The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-09


This last note is drawled out in mis-
cradle attempt at profound bass by
the freshest, sweetest, clearest voice in
the world, and is followed by a silvery
peal of laughter SO like a birds joyous
trill that for a moment am inclined to
think it is only a continuation of the
chorus of the little songsters that have
been singing outside my window all
morning. But a moments reflection
convinces me otherwise, and rise slow
~ from my desk, where l have been
struggling all morning with a perplex
ing account book, and glance out of my
window in the direction whence the
sound proceeds.
1t is one of the loveliest, sunniest May
days. The sky is cloudless-bl The
orchard is powdered with snowy apple
blossoms, which last nights rain has
washed from the trees, and standing I'M
der them, rifing them of their remain
ing glories, are my sister Genevieve and
her devoted lover, Charley Somers. This
young man has been, to use the house
maids expression, changing around"
We've for many months, and while he is
not particularly brilliant nor particular
ly wise, he is good and kind, and what is
more-at least to US in our financial en-
barrassments-rich.
We've has many admirers, for she is
lovely and winsome, but willful in the
extreme. At present her choice seems
60 hot, nd
another Professor Moore, in our col
lege-which college is the pride and de-
light of our village. The latter met
Genevieve last season at famous water
ing place, whittier she had been taken by
one of our friends, a gay, worldly woman
who delights to act as chaperon to lovely
young girls, as an excuse for mingling
in the gayeties of such places herself,
and then when the season is over allows
them to drift back to their quiet, dull
country homes and narrow, sordid lives.
Whether this is wise or useful expert
ence for young girls very much doubt,
but at any rate it has not spoiled Gene
We've. She comes back to us fresh and
gay and smiling as ever; takes up the old
burdens with only an occasional out
break when some pressing economy is
needed, or something which she considers
especially mean has to be done because
there isno money with which to do better.
We are very poor. My mother died
when We've was three years old and our
brother still baby. To me these chill
dren are my life. For their dear sakes
no sacrifice is too great. Our old coun-
try home is lovely and comfortably fitted
up, but when my father died, five years
ago, we found ourselves almost destitute,
with only the barest pittance for an in
come. This am trying bravely to exc
out until our boy is old enough to put
his shoulder to the wheel Anything to
keep the old home together and keep my
lovely young sister under my wing,
rather than send her out, in her beauti-
full freshness, to labor for her daily bread
and grow hardened in so doing.
We have the most absurdly ridiculous
nicknames. l was christened Elanor in
the delusive hope, Isuppose, that would
grow up into a tall, stately princess, to
alasl like many human hopes-all vain!
To the whole neighborhood Miss Elanor
West is only dumpy, stout little spin
ster, with glasses awry on her nose and
an everlasting account book in her hand.
Later in life Genevieve dubbed me Eve.
because of my inordinate curiosity-stin
later Adam, because, she asserted laugh
ingly, had the curiosity of Eve and
Adam combined. So this latter has
grown to be my constant appellation.
We have all sorts of quaint names for
her. The boy was christened Ethelbert,
but in my younger days, acting as a
mother to him, l called him Treasure"
mostly. This soon shortened into
"Tredge" in our familiar, affectionate
way; so Tredge he is, and Tredge he
will be to the end of the chapter
CHANGING out of the window I see
We've and Mr.. Somers sauntering slowly
toward the house. She is bright and
gay-he, moody and desperate looking.
We've swings her broad hat carelessly
on her arm, and | see that the wicked
girl has decorated the poor young man
with apple blooms until he looks like
veritable Bottom. But ! also see that
be is fercelv plucking them off, and as
they pass through the hall the floor is
strewn with the delicate, dainty things
which he has cast from him. She gives
me wicked glance as they pass my
door, while he bestows upon me courte-
ous, cool-very cool-good morning,
Miss Elanor," and hurries ont through
the gate. Genevieve rushes in with O
boiSterous:
"Well, Ad, who neIt:"
''Oh, We've" l say ruefully, chat
young man has gone and done it again,
/ know"
He has, dear old Ad.' she admits.
"But think this time is the last. ]
would not, Adj could not be so mean
and small, you know
She throws herself az my feet, her
head upon my knees, her eyes wander
ing out to the orchard, where. evidently,
a very tragic scene has taken place. She
goes on hurriedly:
Il know said if Charley Somers ever
proposed 10 me again / would accept. !
know | said | was tired of this pinching
hfe-for' timidly, you know il Is pinch
ing, Al. dear. know ! said | had heard
of the great inconvenience of living in