The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-28
1853 North Main St. Cor. First,

there's cousin of Dumps at this hotel!
haven't spoken to him. l never had any
acquaintance with him, but do you suppose
he has recognized me? Do, please, give me
in your next your candid, sure enough
opinion about it and say you don't think so.
Do you think he knows about me already
and that is why he left me last evening
when he saw that blushed and trembled
like fool under his eyes? You know
can't bribe all the newspapers.
I can't go back on anybody who was
good to Gunny at Redhorse-not if I'm
pitched out of society into the sea. So the
skeleton sometimes rattles behind the door.
l never cared much before, as you know,
but now-now it is not the same. Jack
Raynor am sure of-he will not tell him.
He seems, indeed, to hold him in such re-
spect as hardly to dare speak to him at all,
and Pm good deal that way myself
Dearl deari / wish I had something be-
sides a million dollarsl If Jack were three
inches taller I'd marry him and go back to
Redhorse, and wear sackcloth again to the
end Of my miserable days.
July 25.
We had a splendid sunset last evening,
and I must tell you all about it. I ran
away from auntie and everybody, and was
walking alone on the beach. I expect you
to believe, you infidel! that I had not
looked out of my window On the seaward
side of the hotel and seen him walking
alone on the beach. If you are not lost to
every feeling of womanly delicacy you will
accept my statement without question. ]
soon established myself under my sun
shade, and had for some time been gaz-
ing out dreamily over the sea when he
approached, walking close to the edge of
the water. 1t was ebb tide. 1 assure you
the wet sand actually frightened about his
feeti As he approached me he lifted his
hat, saying, Miss Dement,, may sit with
you, or will you walk with meY"
The possibility that neither might be
agreeable seems not to have occurred to
him. Did you ever know such assurance?
Assurance2 Ny dear, it was gall-down-
right GALL Well, didn't find it worm
wood, and replied, with my untutored Red
horse heart in my throat. Il shall be
pleased to do anything" Could words
have been more stupid2 There are depths
of fatuity in me, friend O. my soul, which
are simply bottomless
He extended his hand, smiling, and I de-
hvered mine into it without a moment s
hesitation, and when his fingers closed
about it TO assist me to my feet, the con-
sciousness that it trembled made me blush
worse than the red west.
l got up, however, and after while, OBJ
serving that he had not let go my hand,
pulled on it little, but unsuccessfully.
He simply held on, saying nothing, but
looking down into my sace with some kind
of smile-I didn't know-how could I?-
whether it was sffectionate, derisive, or
what, for | did not look at him. How
beautiful he was with the red fires of sun
set burning in the depths Of his eyesi Do
you know, dear, il the Thugs have any
special kind of eyes? All, you should have
seen his superb attitude, the godlike inclin-
alton of his head as he stood over me after
had got upon my feet 1t was noble
picture, but | soon destroyed it, for began
at once to sink again to the earth. There
was only one thing for him TO do, and be
did it: he supported me with an arm about
my waist.
Miss Dement, are you ill?" he said Il
was an exclamation; there was neither
alarm nor solicitude in it. II be had add
ed, Il suppose that is about what am ex-
pected TO say" be would hardly have ex-
pressed his sense OF the situation mora
clearly. His manner filed me with shame
and indignation. for was suffering acute
". / wrenched my hand out OF his, grasped
the arm supporting ne and pushing my
self free fell plump into the sand and sat
helpless. MY hat had come OF IN the strug-
gle and nv hair tumb!ed about ny face
and shoulders IN the most mortifying way
Go away from me, !" cried half choking.
"Oh, please 60 away, you-you Thug How
dare you think that when my leg is asleepsn
/ actually said those identical words
And then broke down and so6bed. Irene,
fear blubberedi
His manner altered in an iustsnt--T
could see that much through my fingers
and hair. He dropped on one knee beside
me, parted the tangle Of hair, and said in
the tenderess way; My poor Siri. God
knows I have not intended 70 pain you
How should IL who love you-I who have
loved you for years.
he had pulled nv wet hands away from
ny face and was covering them with kisses
Ny cheeks were Ike two Goals. my xrole
face wzs flaming and, thtnk. steauinz
hid Il on his shoul6er-tkere was 10 other
place And oh. ny dear friend. how ny
leg tingied and thrilled. and bow wan
TO kick
We sat 50 for long time he Rad re-
leased crse Of my hands 20 press his arm
about me again. and had pcsseSs@i my
self ot my handkerchief and was Gry1ug
nv eyes and nv nose I wozid not 5ook
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