The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-25

even seen him! Good joke, eh, Mis-
Winifred?''
But Winifred did not even smile. 81:
he badly hurtY' she asked, gravely.
''Pretty serious case;" and DR.. Lane
went into details that Winifred could no.
understand. 80, you see, you may have
him on your hands for some time t.
come, he continued, in conclusion. "But
we'll save him, if we can, Ell, Miss Wini
| fred, though he is a Yankee?'
Winifred made no reply; but the col
onel, who had come in a moment before
said, little stiffiy:
sit is an unfortunate occurrence,
much to be regretted. We must hope
that the accident may have no untoward
ending"
''Look out, Miss Winifredr' cried DR..
Lane, laughing.
Winifred was very angry. "There is
no occasion to say that to me~ she re-
torted.
well, I hope you won't find him an
insurmountably Objectionable guest,
said DR.. Lane, good humoredly. He is
a friend of your aunt's, 1 understand,
colonel"
Yes" the colonel answered, still with
stiffness; "but under the circumstances
any man would be entitled to my hospi,
tality, sir"
This was a sentiment in which Miss
Elvira fully concurred, though she was
dismayed beyond measure when she
learned who was the guest an untoward
accident had sent to Thorne Hill. sit is
really a great embarrassment" she la
| mented to Winifred. "Of course. your
Aunt Pauline and Flora can't come to see
us now"
1T isn't matter of choice to have
| Capt Fletcher here, said Winifred, with
an impatient sigh.
That is true" Miss Elvira agreed, in
tone Of relief eve had, indeed, no
choice; it was altogether providential."
This view of the situation she repeat
ed to Mrs. Theodore Scott, who called
the next day. 1t had been Mrs. Theo-
dore SCOTS deliberate choice to have
Capt. Fletcher at her house, Miss Elvira
reflected, with q comfortable sense of
superiority.
Mrs. Theodore Scott, with heightened
color, fastened to assure Miss EIvira
that she likewise had had no choice; she
had extended hospitality to this soldier
of the northern army from a sense of
duty.
Il know very we'll that people have
thought hard of me-, she said, tearfully;
but the man was ii: he came to ITALIA
hassee for his health, and here he was.
i'll among strangers. And his mother
was my friend, dear Miss Winifred, -" she
continued, addressing herself to the
young girl, as to a more sympathetic
listener; what could do:"
'tIou know best, Of course, Mrs.
Scott, said Winifred. coldly.
Yes, she was my friendw Mrs. Scott
repeated, with some asperity, feeling
that she had not received the hearty in
dorsement she had hoped for from Win
fired. Il was poor, friendless little
thing at school, and Adelaide Hardy,
who was a good deal older than l, was
always my champion. And this was
not all; her father was rich and mine
was poor, and it was through her kind
ness and liberality that l enjoyed adj
vantagesI could not otherwise have had.
She is dead now, but I don't forget all
she did for me-"
No" said Winifred. ''you could not
forget that" She rose and moved rest
lessly about the room, and at last came
and stood beside Mrs. SCOTS chair; she
felt a strong, incomprehenSiDle impulse
to stoop and kiss that lady, bat she re-
sisted it.
Il am a southerner, and I have the
sentiments Of a southerner." Mrs. Scott
continued, with some excitement, "as
Capt. fletcher knows: but I receive him
for his dear motnor's sake; and tins I
can say for him-he Is gentleman
OF course" said Winifred, crisply.
"My Aunt Winifreds friend must be a
gentleman"
If it had not been for the war; MIS-.
Scott exclaimed, with q bitter sigh. 'As
my husband says, Capt. Fletcher has
come too late for the old times, and too
soon for the new. Mr.. Scott, you know,
dear Miss Elvira, is such a sufferer from
that wound hereceived at Shiloh-hardly
ever leaves the house, and the captain is
so kind about playing chess With him.
OF course we avoid all discussions OF the
war, and so I would advise you to do,
Miss Winifred."
Il have 10 wish to discuss any subject
with him. except my brother Nicholas"
Winifred replied coldly.