The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-20
heard it.
We a Nd WAR


Half an hour later, Mrs. Armytage and
Mrs. Dimmock were alone in the garden,
when a numbering carriage rolled to the
gate. Col. Armytage, of the Union
army, was the man who alighted. His
hair was white enough for seventy years,
but his skin was sufficiently rudy and
smooth for fifty; and his age was a fair
compromise betwixt the two-that is,
sixty. He kissed his wife and said,
"Your color indicates some sort Of emo
ton, and that is unusual in you" She
replied, with perfect equanimity. that a
wife ought to be pleasurably agitated Oh
meeting her husband after a separation.
81 have come to take you back to
Springfield" said he.
Mrs. Arnlytage was frightened, and she
furti7ely scanned his face for information
OF the reason; but there was no anxiety
betrayed in her tone when she asked if
they were to go soon. There was more
feeling in the exclamation, Il am glad, y
after he had said. Immediately"
"I'm not" said Mrs. Dimmock.
The arrival Of carriage was not so
and from the house emerged several SER
wants. AS they came toward the colonel
he hastily said to his wife and Mrs. Dim
mock: "Gen. Lyon has arrived at Spring
field. There is to be n forward movement.
We can't leave you longer in a C0nfed-
crate household. Hush-they must not
hear"
May WiIlett came out, and Col. Army
tage was presented to her She well
coined him gracefully; and being told
that her visitors were about to go away,
eaid that she was very sorry, which was
lie that politenoss required of her.
Mrs. Armytage hurried the prepare
tions for departure with all her might,
because she hoped TO avoid meeting
between her husband and Oliver or Tu-
dor. She whispered her purpose to May,
who gave aid to its accomplishment.
Col. Armytage went into the house foE
a glass of water before starting. May
accompanied him. The two wives were
waiting impaticntly in the yard, when
Oliver WiiIett and Tudor Bovine saun-
tered into it together. Mrs. Armytage
fed like a coward into the house. Oliver
attributed her withdrawal to displeasure
at his recent half made avOwal of love,
From Mrs. Dinmock he learned Of the
intended sudden departure, and he con-
nected it instantly with his previous
guess that his love making had given Of
Tense. Mrs. Dimmock made a bold
stroke by saying:
''Col. Armytage is in the house-her
father repeating the latter words so as
to fix them in divers mind, land he
will take US away within five minutes.
Now, listen to me- and she put her arms
carelessly through those Of the men.
''He says the condition of this section is
dangerous. He is Union officer. and the
folks around here are Confederates. Now,
if his identity became known he might
be treated roughly. So please avoid
mentioning his name or his relation to
Miss ArInytage."
Oliver did not answer, but Tudor said:
"When you command, obey, and went
into the house with the able young falsi-
fer.
Mrs. Armytage soon came out, wear |
Ing ndI ana q LSilt CAOSn-, III 4eS11ALlShS
for the ride. On seeing Oliver alone she |
would have retired had he not detained
her.
Here in Missouri, he said, very earn |
estly, "our ways are blunter than yours
of the eastern cities. l love you-you /
know it." She endeavored 20 get past
him, but he stopped her by clasp of her
wrist. a second, l beg. recall the
avowal. do not wish to violate usage
or propriety-I viii ask your fathers
consen TO woo you. he is here, and l |
will speak to him frankly"
Mrs. ATmytaSe perceived the error into |
which Oliver had been led as 70 Col. |
Armytage's relationship to her. She said
enueatingly; No, no-dou't speak 20 !
him.
Why not? Ny love is honorable.
mine is not
This was her hasty thought, uttered /
before she had considered how much OF /
confession il conveyed.
Then you DO love me- said Oliver, |
catching only II o1e phase Of her mean /
ing. .---