Wichita eagle., 1890-01-22
GRETA'S RIDE.

room.
A long, low whistle comes from the man ir
regimentals as he balances on a corner of the
table. "She's in earnest. Hum. That's 6
new feature-fny aunt in temper! Major
Merrinan - that's ominous. Well, Greta
little girl, we'll see what can be done; and il
you love me- Hang it! if she didn't have
such scrupies: but she never would marry
me without her ladyships (my venerable
aunt's) consent.
All this has been addressed, in gesture
merely, to a bonny picture on an easel jus.
before him. 1t is the picture of a fair haired
girl, whose blue eyes look misch;evously al
him now and, he thinks, laugh at him. They
are such merry. sparkling eyes he cannot re-
sist them, and involuutarily laughs, too; then
filings himself into large arm chair and crit
ically examines his feet on the fender. Not
that he is thinking of them, or that Greta is
in any way associated with them; but this is
simply a masculine method of keeping his
thoughts on one subject by keeping his eyes
on another.
There is a movement beside him and he is
reused by a gay little laugh, while a girl
drops down on chair near him. 1t is the
girl of the pictnre.
''How very touching, majori A penny for
your sole-ful thoughts. Are YOU meditating
on the high price of shoe leather, or planning
a raid on boot manufactosyW She has 6
trick of keeping her mouth serious while her
eyes fairly dance with the mischief within.
She is not beautiful; but, what is much bet
ter, she is fascinating, and as the young
soldier looks at her his whole lazy manner
changes to one of activity, and some of the
light from her eyes gets into his own.
'You couldn't fairly expect first class
fool to have very brilliant thoughts, and yet
for once / can prove an exception to time
honored rule My thoughts were worth more
seen. Shall | tell then!'
Something in his manner warns her. She
raises her brows and makes crimson rose
button of her lips and says, as she looks at
him with her head on one side, Hem! No,
not at all. / do believe you're melancholy
and need rousing Fortunate thing that I'm
equal to It." She turns TO the open piano,
and striking few full, strong chords, sings
IN melodious, daring voice the national
song of the Rhine and her German father
land. There is both fire and feeling in her
rendering of it, and patriotic relish that
makes her sing it well She finishes with a
triumphant arpeggio; then rising, makes him
a sweeping courtesy:
"Maj. Archibald Merriman."
Miss Margareta Werner" he bows cere-
moniously.
"Feel bettcrg~ she asked lightly.
He looks UP glooinily and says with deep
meaning:
ssNo. worse off than eyer
'My dear sir, you ought 70 hang out a lit
lie signboard for the benefit of humanity:
For politeness inquire-next door,, and then
nobody would ever forget and look to you for
such thing. should think You were worse
off than ever! YOU'RE actually navy blue
today. Let-Ine-see. I think, perhaps, the
homeopathic treatment may do some good
Well have one poison counteract the otner.
and give you tiny pill with plenty of sugar
on the outside and very little else on the in
SIDE. Melancholy men are such agreeable
companions, it's almost pity to spoil their
humors and make them cheerful; but so it is
always, we women will be thoroughly selfish.
even If We are a tribe entertaining. All, at
l1st!' She has been turning ovel. huge
portfolio of music and has come to the song
she waS seeking
Good night, major. Does such active
duty as yours require that | wake you when
] have finished" Only her tone is saucv; her
face is perfectly serious, almost anxious. as
she looks at him over her shoulder
he looks up quickly now and there is fash
OF pain across his face, while his voice almost
"Ah, Greta, that was unkind. :" and
he looks at her until she turns her head away
and begins soft prelude on tho piano Some
how there is something lacking in the song
this time. The soldier has turned toward the
fire, and, resting his elbow on the arm of the
chair, leans his head upon his hand and closes
his eyes. he is not listening to the song, and
yet it thrills him through; he feels it rather
I'll an hears it. Greta is singing the second
verse now, and it is well she has sung it 50
often and knows the notes mechanically. for
now these so a-begging.
She does not even sing it through, but
breaks off in its only happy strain and lets
her fingers linger on the KEYS TheW form
Ihs vaguest harlnonies and she gives herself
up entirely to the spirI of the music; and
every shade of feeling is the expression of
in her heart. These rich chords
ire his deep voice and this minor wall the
pain he bore SO patiently, toe wound that
est hIm 80 much agony. This rippling camut
S her own light laugh and this discard is her
aunt to him. All! it is not his fault that hs
S here
The tears fall fast and the fingers roam
among the chromatic tones. And then she
days of her love for him, and the KEYS seem
wiling to tell the story. and make it sweet
md true; and then she joins her voice to
hose and sings low sweet song that seems
o comfort her Now suddenly she renrem-
'eSs the man at the fire, and her cheeks flush
caTlet. But he is quiet, his head still resting
Il his hand that shades his eyes She thinks
lie is sleeping, and creepe over TO the chimney
lace TO see. And as she looks at him and
neels down on the rug beside him, she clasps
er hands quite tight upon her breast. and
hCn her whole soul rises to her lips and she
ots as though her heart were breaking
''GretaT and he has her in his arms, while |
is eyes seek hers with question in them |
hit she cannot misunderstood
Forgave me. she murmurs with look |
ha. answers. sanctions everything.
After a wk1e he tells her how he had |
pn&en to Mrs. Thornton that morning and /
{ her answer TO nin
~ on will never, marry me- Grata until |
Itknt Evelyn smiles upon rs with Bless
on. my cnildren'f'
She thinks about Il for moment and
hsn raises her face, all radiant with her
nHfes
as Aunt Evelyn so sure Of NY implicit
tedisnceF' she asks
~Why, it was she who told me that; said
&c strictly forbade it; told me it was the 81.
rsmest andaciry to think Of such a thiag. |.
Honeyless major, 10 aspire to the love of a
'cTlin hei1essi It was absurd. prepostercus.
I'd Amt Evelyn wound up with the hatter>
= aSaarlon thai was a. fret class fool