Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-31

ward and visible shape, Tor thai warrior did
not in general accompany his daughter and
wife, spending his time chiefly at his club in
more congenial society. He might be seen
looking out Of the bow window in st. James
any day between 10 and 2, attired In . blue
frock, a very stir cravat and buf waist
coat. Sir Hercules had served In his time
with distinction, but it was good many
years ago He succeeded, too, in maintaining
a strict military discipline in his household,
to which the two ladies were fain, however
unwillingly, to render submissive obedience
Lady vi really wished the match for her
daughter. There was no fault to find with
this misguided young man. he would do
for a son-in-law better than many, and she
would be glad to have Mabel fairly settled in
life, and be able, as she said, to devote her
self to Sir Hercules, who could do without
her less and less, as she was in the constant
habit of affirming. And yet there were peo-
pie Ill natured enough to declare that his
wife turned the key upon her equity and
irascible warrior before leaving him for the
engagement Of the night. But then, as we
all know to our cost. some peoples tongues
are capape or any auroc1ous invention, to
which a virtuous ear should never incline
So Lady vi firmly resolved to bring the
young man to book, while he, unconscious Of
his doom, continued to frisk and play like q
lamb in the meadow while the butcher is ad-
vancing unawares.
It fell out in this way
He was to call for the ladies one afternoon
in order to escort them to the park. But he
was shown ominously into the shaded and
charming room which belonged to Lady vi,
with its screens and draperies, its palms and
pots and fantastic ornaments. Mabel was
not there, however, and her ,ladyshA pres
enJIy entered alone lie must excuse Mabel,
she said, who had a headache and could not
go; could not, in fact, leave her room; so she
would give him tea, and they would have a
little quiet chat He began to feel nervous,
and his heart, under his white waistcoat,
gave a sudden jump. They slipped their tea
Lady vi slowly. as he thought, and with
cruel elaboration. Presently the enemy
would, as he well knew, open fire His cour-
age began to rise, as brave mans will, with
the sense of danger. He resolved to be no
craven, and to fight it out with all the de5-
perate valor of despair.
my dear child has not been looking very
well Of late-do you Think" began the at
lacking force in a gentle, murmurous voice,
like dove on an elm tree.
''Indeed, Lady vi! In my poor opinion
your daughter never looked more bril-
liant"-
mo, indeed" interrupted the fair speaker
with much vivacity. ''These constant head
aches from which the poor child suffers are
becoming, 1 assure you, serious cause of
anxiety. I think of consulting Sir Agnew
Darke about her. But medical treatment is
too often powerless in such cases. But what
is a mother to doa" And Lady vi heaved q
deep sigh.
advice, know, is often useless" said this
artless young man, ''in cases of organic dis
ease; but you cannot possibly feel any such
apprehension with regard to your daughters
health"
Lady Wis heaviers guns now advanced and
began to open on the position.
II see must speak plainly, my dear friend.
Young ladies must be silent, but mothers
must act freely on their behalf. Your atten-
tons have been so marked that fear my
darling child's happiness is in danger of being
compromised. She is suffering in silence,
and without a word from you either to ex-
plain or to Justify your heartless-yes, and I
will say it-your unprincipled conduct"
Here laced northumberland came out,
and was used with effect.
Speak you must, indeed" murmured her
ladyship, softly, but with great decision,
from behind it, "or must see my beloved
Mabel the premature victim of her unhappy
and misplaced affection for heartless man. "
Tears choked her utterance; sobs shook the
pretty hands which held the handkerchief,
NJ haInn nSad nc a far of diSfracs
able Even our young man was, for one
brief moment, disconnected. But he felt it
was now or never, and with bold determine
ton dropped on his knees He seized the dis
engaged hand and kissed it fervently
Now l will speak indeed !" he cried ''Lady
vi, you behold in this attitude" land he
glanced at his knees 1.-THE most devoted of
your slaves 1t is quite impossible you can
for one moment have mistaken my attentions
1t is you whom have ventured to approach
through your daughter. Speak, dear lady,
and make me the happiest, as am feel the
most audacious, of men,"
''Good heavensl" screamed her ladyship
"Do you know what you are saying7 A dec
laration to mee What will Sir Hercules
sayT
'Sir Herculesln said the ardent swain in
a modest voice. MAY ask who is Sir Her
cules, and what has he or any man to do
with my affairs, 1 should like to known
Simply this" returned her ladyship,
wringing her hands, that he is my husband
my dear, dear old man-and that you, sir,
are wilfully insulting me. Get up from the
carpet this instant, and never let me see you
again."
"Marriedr' he murmured in the faintest
accents. Good gracious! Lady vi, I thought
you were a widow, and free. needn't say,
to receive my addresses, or should never
never have presumed. What a cruel mistake
for man to makel Forgive me, if you can,
Lady vi 1t is who have to suffer" He
hid his face in his hands, this hypocritical
young man. Hypocrisy is always detest-
able vice Forgive me-" he pleaded. 'Say
you forgive, or l won't go away; upon my
honor | WON'T and he also showed signs of
falling on his knees again.
Lady vi rose majestically. "This inter
view, sir, has been already too prolonged.
Begonef'-with a startling vivacity-'and
never let me see you in this house again"
Since you are so cruel" he replied in the
meekest of voices, 81 must bow to necessity.
But so will not''-with stout determination,
and in much louder key-''untl you say
am forgiven"
She rendered him her hand, which he kissed
with the utmost devotion, bowed very low
and withdrew with a modest consciousness Of
having scored the trick and won the honors.
Certainly it was with sensation Of defeat
aud modification that one so clever should
have played her cards so i'll. that her lady
ship retired to her daughters apartments,
where the foregoing was doubtless presented
in as good light as it could be made to bear.
But on this score we are only able dlrnlv to