Wichita eagle., 1888-11-06
A MUTE FAREWELL.
GlItters the dew and shines the river


and wave their hands In mute farewell
81 declare. Matey, you are really cross to-
day! You snapped quite viciously at me just
now when | spoke Of your guest, Mr.. Gerard
/ What is the matter with your
Ny cousin Lilith sat up in the hammock in
which she had been idly swinging for the last
half hour, and glanced curiously at me as she
spoke it was so unusual, this display of tenn
per on my part, that Lilith was surprised;
how was she to know that at the sound OF
Felix Gerard's name my heart stopped beat
ing, and felt as if was suffocating, and, II
| spoke sharply, it was only that she might
not guess how l suffered
There is nothing the matter with me"
I said, in answer to her question. 81 feel
tired. l am going to my room. shall take
3 nap and get rid Of my temper before din
! ner."
l LETT her as spoke. But when gained the
secluson of my own room locked the door,
and instead of preparing for nap, gave way
to my bitter misery.
Could it be possible that it was only
/ yesterday that Felix Gerard had asked me to
be bis wlfe-I, an orphan and penniless, de
pendent on the bounty Of my kind aunt,
while he was rich and handsome, fit mate
! for the greatest lady in the land7 No wonder
that my happiness seemed too great to last.
/ | felt as if heaven had suddenly opened its
| portals. Oh, the rapture Of that moment,
when his dear arms were about me, and
felt his lips touch mine!
~ shall speak to your aunt tomorrow,
little one," said he. 81 have something to
tell you both about myself, something you
ought to know; but for this one day we will
/ keep our secret. sweetheart
! What happy day it was! Think-only
one day out Of a lifetime; one day OF happi-
ness, to compensate for life of misery!
/ We spent the afternoon on the water, re-
turning in time for dinner. AS we said good
night, ne took me in his arms and kissed me-
Dearest little woman, you have made me
very happy, and l will try hard to make
your future life happy one God bless my
own darling! Good night"
The next morning, when 1 awoke, won
dered for a moment what had happened to
make me SO intensely happy. remembered,
and jumping quickly out Of bed, began my
toilet; no foreboding of sorrow came to me
then.
Our letters were laid near the plates at
breakfast, and when / entered the dining
room, noticed there was one for Felix. He
came in later, and when he saw the letter he
started, opened it, and when he read the
color left his face, and he looked like man
suddenly bereft Of life. He recovered him
self, and making an excuse left the room
My breakfast remained untouched: felt
that no was in trouble of some kind, but
whatl
An hour later, note was brought me by
one of the maids; it was from Felix:
MATEY-l am in the summer house at the cor
ner OF the lane Will you come to me when you
receive this9 Something has happened l can
say no more till see you FELIX.
l snatched up garden hat that was in tho
hall. and ran, instead of walked, until came
to where my darling waited. Without giving
him time to speak, said:
''Oh, Felix, what is itl I saw your face
when you read that hateful letter at break
fast, and 1 know that something is wrong;
have you lost any money!
Would to God that were ALL No, dear;
my money is quite safe; but, obi Matey,
do not know how to tell you the truth"
Whatever it is, tell me Ut once; can bear
anything but suspense"
you remember that yesterday said
had something to tell you about myself.
You never guessed that / had been mar
riedn
l staggered back.
Married! And you dared ask me to be
your wife,"
''For Gods sake, little one, do not look at
mo like thatl am not scoundrel. thought
was free to win you, darling you don't sup
pose would have spoken to you, had it been
o.berwisef"
Then your wife is deadr'
'For four years believed so, but the letter
I received this morning is from her, saying
she is alive. the news of her death being
mistake. But let me tell you the story of my
folly, Matey. Eight years ago, when l was
a lad of 60, married pretty but ignorant
girl Too soon discovered that she was ad-
dicted to drink, and when we had been but
two years married l was compelled to sepa-
rate from her. Through my lawyer / made
over part of my income for her support and
went abroad. Two years later read of her
death in tie papers. I never told any one OF
my marriage, and had made up my mind to
live single the rest of my life; but your sweet
face, little woman, changed all my resolutions
and once more began to build fancIful pic
tures Of my future-you, darling, being the
chief figure in all. Oh, Matey. it is SO hard
TO give it all up"
At sight of his anguish my own pain in
ciesisSi pAs Ul9 Oe@.a 6S11eAy cA aAS OV"So
head.
Tell me, Felix, what the letter says"
"Here-read for yourself.
dare sag you were glad to hear OF my death,
but am still alive. 1t was another woman WHO
died and they gave her my zane through mis-
take: when 1 got well did not care to corTec.
the mistake. have been IN England for the last
two years, and am now coming homo. an, stiu
your wife. even though you did desert me.
ANNIE GERARD.
The writing was that OF an uneducated per-
son, and pitied my poor BOY more than ever.
had 10 time then to think Of myself.
"Matey. dear, shall leave here today
must not remain longer; but how can part
from youa Oh, darling. perhaps in the years
to come, when you have forgotten the pain
of this time, some other man better than
may win you; but no other can iovo you
better, or as WELL
mo other man will ever win me. I gave
you al the love he'd TO give, and | am not
one 70 change / shall go on loving you to
thu end Of life. God grant it may be a short
onei"
'.Matey. dear ooe, can you ever forgive
me for bringing this sorrow into your young
lfeE'
Hush. Felix, II is not your fault; do
not blame you, dear
my precious GIRL" Then he pressed .
kiss on my forehead, and left ne
remained there for hoars, bus at last /
arouscd myself and left the summer nousa |