The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-24
MY MISS SMITH.

| MADE 1t pleasanter for young men VINO de
sired to pay them attention Whatever
else they said, they were sure to say that.
| was very young-barely large enough
as yet to wear high hats and dress coats on
occasions of importance-andt though sol
EMMY shaved twice a week, all that APP
| peared on the edge of the razor was little
pale yellow down.
was to go into business in New York,
to take the place of a son of a certain Peter
Smith, who had insisted upon going upon
the stage instead of into the cotton bust
ness.
Old Mr.. Smith was, had heard. con-
stantly prisoner in his own room in con-
sequence of the govt, and his daughter,
Miss Smith, was to come on board the ves-
sci to receive me. | remembered afterward
that had never heard Miss Smiths age
mentioned, but supposed her to be ma
| ture spinster.
you can't remember Miss Smith, I am
| sure" said my elder sister, who had
brought me up, our parents having been
taken from US while | was yet a child.
| But she used to come to see US often when
you were four years old, and admired you
| greatly. 1t is likely that she will think
! you ought to have some recollection of a
little horse and wagon she gave you"
"A horse and wagonW said |.
"Yes," said Sophia; "and you'd better
pretend to remember it, for know she is
very touchy-very touchy indeed"
Ipromised to do so. As my sister and
her husband intended following me in six
months our parting was not melancholy
one. My voyage was pleasant, and / ar
rived in New York without having met
! with any unusual experiences.
1t appeared to me absurd that I should
have been sent over to be called for as if /
were a parcel; but as it had been done
waited in the cabin like a lamb until one
of the walters appeared, bearing upon
salver card which he presented to me. I
read it and started to my feet.
miss Smith is here, then?" said L
"Yes, SIR" replied the waiter.
And followed him into the presence of
lady in a gray walking suit, who came
running toward me, holding out both
hands.
II was so afraid you would not wait for
mel" she said.
had expected an elderly lady. The per-
son who addressed me was both young
and pretty, and l hesitated moment be-
fore returning her greeting.
"This is Miss Smith," asked.
yes" she answered. "And this is Mr..
John Smith,"
l bowed and held out my hand.
st is all right, Johnny" she added. LET
US get into the carriage at once. Is every
thing arranged about your baggages Dear
me, how strange to see you again after all
these yearsl How you have alteredp'
Naturally" said. 81 was such little
fellow when you saw me last"
Il am older than you, you know" said
she, as we took our seats in the carriage.
"Yes your hair used to curl; but suppose
you have forgotten me entirely"
Her lip quivered. She was touchy, as my
sister had said fastened to soothe her.
Forgotten you? No, indeed" said 1.
81 was speaking only yesterday of the toy
horse and wagon you gave me-"
did II" said she. Il had forgotten all
about that What sort of a horse was it?"
"Oh. brown" said l mendaciously; land
little wagon with wheels"
She nodded.
"Yes, think family remember" said
she. at has been sad, has it not, never to
see each other all these years?"
AS | had no remembrance whatever of
Miss Smith, knew that spoke in some
what formal and conventional tone when l
replied, Extremely So" and in moment
more saw that tears stood in her eyes,
and that she was trying to wipe them away
with her handkerchief without letting me
perceive the fact.
She was so pretty and so sweet that I
really felt myself quite a brute. drew
near to her and began:
my dear Miss SMITH
Il l.. l. L. 81 L.. IL
flaming and her lip Quivering.
England must be the stiffest meanest,
most dreadful placei" said she You are
like poker, or a column Of ice, or some
thing. Miss Smith TO mel suppose they
do so over there; but it enrages me. I've
been longing to see you-thinking OF you,
remembering how nice you were, feeling
as if the world would change for the better
as soon as ! saw you, and you call me Miss
Smith, as If we had had quarrelP'
II suppose we are more formal on the
other side" said l. at is the custom over
there"
IAN abominable custom" said she |
"Therel am not angry, but Oh, John |
ny. Johnny! suppose ought TO have re-
mem bered how long it was"
"You see," said l, II felt surprised. /
expected to see a spinster; | had no idea |
you were so young. l haven't got ever !
the surprise"
How queer men are," said she. "Of |
course l am older than you, but we are |
just Of an age to enjoy ourselves together. |
Now. aren't wew
"Of course" said L
Call me Tiny, and kiss me, then" said |
Miss Smith.
Well might they have told me that !
American girls were freer in their man
ners than English maidens" ! thought /
Then | put my arm about her waist, and /
said:
My dear Tiny, don't think any man
could be cold 70 you. even after being An
gIicized so thoroughly as have been"
oh, that English way IS not bad" she
said quietly, patting NY hand and return
ing nv kiss with interest," IT'S gentle
manly, and you are well dressed. I'm
quite proud OF you. and Wen live together
al our lives, and never. never part again
VIII we:H
! sat dQmfounded This was going on
rapidly. Ev!Geatly this American Mss
Smith had takea advantage OF leap year,
and was making 81 offer Of Ter heart aud
hand
There you are silent again" said she
"Oh, joint | believe you have fallen IN
love with soInebody-that Toa are engaged
TO some English girl Tell me q. once If Is
is so. that may not build my poor htsle
air castles only to have them knocked
over"
Il have never 6eeau1ed Of engaging my
self, A." said l. Il haven't been in love. and
] don't think myself u circumstances 10
marry" a