The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-20

Missouri was about evenly balanced be-
tween secession with the southern states
and loyalty with the northern states. The
time was August, in 1851. There had
been struggles OF legislation over the
question whether Missouri should 90
with the south or stay with the north.
Every city, every town, and many a
family, was distracted and divided. All
was turbulence. Gen. Fremont was in
command Of the Unionist military de-
partment, and he had sent Gen. Lyon
with a small army to drive out the Con-
federate troops, who had entered the
state from Indian territory under COM
mand of Gen. Ben McCulloch. The
Of both commanders werefor
awhile as chaotic as the diverse senti-
ments Of the people, for the governments
of the United States and the Confederate
States were alike indeCisive in their policy
the uncertain territory. The
battle of Wilson's Creak was not far off,
and the immediate region was loosely
possessed by Confederate troops.
But peaceful quite was the yard of a
arm house which overlooked the stream
t shutdown of summer day. Four
er5onS were UnconSciously grouped in
Ry that made a fair picture. They
ire two men and two women, not one
Svhom had gone further in life than a
4 years beyond maturity. One woman
snegligently on bench, with one arm
hging over its back, and the other
singing ut her side. Her face was so
Eectly regular and proportionate in its
;ture5 that it might have been express
nless but for large black and wonder
lily lustrous eyes. He who stood be-
nd her, leaning on the back of the seat,
IS a very manly fellow. a tendency
slouchiness in has clothing was in keep
& with free and careless ways, and in
Gated his rural rearing rs certainly as
e wOman,s nicely OF dress showed her
acquaintance with the exaetions OF a
.shionabie life in the city.
The other couple were in a swing that
ing from the lim5 of a tree, the brawny
an clasping the ropes with his hands,
d the slender woman clinging to him
sh more energy than her position
,med to require. She jumped down of
udden, and perverted the fact by say
(: "You were hugging me, Tudor
lwne." She ran out of the yard, he
flowing, and clunsily protesting his
hocence of intentional improperly.
The pair that remained had listened
bh the air of being still diverted by
mething that was by no means new to
em; and the woman said: They are
nusing, Mr.. Willett." Her tone was
Wv, like her attitude and her manner.
Thether she was affected by the listless-
ess that comes of summer lOunging in
ne country, or whether her CalmnesS Of
urface was a careful covering Of actlv-
t. underneath, young Oliver Willett had
ben trying to discern. He courageously
determined on a moro direct way to the
desired knowledge than guessing, and
p-ecipitately began, in thoughtlessly
CHOSEN, but ardent words, an ayowal Of
his passion.
A woman came to the open window of
the house and stood eavesdrOpping. This
was bay Willett-Oliver's sister, and
older than he. She waited only long
enough TO comprehend what her brother
was doing and then interrupted by pre-
senting herself before them. Oliver
walked into the house without saying
another word. May took the place that
he had left at the back of the seat, and
said quietly, but with a firm meditation:
- Mrs. Armytage, l have been listening.
! heard what my brother said, and knew
what he was going to say. l am going to
speak frankly-it Is my duty. You and
Mrs. DimmoCk-marriedw omen-came
here to spend a few weeks. l welcomed
you as a school day friend, and her as
your friend. You asked me not to tell
that You were wives" (
THAT was her freak, not mine" Mrs
Armytage replied; Il was ashamed of il
from the start"
''YOu acquiesced at least, and l gave !
you my word not TO let even Oliver
know. did not foresee that YOU would |
so quickly become lovers. He has been
an officer in the Confeder- !
ate army, yet he fingers here. away from |
bis duty and in dangerous proximity to /
the Unionists' advance"
Mrs. Arnytage's manner was placid |
as she said: "Am to blame? ! have not |
undertaken 70 control his conduct or his |
heart. am the wife OF United States |
army officer, and VINO can say that 1 am |
unfaithful? l have tried TO discourage |
YOUR brother, and it is not my fault if l |
have not succeeded. But if you order /
me away, 1 will not hesitate about 60 /
ing"
Mrs. Armytage arose With stately dig /,
nifty, bat May drew her back to the seat, |
saying, Forgive me-
Il impose only one condition. Mrs. |
Armytage said. Promise never 70 IN |
deceive your brother. Let him continue
10 think of me with respect"
II promise, May said.
Tudor Bovine and Mrs. Dimmock re- /
turned to the yard, and saw nothing in |
Mrs Armytages beautifully immobile |
face TO show that gust of feeling had |
swept over it. Mrs. Dimmock was cling !
ing 20 Tudor's arm with clever mock |
ETY. OF affection. and he was exhibiting !
an exaltation of delight They were /
bringing along an aged negreSs. whose
raudily t1rhaned head and tatterdemal- |