Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-11-10
SHE FACED The MUSIC.
(TO BE CONTINTED.)

proven by an incident which befell a far ma
tive of New Orleans travelling two weeks in
New England. The lady was alone. her nus
band having been compelled to remain over
in Boston on business, while she continued on
to join her sister rusticating in a rural village
When John babe her an affectionate adieu at
the depot that morning she was immensely
amused at his great solicitation for her well
fare Again and again he regretted the en-
forced delay, and laid many charges upon his
young and pretty wife as to the safest way Of
reaching her destination After leaving the
trunk line she was obliged to take branch
road; an hours ride landing her in the small
town. Knowing his wife's passion for walk
ing on country roads, this careful husband
cautioned her under any and all circumstances
to wait for the train, and not to think of at
tempting the distance Oh foot. She listened,
as women will, determining all the while to
obey her husband strictly if-hls injunctions
fell in with her convenience. The forenoon
on the through line passed Off without con-
tretemps of any kind, but to Madame's chag-
rim on stepping off at the wayside station,
about 4 o'clock, a sleepy, cross eyed official
greeted her with the unwelcome information
that the train had gone on its afternoon trip,
dark. Three long, lonely hours in a dull rail-
road waiting room was enough to try the
patience of less high spirited woman.
The round orb hung in the western sky on
its downward course; the foliage, freshly
FURNISHED by passing shower, cleaned with
jeweled rain drops; the earth gave out
sweet summary smell, tempting the veriest
laggard to come forth and luxuriate in ma
fha
looked up and down the long track with
wistful, appreciative eyes, to where the steel
rails narrowed and were lost in the heavy,
overshadowing foliage. Would John mind
SO very muchs she began arguing with her
self; it was such step, those five short miles
under the blue heavens with every living
thing responding to the bright notion. Full
of old fashioned prejudices, as she termed
her husbands scruples regarding feminine
prudence, it could not harm any human be-
ing if she stretched her cramped limbs by
brisk turn up the road. John should never
know; it would be all right; and with a
quiesed conscience the disobedient wife went
into the office, made all the necessary ar
rangements as to the forwarding of her lug
gage, and with tight heart, stepped off at
sharp pace. ';Myl what an idiot l would
to that stupid fellow and spend this divine
evening hanging round that stuffy little STA
ton. I'll be in N long before dark and
sleep like top after the STROLL With long,
springing steps she rapidly covered the dis
lance, and soon the small red rooted depot
faded far away in the back ground. Every
breath of the pure cool oxygen was stimu-
lating as elixir, and every foot of the way
- H. IL.
What had that tiresome John been thinking
of to plan cheating her out of SO much limo
cent pleasurei
These reflections continued for some time,
when, great heavens! about fifty yards
ahead, mans form issued suddenly from
the underbrush and made straight for the
track, with his face set toward her. The
poor little wife's heart fell like a stone heavy
as lead in her terrified bosom. Every mo
ment brought new developments in the way
of a torn, SLOUGH hat, a rough, red beard,
dingy, flannel shirt, patched trousers and a
pair of disreputable boots fetching into
clearer prominence every movement the
ugliest specimen of an unmistakable tramp.
What should she doa Her trembling heart,
fluttering like struggling bird, sent every
drop of blood into the throbbing brain which
for minute refused utterly to act. On he
came, and to her excited imagination she
seemed to catch the CLEAN of ferocity in his
professional eye. Then, like a wave Of fresh
despair, her last lingering hope was washed
away by the consciousness Of pair of big,
solitaire diamond earrings, a jeweled bar
pin and various other pretty, costly trinkets.
Its ell that hateful Johns fault, after
all, the convenient conscience of this sum-
mer bride whispered; IF he hadn't given
me such lots of handsome things that terri
bic tramp would never think Of noticing
me-" But what good did it do abusing the
much longed for and ever faithful John
when that sulky brute was gaining fasti
Now, in the long, slanting rays Of the set
ting sun she could see the wicked, greedy
look in those deep set, evil eyes. The bloated
countenance as repulsive as those hard, cruel
hands grasping the heavy stick across Ms
brawny shoulders. Desperate, but outward
" calm, her resolve was quickly made, and
quieting her throbbing nerves, the piucky
little woman quickened her pace and in two
minutes more was facing the music.
Good evening" she began in a gentle,
ladylike way. If you please, be so very
good as to tell me the distance to N;
am entirely alone, have lost the way and
want You TO be kind enough to help me-" Il
was too much. The man had plenty of grit
and could have wrung that slender, white
throat, without winking; but to be appealed
to as a friend and gentleman in such a
Straightforward, natural way, knocked his
pins" clean from under him. Every dead
ened spark of manhood quickened in tina,
tough old breast, and before he knew it his
hat was off and he bowed with positive
grace.
True he had to turn his covetous eyes from
those sparkling diamonds, but he rose 70 the /
occasion ali the same, and with chivalric /.
grace replied, Madame, am very sorry, 1
but really l am a traveller ike yourself and /
rather a stranger in these parts Is there 4
anything else in which | could assist youi /
MOI Good evening; a pleasant Journey and |
OF that old tramp walked without once look (
ing back
John was told, and after the conventional /
lecture fgrs.-aye his il1prudent wife
Its Worst Feature.
visitor-What Is the most Questionable
thing You find about prison liiei
Convict - Being iocked Up Muuseys
Weekly.
Well, Rather.
Could be know the mighty rumpns
Made 2bos; his fair.
wo1i9n Christopher Columbus
Stand and s.are.