
compliments to the invalid, and he hoped it
would do her a world of good Yes;
know by that look that you are going to
ask me where it is, and if you'll
just give mo time, I'll make q full
confession Don't run away with the
idea that drank it, though, because / didn't.
As soon as I'd thanked him | rushed out, and
10 and behold you, it had clouded up awfully,
and was beginning to rain right smart, as
the countryman said When l saw that I
really didn't know what to do. OF course
wouldn't have an umbrella That wouldn't
be my luck, You know, and l had so many
little packages that | couldn't hold up my
Clothes and | was in q dreadful dilemma. /
finally decided, though, that the best thing
would be to make a scamper for home, as
fast as my feet would carry me. So l took
fresh grip on all my bundles, and was just
striding along with my most Eliza bethan
like strides, when that most exasperating
Shoe of mine came untied-of course,
would have on those thin, low things That
was in the plot, you sea 1t annoyed me
dreadfully, as you may know, for l just
couldn't set down my many packages right
there III all that slop and mud, so floun-
dered desperately on, with my eyes fixed
on those Topping. bobbing tassels. OF
course, | had no business to be looking
down, but you know how maddening
they are when they come united, and,
somehow, there seemed TO be horrible faS-
cinatiOn about them. | was going wildly
along, breaking my heart, thinking how
muddy my skirts and the tassels were getting
you know these are my grand state occa-
sion shoes" she remarks, looking despairingly
at them-"when somebody came dashing
frantically along, with an umbrella far over
his head, and knocked slap UP against me,
and down went that precious flask and was
shivered into sixteen million piecesl' she
cries, jumping up and striking a tragic atti-
tude.
"Why, what was the matter with the mans
Where were his eves" Janet asks Grossly,
sitting up very straight.
''Oh, lie had them with him, my dear, and
very handsome eyes they were. too. And
when he turned and lifted his umbrella, anc
looked down at me- do you know you might
have knocked me down with feather OF
words to that effect. Now, who do you sup
pose 1t wGs..'
''How should know? From the fuss you
are making about it, he might have been his
ma jesty with hoof and horns, but, Of course,
it wasn't. You know I'm not good at guess
ing, SO go on and tell me-"
E,"Well, it was the original of that negative
that I've been raving over all day." and hav-
ing announced this piece of news, with tell
ing force, Cleo folds her arms and looks
across at Janet.
SIS that so2 Well, WE'LL After that, the
Deluge! By the way, you were in one at the
time / am amazed. 1t was fate, my
dear-it was written Well, amigo on
what did he do, and what did you sayf"
jamie questions in most fiutte-ing state of
interest.
''Say7 II you'll believe me, never said
anything. l couldntl and l shall be ashamed
of myself forever and day, end you'll
blush for me, know, when l tell you that
actually stood there and began to whimper.
Yes, positively, l did, and couldn't help it
either. guess l must have been hysterical,
for | was simply broken hearted to see all
that delicious wine wasted. that was bring
ing home in such triumph. And what did
he do! Wen, the first thing was that. he
stepped q little nearer and held his nice, big
umbrella over me; then be lifted his bat in
the most graceful manner imaginable,
and he said: Ny dear young Lady, I
beg ten thousands pardons; and | ain more
than sorry to have been SO awkward as to
cause this accident What was in the faskF
he asked, CHANGING down. l told him, and
then be fairly insisted on going and getting
another one filed for rue; but OF course I
could not permit that, so when he saw how
much in earnest was be did not urge me
further, but said: Well, at least you'll let
me relieve you Of some Of your packages,
and allow me the pleasure OF seeing you
safely home or some one else may go even
further than did, and knock al your pack
ages out OF your arms
"Well, he was 50 very polite and charming
abr i, and did look so handsome and
sdished at the time, and his beautiful
eyes wore SO eloquent, that, naturally, gave
Ey consent and so he came clear TO my very
doorsteps with me; and he is the very INCEST
gentleman have ever mot. And now, who
do You suppose be is, after suf Cleo de-
dc 10 to hy>ao
''It strikes me that heard that same ques-
sion only a ,,o-,ant 400 end I ba,ieya I