Wichita eagle., 1889-06-18
OUR FILTRATION.

OIL course IL was Ufuc. DuI SHo SOAo0 hSip
it. She wasn't to blame for her glorious
beauty, or If from the dark, bewitching eyes
did dart tons of Cupid's arrows straight into
that region of the body where young mems
hearts are supposed to be located. And
told her SO, and that those persons who
censured and annoyed her with such disagree
able lectures were old maids, too old to re-
member when they were young themselves.
Kitty seemed to have her doubts about all
of them being old maids, for she said one was
her brother, who had been talking to her that
very day I told her it was too bad; that l
didn't blame her, and that she might fiirt with
me all she liked
"Oh, may Ig' she asked. "And won't you
blame me, and won't you cares'
Never l answered. II have always
been your friend, Kitty, and I always shall
be as long as live"
aOh. won't that be splendidT she cried;
and she looked as if she would like to hug me
on the spot; and l. if 1 remember correctly,
did not offer the least objection-but she
didn't.
After this perfect understanding Kitty and
/ were the best of friends. We rode, we
sang. we danced, we sailed on the lake-in
short, we were SO much together that people
began to talk worse than before and said
that Kitty was flirting more desperately than
ever, and warned me. l looked with undi-
guised contempt upon these busybodies, as
termed them, and told Kitty not to mind
what any one said.
She readily promised she wouldn't, and
continued to be her constant escort. "What
harm could it DOR asked myself What ii,
sometimes, when I saw the lovely face watch
ing for me through the bars where we often
Il. 311L ,ov, e,,nl,
O smile Of welcome that felt my heart give
a sudden thump against my ribs; or if the
little curl of soft brown hair she had given
me, and told me to keep always 'for her
sake" was resting in the left breast pocket of
my coat over my heart, and that the picture
of the beautiful face was shut up in the locket
that hung on my watch chain, and that some
how 1 had acquired the habit of opening
quite often of late2
1t was nothing; 1t was all understood
Kitty was only flirting.
Perhaps things would have gone on in this
friendly manner to this day but for a young
man in the town who was my particular
aversion. Augustus Lapham had finished his
college course, and after a years travel had
returned home
| shall never forget the feeling with which
surveyed him when l met HIM for the first
time after his return
"a dude of the first water" was my mem
tai comment as took him in at a glance.
A path starting from the course of the low
forehead and running up back among the
''bumps" of self conceit which showed re-
markably healthy state of development, sep
arated the yellow hair into two exactly equal
parts; an eye glass and chain, a waxed mus
tache, diamond ring upon one finger of a
hand that held an apology for cane, and
trousers so tight they required his anxious
attention whenever he arose or sat down
this constituted what appeared to me TO be
merely walking fashion plate.
Perhaps another reason for my dislike may
have been that he boldly displayed his pref
erence for Kitty, the only young lady in the
place he would notice
| was surprised that she did not repel bis
advances. Indeed, l sometimes thought she
encouraged his attentions.
mentally declared he would receive little
sympathy from me if some one did make him
the victim of a serious Irritation. 1t would
be a wholesome lesson, and take down his
conceit a little, but did not exactly relish
the idea that Kitty should be the one to visit
punishment upon him.
Judge of my establishment when one day,
about sunset, while on my way for an even
ing visit to her house, l met him driving his
handsome phaeton, with Kitty tucked in by
his side.
She greeted me withSler sweetest smile. he
did not see me. In fact, he hadn't seen meof
late when he met me-not since had devoted
myself SO exclusively to Kitty.
watched the carriage till it disappeared
down the road, then began to 'homeward
plod my weary way" 1t is strange how sud-
denly tired one can become of life, of every
body and everything.
sat down that night ard tried to use what
common sense nature had bestowed upon me,
and looked the matter calmly and sQuarely in
the face.
had no claim upon Kitty. She possessed
the right to ride with whom she pleased; but
this conclusion did not tend to soothe my
rufied feelings, and l made up my mind the
time had come for some definite understand
ing.
The next day when I called upon her I no
ficed no difference III her manner. She greet
ed me as cordially as ever, making no alusion
70 what transpired the night before; but she
seemed to notice difference In me, and
anxiously inquired if / were i'll.
Eyes. I'm nl-sick of everything" / re-
piled, more decidedly perhaps than the occa-
sion required
why don't you call a physician'" she sug-
gested- Does your bead trouble you or
have YOU heart difficultyi"
did not look at her, for l knew she was
laughing at me, and when at last 1 did turn
toward her the brown eyes were brimful OF
mischief
kitty" / cried, impatiently, will you
ever stop fiirting"
why, Ned, I'm surprised!' with an In
lured air. You said there was no harm II
it, and that you wouldn't blame me and
wouldn't care, and that those who did blame
me- were old maids" she reiterated. emphstr
cally, repeating what seemed to me then very
foolish speeches of mine, with a wonderful
memory. You said she continued. Il
might hirt all liked"
"Only with me" replied
"You didn't say that"
swell, meant that"
81 don't know what right you have to die
tate to me-" and she raised the little head
haughtily.
"Wm yop give me the FIGHT KitHr'