The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-12-16
A DISAPPOINTMENT

grumbled Maj. Monthill, as he tore open
one after another the numerous letters
which lay upon his II o'clock breakfast
table. "If Twas Midas himself couldn't
pay 'em all-and l wouldn't either.
There's only one alternative left open to
me that know of-and that is marrying
an heiress."
The major eyed himself critically in
the opposite mirror. He was tall, hand
some Apollo of a military gentleman,
with well preserved teeth, hair and
whiskers, bright hazel eyes, and gen.
eral air Of stylishness.
Yes, "quoth the major, Unjust marry
rich-and Lefty Price is the woman.
She's as ugly as a Gorgon-what very
unpleasant looking females those Cor
CONS must have been. by the way, to get
themselves such reputation for homli-
ness; but man must overlook minor de-
fects when his settlement in life is at
stake. I've been gay young bachelor
long enough; l must really turn my at
tention seriously to Lefty Price. But
there are several preliminaries to be con-
sidered, and one is that she has lover
| for every day in the week, and every
| lover believe a more genuine fortune
hunter than myself. 1t takes policy to
outgeneral so many suitors, and I've got
to look sharpif expect to win the prize ="
Miss Lefty Price was rather after the
GorgOn style OF womankind. Maj. Mont
hill was right in his criticism of her style.
She was fat and stout and ungraceful,
with a dumpy figure, short neck, green
ish gray eyes, reddish brown hair, a
turned up moose and teeth broken and
decayed. Her complexion was muddy
and her chin retreated, and altogether
she was a picture that sorely needed the
| glitter of a golden frame to set it off.
But then Miss Letty's grandfather was
worth 5000, 900, and she was consequently
what the newspapers call society
favorite." People listened when she
spoke, and laughed obsequiously at her
jokes and admired her taste in dress,
and Miss Lefty, naturally of confiding
and credulous disposition, believed it ALL
With Maj. Monthill to will was to do,
and no sooner did he make up his mind
that he must marry an heiress, and that
heiress Miss Letitia Price, than he set
vigorously about concentrating the af-
fair. Bouquets, drives in the Central
park, books and photographs. soft chances
and POLITICALLY favored quotations were
all alike the engines OF his warfare;
and when at length the time had arrived
in his estimation to strike thefna blow.
he dressed himself in the guise of Nine
tenth century exquisite, and went to
call on Miss Price
1T seems to me-" said the heiress, who
had contrived to make her blowsy cheeks
a shade blowsier than ever by hideous
ruby silk dress, with a scarlet cashmere
scarf looped over it, "that you are unusu-
ally dull this evening, Maj. Monthill."
The major affected to start from deep
and absorbing reverie.
"Ah, Miss Price, you of all others
should not reproach me with my lack of
spirits" he said sentimentally.
And why not?" demanded Miss Lefty,
with elephantine playfulness.
= y
well that my heart is racked by contend
ing emotions"
I'm sure" quoth the heiress, looking
down at the point of her Marie Antoi-
nette slippers, 81 don't know why it
should be racked."
Because l love you, and dare not
speak my lover'
Miss Price colored and essayed faint
little giggle.
I'm sure, major, don't see any ne
cessity for such timorousness.
Because" impreSsively went on the
major, looking unutterable things into
the greenish gray orbs-his own ewes
were an exquisite wine brown, and well
he was aware Of his advantages in this
respect-"because yeu are rich and am
poor, and l have registered a solemn
VOW upon the tablets Of my own soul
never to wed an heiress!"
La" said Miss Price.
"Of all men," said Maj Monthill. 81
am the least mercenary. 4 roof TO shell
ter me from the driving storm, crust,
a glass Of clear cold water from the
epIlnS--tudl al want money
spurn, gold is my bugbear. And yet,
dear Letitia-nay, let me call you thus
for once-fate has decreed that should
hopelessly lose my heart to one who is
unfortunately rich"
Miss Price burst into tears and i'm
pulslvely put her fat hand into the
majors slender palm.
Don't talk tina: way Marmaduke,"
she sobbed, "and don't look at me with
those mournrul eyes. or yeu1 break my
heart"
''Letitia. do you then love me-
Yes, YES. do" walled the heiress
Il love you with all 10y soul"
Alas" grosned the major. that two /
such hearts as ours should De parted by /
a wall Of gold"
But they sha'n't be- asserted Lefty, I
her nose growing red and her ewes I
twinkling in the enthusiasm Of the mo- 4
ment. No. Marmsduke, no, Not if 1
srandpspa was ter times as obstinate I
and pig headed Is be Is !.