Wichita eagle., 1890-02-02

Us, and"-
He stopped abruptly, and turned upon
his heel, for Thomas Tyler and the farm
er's daughter were coming up the walk
bearing the basket Of clothes between
| them.
That evening, when the supper table
was cleared away, and Mr.. Tyler had
gone down the road to the village, Sam
uel Dale, after some difficulty-for the
girl of late had been shy of his company
procured an interview with Susie Bar
clay.
at has been on nv mind to speak to
you, SUSIE" he said, ''for week, but
you would never give me the chance.
! You know how matters have stood be-
tween us these three years. We have
kept company together ever since 1
came to Barclay Farm, and though I've
never asked you to name the day, l
think you've known my mind well
enough. / am not a man of many
words, and haven't the wit to fatter
you with soft speeches, but love you,
Susie Barclay. VIII you take me for a
husband this day month";
ia, Mr.. Dale!'' said the girl, with a
toss of her pretty head, chow you startle
me! Take you for husband, indeed!
am too young to marry this long while
yet. ! am sure l don't know my own
mind three days together. And 1 am
wife, and it's better for both of Us to
wait while, and'-
He interrupted her: "Susie, l have
courted you three years. If l wait long
er, it will be to see another man carry
you off in month. You've known me
long enough to learn your own mind
about me. You must take me now, or
you must let me CO."
81 am sure you are free to go if you
like" she said, flushing; "theres no
body to hinder you. You have no right
to speak to me like that. / am not your
servant, Samuel Dale. l never prom
ised to marry you, and perhaps never
will"
You tell me that said the young
man, bitterly, latter keeping me in
hand all these years! Susan Barclay,
are you going to play me false, that you
may marry man you never heard Of
three months agoE'
any one:"
''Do l need to be told? Haven't l
watched you since the day that man set
his foot in your fathers house? And
because l trusted you, and thought
you'd known me too long to be taken
with newcomer, you carried on your
counting before my eyes. You false,
hard hearted girl! But no, you never
were that. It's only that this smooth
faced coxcomb has bewitched you. Oh,
Susie! can't you tell him there's an hon
est heart that's loved you true these
three years and SO with a frank word
send him packing?'
IF it's Mr.. Tyler you are talking
about" said Susie Barclay, ''you may set
your mind at rest, for there's nothing
but friendship between us. He's never
so much as asked me to marry him; but
he's pleasant, civil spoken gentleman,
that doesn't call people names behind
their backs; and I'll not stay here to be
scolded, Samuel Dale; and I'll die an old
maid before I'll marry the cross husband
you will make"
us that your last word to me?" he
said, sorrowfully. Then l have my
answer, and Barclay Farm is no place
for me, though l thought to spend my
days here. It's manners for the old love
to go when the new love comes. Well,
good night, Susie. l wish you well,
though you've given me a sore heart to
carry; but curses on the man that's come
between me and my girl.'
She stole sidelong glance, and when
she saw how his ruddy cheek had turned
pale, and his mouth was set in gloomy.
resolute expression, her heart softened
toward him. But she did not put her
pity into words. She listened to his slow,
heavy steps as he mounted the stairs to
his chamber, till the gate opened with a
sharp click, and she heard Thomas Tyler's
brisk tread as he came up the walk.
Then she ran to the kitchen glass to ar
range the knot of pink ribbons under her
chin, and thought no more Of Samuel
Dale that night.
The poor fellow could not sleep for his
aching heart; and when, an hour later,
his room mate came in, whistling softly
to himself, with his black eyes shining,
Samuel Dale lay and watched him from |
between his half closed lids.
The man took writing materials from |
his trunk, and was soon busiiy at work, /
bending closely to bis task. He appeared |
10 be making copy of letter spread |
put before him; and when it was COM |
pleted, and he held up the two docu-
nents side by side, it seemed to Samuel |
Dale at the distance where he hay that |
,he work was well done, for the copy |
night have been mistaken for the orig |
nal. Mr.. Tyler scanned the result of his
abor critically, nodded his head once or
vice in appreciation; then, locking the
papers in his trunk, betook himself TO bed.
The farmer was twice surprised the |
lext day. Samuel Dale announced his |
Intention of leaving the farm when his
year was out, and his daughter, with |
miles and bushes, informed him that
he had passed her word, provided he
vas willing, to take Thomas Tyler for a
"Why, Susie" said the old man, you
trike me all of heap! Sammy Dale
las been waitin' for you these three
ears, and YOU are as good as promised
Ill