Wichita eagle., 1890-02-21

/ ma no uutae anxiety. Not LnaE jim was az
| all in love with her, or likely to forget Kit
| tie, but be was 50 very young and so sorry
| for her; and IL is through their sympathies
| that so many men get into trouble.
There was nothing In it. only it took him
| longer to do errands at her desk than it did
| the rest OF us, and sometimes he would stop
and talk few minutes to her after work
was done-that was all; but it worried me.
felt that ought to speak to him about it,
yet what could fellow dos There was really
nothing to speak about So it would seem
when was with him, then when had left
him it would seem that had neglected my
duty. Then, again, IL would appear too
trihing matter to think of, so there was,
not halting between two opinions, but hop-
ping from one opinion to another dozen
times day.
One Sunday Kittie took him to task in a
playful manner for not getting home earlier.
"Fifteen minutes late three times last week
she said, shaking her finger at MIN. I tossed
the baby and pretended not to hear. Then
Jim left the room, and Kittie told me she was
going to surprise hVl by coming to the Office
to come home with him some day soon. "Do
you know never have been in that Office"
she said, ard secretly hoped she never would
come
A few DAYS later she came into the dingy
Office, looking like picture in her pretty
new cloak and dainty hat. Jim had just
gone over to Mrs. Wyman's desk to carry
some papers, and through pure Ill luck
picked I'D flower from the bouquet on her
desk and layghingly asked her for it. The
lady graciously gave it, and as he leaned
over reached UP with a smile and pinned it
10 his coat with her own fair fingers. Such
q thing had never happened before and might
never again, but kittie's quick eye caught
the whole thing. She turned red then white.
II didn't know there was lady In the Office
was all she said
Jim, having finished his errand, was walk
ing leisurely back toward his desk when he
saw Kittie. His eyes frightened, and with
glad surprise he hurried toward her, saying
how pleased he was that she had come. Kit
tie replied stiffiy with her eyes fixed upon the
unlucky flower He glanced down, then ne
seemed to understand her manner and there
was an awkward pause, broken shortly by
their starting for home.
''And who is Mr.. Murray's pretty friendp
asked Mrs Wyman of me later.
''His wife, answered sternly.
siHis wife7 What a sweet face! Why,
never imagined that boy was married." she
said with surprise.
$50 inferred, !" was all replied as turned
and left her.
The next day Jim seemed Ill at ease, and /
couldn't help noticing he hurried through
any work he had at Mrs. Wyman's desk.
She seemed perfectly unconscious of any
change of manner, and 1 truly believe never
suspected there had been the least trouble,
and was as frank and friendly as ever toward
him, speaking Of his wifes beauty and her
surprise that he was married.
They had been painting the building that
our office was in. and some scaifolding had
been pa up over the door. "a dangerous
looking arrangement" had heard one of the
men mutter as be passed under it. A strong
y-ind was blowing just as Jim was going out
y the door, and the thing toppled and fell,
burying him beneath it. He was taken out
senseless, and it was found that beside slight
injury to his head his leg was broken. He
soon recovered consciousness, and the doctor
set his leg and we took him home
Mrs. Wyman came to me as we were start
ing ''The firm will bear all expense, of
course" she said, ''but if there is anything /
can do for that dear little girl wife, please
let me know and let me help her." She was
so earnest that / couldn't help taking her |
hand, and promising her that if we needed |
her she should come.
Poor Kittiel She was terribly frightened,
and so conscience stricken because she had
been cross to Jim. ''Oh, viii he die!" she
asked over and over aSuin. The doctor as
Rred her there was no danger of dying, but
that he would need nursing and care. "Have |
you any grown person whom you can get to |
help youF' he said, as he took in Jim, Kittia, |
Ned and the little maid of all work at . |
glance She looked disrnayed; they knew no
body. Then / delivered Mrs. Wymans mes
sage. Kittie hesitated moment, then con-
sented, Like the dear httie girl that she was.
So Mrs. Wyman was sent for. The mo-
ment she entered the sick room she seemed
transformed. AL the bitterness and hard
ness gone-she was sweet, tender, wonnanly.
Jim was lying white and stiA on the bed,
Baby Ned stroking his pale hand and softly
saying: ''P-o-oor Daddy Jim" Kitty stood
beside the bed weeping. Mrs Wyman went
quickly to her, and taking her in her arms,
IF my baby had lived she would
have been almost rs old as you, dear" And
[ know Kittie was conquered, for she put her
arms about her neck and they kissed each
other and cried together woman fashion,
while looked on and blewsny pose furious
v, and kept saying it was strange where /
rot such a snnfy cold.
Well, there isn't much more to tell Jim
got on famously, and all on account of his
excellent nursing.
The very first place he went when he was
.ble to walk was to the little chapel around
ne corner with a merry little wedding party
Mrs Wynen was the bride, and being mod
st, won't mention the groora'sname; but
ne man who gave the bride away was Daddy
Jim--Marie More Marse in Mad and Ex-
press.