The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-11
MR.. BROWN.

with more than usual sOlidity, and inward
1y furnished as if tho inhabitants were, fOT
the time, living there, not merely camping
out Above, pine branches interlaCing
across the sky; below, the needle carpet,
easing every football; between the trunks
of the stately conifers the flash and sparkle
Of the sea. Across the Piazza's sweep, the
inviting curve Of a hammock; in the ham
mock-blUe eyed, golden haired, white
robed-a girl, her fingers idly pluchng
chords from guitar, but her eyes on the
glimpse of ocean, and her thoughts far
away. Is it not pretty picture'
So thought the young man IN a well worn
tennis suit, as he lounged, hands in peck
cts, against the trunk of tree, and watched
the tableau unobserved. Apparently he
would be willing to enjoy the picture for
ever, but at last the girls eyes fell upon
him, and, jumping up with a blush, she
almost let fall her guitar
why, Arthur Brown" she exclaimed,
have you dropped from the SKYE"
Not quite that" answered the young
man in the tennis suit, coming forward,
''but cast up by the sea. The cranky cat
boat, which my cousin dignifies by the title
Of yacht had to put in at the harbOr for
repairs, and as | have a days vacation from
my duties as cook, mate and larbOard
watch, I've strolled up this way tO-ah, to
see how the new tennis court is getting on"
''The tennis court must feel honored at
your thOiBhtfulness, said the y1ung girl,
composing herself again in the hammock,
while the young man found a seat on the
top step of the piazza. But where do you
shape your course after the Gull is in COM
mission again?'
''Oh, believe Ned is going to skirt up
towards Bar Harbor. But l think he will
make the rest Of the cruise without me"
ooh, what an idea; to desert now when
the voyage is only begunl Besides, the
Gull must not go to Bar Harbor to-mOr-
row. You ought at least to bring her
down here and stand off and on in front Of
our beach for one afternoon"
would you really like to see her?'
Really? Are we not simply dying for a
sensation? And then, I've heard of such a
thing as young ladies' enjoying sail once
in q while"
''Why, l should be delighted to bring her
up here if you would like to see her. But
as to sailing, you know she will only carry
two comfortably
ooh, Pm sure you would be glad to stay
on shore and watch the tennis court. Mr..
Lawrence and could handle her very
we'll"
The young mans face fell at this, for if
there was anything in the world he wished
to prevent it was having Alice Miller and
Ned Lawrence thrown together. Perhaps
Alice knew it. At any rate she laughed
lightly, and struck a few ripping chords
on the guitar.
The young man laid his hand on the
hammock and stopped its swing.
Alice" he cried, Il came up here ex-
pressly to find you. We left things in such
a pretty mess the last time / saw you that
l want to try 10 straighten them out. You
know L would do anything for you"
Yes, so you've told me dozen times"
Another laughing chord from the guitar.
ooh, Alice don't always laugh at me- l
am i'll earnest now, aud when l say that /
love you
ooh, hush" she said, breaking away
from him. You must not say that to me
now. Your uncle is here"
My uncle2 Hereg"
In this very house,
well, what Of that? know he has dis
approved of my marrying; l know he has
forbidden me TO see you, but
Yes, Arthur, and l shall tell you why
He is going to marry me himself"
Toto marry you2'
Yes. expect him to make love to me
any minute" The poarly teeth cleaned
through the smiling lips. He has begun
Oh papa and mamma
why, what nonsense are you talking,
Alce?'
1T is certainly true. lie came down here
two days ago to see papa about some bust
ness that was to take several days. 1t seems
that when he first saw me made an i'm
precision upon him"
Il should think you might"
"Never mind. And yesterday he began
by leading up quite naturally to the sub
ject of my marriage. l should marry some
substantial person, Of some age and posi-
ton, and SO on, giving a perfect portrait Of
Mr.. Brown, Senior. Poor papa listened per
picked, but as soon IS mamma heard of
it,
oh, yes, your mother, excellent lady"
AS soon as she heard of it she under
stood it all And ever since then have
heard nothing but Mr.. Brown. Mr.. Brown
oh, certainly, by all means, and in any
event, l mus marry Mr. Brown"
why, Alice, this Is horrible; il is per
fectly CHASTITY. But if my uncle is TO be
in the Geld against me I am determined TO
have it settled now l love you: I ask you
to be mine. and l VIII not let YOU so till
you say yes, no You need not say 1t, for
YOU look It. and now
"Oh, Arthur. stop; Arthur. let me go;
here comes your uncle. And in an in
slant she had disappeared around one cor
ner as the PonGrous step Of Mr. Brown.
senior, brought HIN around the other. Ar
thur Brown stood leaning against pillar,
pulling his IluStache.
why, Arthur, you here2 What does
this meanE"
"Oh, uncle, so you are here
Surely you cannot have forgotten that
specially requested You TO keep away from
the houSe?'
"Oh, no, uncle; recall that fact perfect
IL. But, honestly, co you think il was
quite fair 10 use such a method TO keep me
out of the way So thaV yeu could have the
field to YOURSELF
II don't know what you mean; but co
Snow that am tired Of hs'En- he burden
If the guardianship Of a prohisare nephew;
I am tired Of paying debCs; am tired CT
helping out Of scrapes at college; ana when
< is proposed that there shall be mar
rage, and | shall support two instead Of
one, say no: and shall co all IL my pow
er to prevent 1t.
Even 10 marrying her yourself re-
marked the young man, but his uncle did
not seem to near him.
Fortunately. have found an opportG'