The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-28

sae DO but cast him line Of some kindi
And yet / think even you, sir, with all
! your advanced opinions of women and
their duties, would hardly justify her in
such course"
"Well, George" replied the old gentle
man, II believe would. What else could
she do?"
True; but how should she let him know,
| Then she remembered that it was leap
| year While fumbling undecidedly in a
| secretary for paper she came across a
| quaint, hand made envelope, inclosing a
! pink paper heart, with these words printed
| thereon in cramped, boyish hand:
"'This was mine, but now it's yures.
adam
"She recoIlected that he had given this
to her years before, when spelling was a
greater mystery TO them both than now.
with a brush she wrote underneath:
And mine is yours
''She sealed it up, addressed it to him
and hurried with it to the postoffice. No
speculator, risking his last dollar upon
the hourly fluctuations Of the money mar
ket, ever trembled more for the results of
his venture than did Nellie now 1t was
leap year. but he might not think Of it, or
remember his childish valentine. Perhaps
he would think her overbold, or fail to
understand. Yet she saw no other more
maidenly way to let him know that she
was still true
''She sat by the window that day until
she saw Adam go by upon his way to the
postoffice. A few moments later she saw
him come back, evidently in a state of
much excitement. As he passed he glanced
up at her window, with eyes that told her
he had read her missive and that he un-
derstoOd. She rewarded him with an an
gelic smile, then hid her face blushingly,
while he walked home as if treading on
air.
That night a great opera troupe was to
give a single performance in town, and
everybody that was anybody would un-
doubtedly be there. Adam knew that Mel
lie loved such entertainments, and he went
early to get a sight of her there. Somehow,
under the daze of hope revived, he did not
think of going TO her house as yet. Know
ing that his suit would be opposed by her
father he thought great caution would be
necessary in his approaches. After the
opera began he saw that Nellie was not
there, though the rest of her family were
conspicuously present. Slowly the truth
dawned upon him. She was doubtless at
home waiting for him TO call.
The house was crowded, but he strug-
gled back through the press, and in ten
minutes was in her presence, where he
passed the happiest two hours of his life.
Yet there was trouble ahead. They loved
each other-it was like death for them to
separate-yet her father was violently op-
TO oh folA
tears in her eyes"
Good graciousr' exclaimed Mr.. Tilden.
"They should have got married anyhow;
my principles will bear me out there"
Yet, if you hear all, said George, "I
fear you will change your mind"
"Oh, well! They married or they didn't
marry; what's the odds?"
1T is not yet decided"
"Bless mel When did it all happen9
Seems to me though, in such a case, that
love should win anyhow"
81 am glad you think 50, sir for the issue
rests largely with you"
Mr.. Iilden stared at George and his face
heightened. Then his gaze was directed to
his daughter, who lowered her face over the
sachet she was making. A slow rise of
color was flushing the very tips of her little
ears. 1t was replaced by sudden pallor
at the next sound of her fathers voice.
"What does all this mean, Jennie?" he
asked rather sternly, she thought.
Tears were in her eyes as she raised them
TO his. Her lips moved silently, prayerfully
while George waited with suspended breath.
Then the father sighed. The question was
superhuous. If he had been blind before
he could not help understanding now.
Il had other views for you, Jennie" he
said at length. "But-ah, welll | stand
by my principles, though | think you took
rather an unfair advantage; eh, George?
If all this is true, however, you both have
loved too long for me TO interfere. Be
happy if you can" He shook his head
and chuckled TO himself as he started to
leave the room. "Gadr' said he. what a
way the lad took to make himself solid.
Jennie matches him, though. They will
make their way, else there's no virtue in
shrewdness-or-Or cheek"
He went out more amused than vexed.
The lovers threw themselves into each
others arms.-William Perry Brown in
Yankee Blade