Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-02-22
FOUND AT LAST.
BY IDA BELLE.

LII was IN most disturbed 6UdU0 VI
mind that left my Office one evening
about three years ago, owing to the fact
that had, that afternoon, received a
little note from Bessie Logan, saying it
would be inconvenient to her to have
me make my customary Saturday even
ing call, as she intended going to the
theater with gentleman friend of her
fathers from England who was visiting
them.
Naturally, felt disappointed as that
was the only evening I had the pleasure
of seeing my fance. Having mentioned
IN her note what play she intended see
ing, 1 went also. It distracted me to
think of seven long days passing with
out even a glimpse of my darlings face,
for she was a school-teacher in one of
the little suburbs of our city and came
home but once a week.
I arrived at the theater. My eyes
naturally wandered to the boxes, and
there in one of the lower ones, was
Bessie-not with an old gray-headed
friend, as I of course supposed, but
with a dashing, handsome fellow of
some eight and twenty years, with
black eyes and hair and a decidedly
fashy makeup.
Could my eyes deceive me, or did I
imagine 1 saw him slyly take Bessie's,
my Bessie's hand, and hold it unneces-
ssrily long? She carried @ beautiful
bunch of pink roses, and he wore bud
of the same in his button-hole. My
anger and surprise knew no bounds, for
she had caught my eye, and instantly
turned away her head without the
slightest sign of recognition.
Unable to endure the vivid emotions
the scene aroused, I left the theater
and went at once to my dreary, solitary
room, which now seemed more gloomy
to me than ever, and without any sec
end thought, wrote to Bessie Logan
that she was free as far as was con-
eerned, and that she need not expect to
see me again, as l had made up my
mind to pay visit to my uncle who
lived in England and might possibly
stay with him until his death. I also
signifed that she might retain what lit
tie gifts [ had bestowed upon her, as it
would only cause me more misery to
have them in my possession.
l boarded the next steamer for Liver
pool, my uncle had no expectation what
ever of seeing me and was very much
surprised at my unexpected appearance,
but he greeted me with an enthusiasm
which fairly dazzled me- The house
was grand old manor, having once
been the home of lord, who through
fast living, was obliged to sell it at
greatly reduced rate. Ny uncle was a
bachelor and had lived there for thirty
years and was now close upon seventy
and very feeble.
Two years passed by, aimless, idle
years.
One day my uncle called me to his
private study.
Sit down, my boy" he said, Il have
something to say to you.
He then spoke of his numbered days
and how he should soon have to give up
the beautiful old home where he had
passed so many quiet years.
Eugene, my boy" he continued,
you are my only living heir and should
you agree with a proposition that l
shall make you, 1 intend to leave you
all my wealth, including the old manor
and estates as it now stands. In the
first place, no alterations are to be
made In the house except for necessary
repairs, and furthermore, I desire that
you should marry the young woman I
have chosen. 1t is about time
you were thinking of giving up this indo-
lent bachelor existence. OF course you
do not know her, but she is the young
widow of Sir Harry Walden, one of the
worlds vilest scoundrels while he
lived. His father loved the gentle girl
Sir Harry had won, as he would have
loved his own daughter. She soon
learned her terrible mistake after mar
rage and it was with positive relief that
she learned of her husbands death, for
he was drowned while out yachting
with party of gay young fellows on
the Mediterranean. They were mar
ried about year and half ago in New
York, she being an American girl whom
he met and fell in love with while visit
ing the States"
But, my dear uncle" 1 demurred,
%you most surely know I would never
marry awoman whom did not love,
and although you are most generous in