The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-25


him still, said Lostie, with virtu0us re-
proof: though she did not think that she
herself would have liked the colonel for
father.
"And your Aunt Efvira," said Bess,
reproachfully; and vet Bess vas not pass
ing fond Of Miss Elvira-
Winifred smiled sadly. eyes" she
said, 81 suppose thsy both loved me as
child, but they kept me at distance,
| while Brer Nicholas-I lived close to his
heart. 1 have missed him always; /
shall never rest until l find him"
''Your.father viii never forgive you Il
you make overtures to this Capt.
Fletcher" said Lottie, with conviction.
Fletcher" cried Winifred- Thought
you did not know his namso'
|'WeH-if you must have the truth,
Winifred, we know his name, not be-
cause we care about it, but because we
cannot help knowing it. John Lorimer
Fletcher-theress enough OF Il, goodness
knows"
"My Aunt Winifred's friendr- Wini-
fred exclaimed In extreme surprise 81
know now why you and Bess locked at
each other So"
''H you were SO unfortunate as to
meet him at your aunt's," said Lottie,
with judicial air, why you know,
Missy, that was something you could
not help, and you are not bound to
know him now, of course"
II did not know him! I would not
know him!" cried Winifred, in strong
excitement He was at aunts once,
for few days, and begged her not to
let him meet me. When he came unex-
pectedly into the room where I was, the
only time 1 ever saw him, [ turned my
back upon him and left him. The sight
of him made my whole heart burn. 1
could not think of him except as an
enemy arrayed against my dear, dear
brother, who knew must be in the Con-
federate army. l never dreamed of the
possibility of a meeting between him and
Brer Nicholas, except in mortal combat,
and the sight of him was dreadful; it was
intolerable to be m the same house with
him" She threw herself back m her
chair, and covered her face with her
hands, trembling. sob, if 1 could have
known! If could but have Known
she moaned.
''Well, we don't know that he did any
thing much for Cousin Nicholas" said
Bess, with intent to be consoling. ''And
one doesn't care TO be under obligations
TO Yankee officer"
eff he did but see Brer Nicholas, that
is much. Oh, BeSs, think how long it
has been since l have seen my brother!
And this man is my Aunt Winifred's
friend-ny good old aunt, who was al
ways so patient with me-"
ut makes no difference said Lottie.
she brought letter from your aunt;
Cousin Jasper told grandmother all about
it. He said that Mrs. Lorriuer expected
too much when she asked him TO invite
a Yankee officer to his house. He was
very angry; and that was why he wrote
for you to come home so suddenly; and
as dutiful daughter | don't see how
you can take any notice of this man."
Lottie concluded, with some emphasis.
She rather distrusted her cousins five
years residence at the north.
F'Nobody notices him" said Bess, re-
enforcing her sisters argument, except
Mrs. Theodore Scott-she was Miss La
taste, don't you know, who used to give
you music lessons. He was i'll at the
hotel, and she took him away, and in
sisted upon his staying at her house.
She says it is her duty to take care of
him, because his family had shown her
some kindness or other, years ago; but
people don't go to that Mrs. SCOTS now,
not if they can help il"
In spite Of this statement Winifred
Thorne's heart was on fire to go to ''that
Mrs. Scott's." She was sitting, the next
day, absorbed in this desire, when, hap
pening to glance upin the reStlessness of
her impatience, she found her fathers
gaze bent upon her. She had thought
herself alone, and started slightly, red
dening with a sense Of guilt she had not
felt before.
What is the matter with me?7 she
asked, and smiled family.
Nothing; I see no fault in you, Wini
fred" the colonel replied, with an an
swering smile, followed by sigh.
The tears rushed to Wnfred's eyes.
All at once she comprehended that it
must be her duty TO confide in her father;
and with that impnlsiveness which had
characterized her decisions of old, she
asked:
Father, aren't you going to see this
Capt. Fletcher, some time? He is Aunt
Winifred's friend, you know"
what do you know about him. the
colonel asked, with a searching glance.
''Did Mrs. Lorrinaer tel you Of his pres
ence herey'
''No, no; she told me nothing. 1 did
not know OF his being here until yester-
day. But wish you would go to see
him"
"Do not ask that OF me. Winifrsd,"
said the colonial, frowniDg- ~The bitter
ness of defeat is not yet over. LILY aunt
expects too much"
1T rs not fer Aunt Win;fred's sake"
said Winifred, in voice that shook with
herintensity of feeling; cit is that he has
seen Brer Nicholas"
The colonel had been stridiuZ up and
down the room, but ne stopped short /
when Winifred said fAis, and seemed 70 |
ponder the stzltenEut.
1t is quIte possible that he rzay have F.
met-your brother, ne said at LAST but T.
what does that signify? l attach no ia
pcrtzncs to It.
'~Oh, nv fsfherT'
The plaintivs CIV Touched the colonel /!
but Il did not soSsen him How did you /
hear he asked, gloomiIy-
"GcGn Bee ss4d me; and yesterday /
asked I1&fse srf; Bs.ss zbe1It x but they 4