Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-11

then by an effort mastered her emotion
and went on-"was cashier in bank
where had on deposit considerable
sum of money. We met frequently, and
was fascinated by him. He professed
to love me, and we became engaged. My
aunt did what she could to prevent my
marrying him; but as she could urge
nothing against his character she was
forced to fall back upon the time hon
ored and to me contemplate platitudes
that he was nv social inferior-'only a
bank clerk and poor paid no heed
to her. 1 loved him, and love levels all
barriers. Our wedding day drew near;
and as | wished him to make good ap-
pearance and not to feel hampered as to
means to make himself presentable,
| gave him blank check, signed, and told
him to fill it UP for three thousand dol
lars. He filled it up for the entire
amount I had in the bank and fed to
| Canada. I concealed his theft and al
lowed the world to think that from pure
caprice. coquetry, fckleness-whaty you
| will had broken off the match almost
| at the foot of the altar. 1t was readily
believed that, heart broken at my treach-
cry, he had gone away to try and bury
his grief.
''Try to forget him-forgiveness will
follow"
"Row shall set about it," she asked.
"Begin." I said, Shy casting aside
those emblems of mourning which you
wear. Go out into Gods sweet air and
! sunshine, and you will soon return to a
| healthy and normal state of mind"
81 thank you,'' she said, simply. 81
will try"
The next afternoon, with some mis-
givings as to the answer, proposed that
we should make sort Of family party
and visit few places of interest in the
neighborhood. To my surprise and de-
light the invitation was accepted. l OBJ
served with great qualification that Miss
Ives no longer wore mourning, but
suit of delicate pearl gray.
Mother could hardly conceal her graft
fication at my success, and Mrs. Morton
fairly dubbed over with joy.
September came, and still our city
us. Emily's cheeks had resumed their
pristine bloom. the roseate hue of health.
had loved her from the first, and, as
the charm and beauty of her mind and
character unfolded themselves to me, l
adored her. The social difference be-
tween US, my country breeding, above
all, my poverty, held me tongue tied.
And so October came-that loveliest of
all months in the country-and with it
a not altogether unexpected windfall for
me. A suit which for years had been
dragging along in the courts was at last
settled in our favor, and mother and I
divided the snug sum of 900 between
us. The homestead was partly mine,
and would be entirely SO at my mothers
death. Why, why, was rich! l laughed
aloud in my glee; and Miss Ives was
poor. Now, why should not speak?
Come what might, would know my
fate, and end the suspense which was
eating my heart out. And at last my
well guarded secret escaped me. told
her that loved her, and-appalled too
late at my temerity-waited for her to
pronounce my doom or lift me into para
disc.
Miss Ives did not seem as surprised as
I had expected, nor did she show any re-
sentiment
She only seemed to be thinking, but it
was not long before she replied:
Il do not know whether | love you or
not. If | loved--that other-with the
only real love of my life, then I do not
love you; but if
"But Tiff what"
eff that was only passing fancy,
scattered at once and forever to the
winds by his unworthiness"
''Oh, tell me that it was!" I inter
rupted.
This much can tell you, Godfrey"
she said. 81 owe you the deepest graft
tude that woman ever owed to man; and
could the same misfortune befall me as
in my betrothal. and you were the wrong
doer, l could forgive you, as never can
him"
Then you love mel" I cried 81 am
sure you do, for out of love only could
such forgiveness come"
And, unrebuked, gathered her to my
heart.
asked if she would be content to live
at the old country home-she, her aunt,
with mother and me; but, if she would
not, would take her back TO the great
city, for [ was rich now. A queer look
passed over her features when / said I
was rich, causing me to flush and bite
my lip with modification, remembering
how paltry sum $4,000 must appear
to girl who had had $50, 000
Emily acquiesced in ali my PROPOSE
tons and arrangements, and we were
married most unostentatiously at the
old homestead. Emily positively de-
clined to invite any of her friends, SO on
her side her aunt only was present.
Emily declared that she wanted moth
ing that reminded her of her old life.
Mrs. Morton did not like our homespun
ways as well as her niece did, and cheer
ed her days by having a number of New
York papers sent to her. never looked
at them, but one day Emily ran her eye
over newly arrived batch, and sur
prised me by exclaiming in a tone of ir-
ritation;
"Ah, / have not been able to escape
the reporters even herer'
At her words my heart seemed to
stand still. "EScaper' Reporters" af-
ter my wife. What could it mean? To
my rural mind reporters only followed
up those who were wanted for some
The horrible thought
flashed through my mind that perhaps |
had married an adventuress-eve a
II, :, II For l-r,or.- |