The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-11-27

and try to convince her that the fhmlly
strenuously objected to the proposed mar
rage, and that everything would be done
to bring it to naught9 Would he try to
persuade her to give Horace up. TO relin-
| quish her hold of a young fellow-s mere
boya-nuch her junior, who ought not TO be
thinking as yet of matrimony under any
| circumstances Would he appeal to her
good feelings if she had any? Would
| he"-
MY dear Mrs. Lakely, anything to
| oblige you, but don't know
oh, don't say so, Interrupted the poor
! lady. Il have such confidence in your
ability to straighJen matters out for Us.
A day or two later this conversation re
| suited in visit from Bristed to the hotel
where Mrs. Mcpherson was temporarily
| registered.
| Il was not in this young mans nature to
| look forward with much relish to the in
terview. He felt that he h;'l before him
something extremely distastefuL 1t is
even possible that he was inclined TO take
some credit to himself when he reflected
| upon the trouble he was at to oblige his
| friends family and TO keep the boy him
self from piece of folly be should spend
the rest OF his life in regretting. But in
| another way he accounted himself repaid
| for anything he might do, even before it
was done. For nothing could be sweeter
or fairer or more charming than Cecilia
| Lakely, Horace's young sister.
She was a mere school girl. to be sure,
! but Hurlburt Bristed admired the type.
An ingenious young girl was to him the
most delightful thing in nature. And he
smiled often, as be took himself TO Mrs.
McPherson's hotel, in remeu brance Of GER
| tain warm, shy giances which had fallen
| from those doyelike eyes these latter times
since he had been exerting himself so much
in her brothers behalf In helping Horace
he was really wooing in the surest way, if
indirectly, the elusive flower of this young
| creatures love.
He was still thinking Of Cecilia as he sat
waiting for Mrs. Mcpherson to appear.
He was, indeed, so much ergrossed in his
| reveries that he looked up only when the
lady he had come 10 see stood close in
front of him She had entered softly by a
door at the side Of him. As he rose q little
confusedly she covered him suddenly with
a wonderful smile.
The young widow-it was impossible not
to think of her as younger than she was
stood there an instant and then sank into
her chair opposite her visitor. She begged
him TO resume his seat. She seemed to
wait still with that unusual, that almost
harmonious smile, for him to begin. From
her presence, at once assured and unob-
trusive, animated and repOseful, from her
delicate toilet. there enauated an aroma,
as it were, which fattered all the senses.
Il believe you are Horace Lakely's great
friend" said this gracious creature in
well modulated voice If the mOdulations
were sonewhat artificial, if it were posi-
bic to surnise that the natural tone Of
voice did rot always betrsy the same re-
finement Of culture, it so happened that
Hurlburt Bristed (albeit he had the reputa-
ton Of noticing everything did not OBJ
serve the fact.
The next day Mrs Lakely awaited Bris-
ted's promised visit with eager Impotence.
Cecilia looking very lovely in a white
dress (Bristed had once remarked that she
should always wear white-it was becom-
ing to her, was sitting with her mother,
and shot an expressive glance at the door
when it opened.
well, Mr. Bristed. we'll" demanded
Mrs. Lakely, "have You good news for me'
VIII she 90 away and leave my boy in
peace?"
Cecilia, who had risen and remained
standing, in q certain hesitancy, left the
room.
Il don't know that can tell you any
thing very definite, my dear madam" OBJ
served Bristed, somewhat slowly.
"Oh, what do you mean2 / hope the
wretched person does not refuse to loosen
her hold of Horace cried Mrs. Lakely.
NO, no. 1t is not that-not at all. Re
assure yourself Only Bristed inter
rupted himself He began again: II i'm
agine she viii, as you express it, loosen her
hold Of Horace. Yes-but-I wished 10 ask
you-ahem,"
If it had been possible TO fancy such a
thing Of the self assured, graceful, lofty
Bristed Mrs. Lakely would have fancied
that he looked embarrassed. She stared
at him when he continued:
Have you any definite reason for sup
posing that Mrs Mcpherson really intend
ed to marry Horace
Really intended to marry him'" echoed
Mrs. Lakely. why, nothing could be
more evident thought we were agreed on
that point, Nj Bristed
ION Horace's being most anxious 10
marry Mrs. McPhersou-yes, amended
Bristed. But do mott am not sure
do you mean" interjected the poor
lady, holding herself very straight, her
mien, in its outraged maternal pride, be
coming almost majestic. that Mrs Nc
Pherson is playing fast and loose with my
SOM That she would reject him at the last
moment2"
That Horace Lakely should marry such
a person az McPhersOu's widow was horri-
bic enough. But, that being so inclined,
Mrs Lakely's darling, her eldest born, her
handsome, privileged son, should be sub
jected TO the indignity Of refusal from
such a source, surely that was almost more
terrible still.
''Oh, my dear Mrs Lakely, please do not
imagine | would insinuate such a thing"
exclaimed Bristed rather lamely.
He was Juggling at his mustache, and
Mrs Lakely was obliged 70 acknowledge
that he was certainly i'll al ease.
u hope you vii! let me know what
progress you make she insisted, feeling
vaguely helpless.
q will, Of course" said Bristed, getting
TO his feet.
He seemed relieved in some way that
the interview should be a. an end lie
departed with SO much precipitaucy that
be forgot % leave his respects for Cecilia
According 10 the combined ent7eat.es u
the entire family, Horace Likely had final
IL consented 10 o. 2 o. ron. 90 t-a-= "a h- had