Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-01-08
OVERHEARD WHISPERS.
How They Spoiled Schemers
Wen-Laid Plans.

A certain number of days ago my at
tention was directed coward young
man of not altogether prepossessing APP
pearance, who appeared to be waiting
nearly opposite to my window for the
coming of some other person. His
countenance was expressive OS vacant
insipidity, his gait irregular and his
manner confused. His dress was non
descript, very effective, NO doubt, but
quite inappropriate either to business
occupation or to the pursuit of legiti-
mate pleasure.
He paced backward and forward from
corner to corner, with an air of self-saS-
isfaction ludicrous to behold. Some
times he strolzed the corners of j. very
pale mustache, at others he bit the fin
gers of his curiously-tinted gloves, and
after waiting some time, l noticed chat
his step quicl1ened, a sickly smile passed
over his face, and he advanced with an
extended hand toward young lady who
was approaching quietly.
A sweet little creature she wase toe.
Her innocent face wore pleased eB-
preston, and she blushed a little as she
recognized tho man. She was by no.
means beautiful; but she was tastefully
appareled. Her quiet dress contraseed
strangely with his dandy gaudinesaA and
there was quiet attractiveness lie hex
bearing generallys which interested me
very much. She could not have been
more than sixteen, think; and looked
from her TO her companion. Were they
lovers? If sCs I pitied her exceedingly.
She gave him her hand with a confiding
smile-a dainty little hand it was. Me
raised it 20 his lips.
This act of gallantry convinced me %
itself that there was something wrong.
No gentleman would have attempted
such breach of etiquette in the public
street.
They passed from my sight together,
and L could not resist the notion chat
their meeting was a secret one-Shaa
her friends knew nothing OF hes &C.
quaintance with this Adonis, coward
whose face her eyes turned lovinglye q
was sorry for her and wondered how it
would all end. Would she discover her
error, or did she love him despite all OBJ
stacles? And was it IN his power to
make her happy?
A few hours later they passed my
window again. The same quiet conf
dence seemed to exist between theme
9 He had evidently eXerted his utmost
power of fascination. Her hand rested
upon his arm, and she was listening Pho
tently to his conversation They pareed
at the spot where they had met, and his
last words We're uttered in that peculiar
whisper which is so much more oeasily
heard than an ordinary tone of voice.
caught the following words: ''Remem-
Der, darling, Wednesday at eleven. S'he
Southeastern station"
Was it an elopement he was plan-
ming? l thought She was con-
fused, but saw that she assented to
his desire and was loath to part from
him then; but at last she tore herself
away and walked thoughtfully elOwp
the street, turning once round and
blushing very much when she saw that
he was watching her retreating foot
steps.
Wednesday at IL! This was Monday
evening. But after all, why should the
designation interest me? What had I
to do with it, except that I had much
sympathy with the girl when l noticed
the gratified, selfish satisfaction with
which he passed rapidly in the opposite
direction.
There is strange fatality about coin
cidence. The next morning being Tues
day 1 had an appointment at Holloway;
and. as usually do on such occasions,
l took the tramway.
Having business on hand had quite
forgotten, for the first time, my interest
in the couple had seen the day before.
Ny thoughts, in fact, We're very wan
derihg ones. They always are during
these short journeys, for the number OF
strange people, the variety of individual
taste expressed in their apparel. and the
curious remarks and snatches of broken
conversation (Which all the passengers
must overhear), help to create a sort OF
chaos in my mind and send me DOING
physically and mentally.
Upon entering the car was followed
by two ladies, who seated themselves
opposite to me and thus attracted my
attention.
One of these ladies was past the mid.
die age, a widow, apparently. The
other was some years her junior, but