The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-11-19

navIng sent a messenger TO Mr. Van
GNI remained with those who searched
the park, and shortly we were Joined BY
the father of Agnes, who, according to his
nature, was more furious than frightened
and abused me heartily for leaving his
daughter, even for a moment, alone. l
could not blame him-I was full of self re-
proach. But it was many days before /
accepted the terrible truth-that should
never see Agnes again
Everything was done that it was possible
for energy or money TO do, but we never
found trace OF her Gradually came 10
the conclusion that she had been muir
dered. and that her body had been so well
concealed that it could never be found
Mr.. Van G. believed as I did
''The only obedient Gid i ever had, F" he
said; ''the others are without a sense Of
flial duty. l meant TO leave her every
thing"
As for me, felt the blow terribly and
became a moody and unhappy man.
forsook society, lived the life of a hermit,
and being rich had nothing to force me to
healthy occupation Occasionally went
TO Mr. Van G-'s He had driven all his
other daughters from him by his brutality;
but together we often shed tear for our
poor lost Agnes.
When 1 was 10 years of age the old man
died. attended his funeral and was, per
haps, the only one that felt real sorrow, and
that was chiefly because we had shared the
same trial.
The readingof the will came at the usual
time and to that was summoned. ar
rived early. In the library, where the
will was to be read, sat only middle aged
woman, rather shabbily attired, but bear
ing certain family likeness to the Van
G-s which made me fancy that she was
poor cousin, whose futile hopes of legacy
had brought her thither.
As sat quietly by the window saw her
look at me. Suddenly she arose and came
to me.
"You don't remember me, Arthur" she
said
most startling ideas entered my mind
ideas that were madness. She saw it in
my face what they were, and answered
them.
II am Agnes" she said-"Mrs. Jessup
now. suppose you think I'm dreadful.
How you did fly about looking for me.
Dear-deari And poor pa. How he swore;
but it was all because he was so ferocious.
He beat sister Ann for engaging herself to
Mr.. Smith, and he turned Selma away
from the door in a storm for liking poor
young Brown. was afraid of him. So
when he told me Mr.. Jessup must not call
I said, Yes, sir And when he said /
must be engaged to you 1 said yes, too, but
liked William Jessup, and l never in
tended to marry you. That young man on
the next bench was William Jessup, and
when we sat down his little brother wore
the ulster and blue veil, but as soon as
yofl were out of sight he slipped out of
them and put them on and sat there all
the while. After you went we walked
away.
81 thought should die, it was so funny
OF course l knew pa never would forgive
me if he knew-he wasn't that kind. But
now l may get something. William said
I'd better come and see.
We've had hard luck. / shall be aw-
fully glad if 1 can take home a few dol
lars"
l listened quietly. Agnes was yet al
most pretty, but she had lost all her dis
tinction, had caught vulgar ways Of speech
and common Observation-Disclosures from
Mr. Jessup. She wore i'll fitting false teeth
and a false front of curls that did not
match her hair Ny beautiful memory of
my betrothed faded as gazed at the real
product of years of common association,
and the first thought that | found myself
able to formulate was-what fool have
made of myself
Cant believe your senses. can you"
said she.
"Oh, yes" said I; cit was a surprise at
first, but quite realize the facts of the
case l think that the will-which leaves
everything to a charity-has a codicil,
which leaves it all to you if you should
prove to be living.
al know she is dead your father said,
but that is my way of showing my appre-
citation of my only obedient child"
Poor pa" said Mrs. Jessup. Here the
entrance of other persons interrupted our
conversation.
was right about the will which the
other relatives endeavored to dispute in
vain. 1 received a diamond ring as a
memento of Mr.. Van c. and our com
mon grief" and wear it to this day. And
tomorrow am TO be married to a very
charming lady, my only regret being that
1 have wasted so many years in mourning
for young lady who played me such an
exceedingly shabby trick-Buffalo News.