The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-06-15


every day. He asked if there was any
one belonging to me for whom he could
send.
Only Uncle Jeb," said 1. "He hates
me because | went on the stage, but if
the curtain is going to ring down on me
1t would only be showing him proper at
tention to inform him"
l gave my cross old uncle's address.
Behold! Uncle JED sent back a check for
$1,000, and letter telling the doctor not
TO let me die. ''She is a silly child" he
wrote, 'but her heart is in the right
place, except for being set on the stage"
I wept over that letter, and thought it
rather nice to be dying.
One day DR.. Katesby brought his
mother, and the next thing l knew
1 was taken to their home to get
we'll" got well so slowly that l won
! dered the doctor did not lose patience
But he didn't. One afternoon he sat by
me long while, telling meof girl who
had Tilted him, and who, he thought, had
| broken his heart forever. sat up straight
in bed and vowed that of all things
love was the unkindest, most unsatis-
factory, cruelest, worst in the world.
/ We talked long time, and he seemed to
think as l did. In the end we shook
hands and he said: 1--WE will be friends,
Miss Katie, forever"
Eyes" said l, shaking his hand in both
of mine, land I'm awfully grateful to
you. Friendship is so nice, and l do
want iti' OF a sudden | determined to
secure matters, and 1 looked at him
as solemnly as l knew how and said:
Promise me sacredly that you will
never talk to me any way but this way,
never look at me except as you are look
ing now, and never, never kiss me-" He
shook hands again, and l went on: 'We
will be just friends always"
GAS long as you like" said he.
ooh, l shall like it always" I an
swered. Il never go back on a friend.
Friendship is the best thing in the world
the only safe, happy, comfortable thing
isn't it? And we should be very CRATE
full for the happy friendship between
U.S."
He said Eyes," and so it was settled.
got well; was perfectly happy. The
doctor was always good to me. He was
never too busy to let me come into his
office. He even let me pound pills and
wash out bottles and dust his instru-
ments. Sometimes, when Mrs. Katesby
was tired, used TO see to his breakfast,
and even when he discovered that Imade
IL 7 e i 7.
to me that no one had ever been so kind
to me.
At last 1 was well enough to go to New
York for my May engagements. The
evening before was to start l sat up for
the doctor Mrs. Katesby had kissed me
and told me to- Invent wandering about,
touching things that belonged to him. /
had queer feeling in my heart. l had
been SO happy, and now to go away and
perhaps never-I heard his key and ran
to open the door.
what, little girl-up?' said he.
Yes" l answered: your mother told
me to serve your midnight tea. l don't
think you should have midnight tea, but
l suppose a doctor knows"
Il suppose So" said he, as L helped
him take off his coat.
l was so quiet at the table that he
asked: Anything the matter
"Only-Im - going tomorrow, you
know" 1 returned, land you wouldn't
believe how strange it makes me feel
here, and 1 rubbed my hand over the
pain in my side.
your heart?" he asked.
"Yes-downright miserable" 1 an
swered.
He laughed only softly, but felt hurt,
and all of a sudden / could not see. He
must have observed that L was pouring
tea into the sugar bowl, for he called me
to him. l thought it troubled him to
look up. So kneIt down.
when you go away" he asked, will
you remember we are friends"
Eyes, said /.
Forever"
Yes, said again, in dull voice.
''Tell me, Katie" he continued. lay
ing a hand on each of my shoulders,
have l treated you Is you wished-as
promisedF' | nodded, and the tears
came up. He looked at me moment, I
then said softly. Friendship is the best (
thing in the world, the only safe, happy,
comfortable thing, isn't it, dear! and we
should be very grateful for the happy +.
friendship between us / nodded 50 +
hard that the tears spattered my hands. /
He stood up quickly. 4 am of early I.
tomorrow. and viii say gcod-by now. .
Be good in New York. l shall come (
about the 18th TO see you"
He held out his hand It was Just /
what friend would do, Of course. / .
put first one hand and then the ether I
into IT, Then, as he closed his over both, /
/ bent ard kissed it and said: "Good-by. !.
You have been very good to me. Please, /
please don't forget me"
When l get upstairs lay down On the /
floor and wept I'LL my mead was In a 4
puddle.
Hrs. Katesbv wrote to me sometimes 1
after came away. she was 50 lonely 4
that she sent for . niece The doctor /
liked MS cousin very much. thought /
about ire cousin al Gay and all night.
At last the l4th Of the month came. 4
That night played 50 well tse manager
offered a rise for the next season. The +
18th was SUNDAY. lie came. talked 4
Ike nlagpie and spoke OF everything
but the cousin. When / MAS talked cut
he began de questioned Me closely
about The theatre.
lob. yes. said I, ''t9ere Is . man. o. J