The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-05
ELIAS LOVE AFFAIR.

veil developed limos.
| do not suppose that any one had
sver thought her pretty, but she was al
Idly as a waiting maid in a comedy, and
The futing and plating that she wore
dpon her cap and apron were miraculous
AS for her face, it shone with much wash.
ing, having polished spots on the cheek
bones and chin, the curve Of her high
nose and the two prominent points of hel
forehead. Not hair escaped from the
smooth, dark, tight braid at the back Of
her head, nothing about her was ever
out of order.
fancy she was nearer 40 than 80 al
this time, but l know that Thomas
Trip, the coachman, was 40, for lie
said So
Forty, and III be going on for an old
bachelor before long," he said. I've
got to look out and marry soon, haven't
|, Missus Cook"
Marriage, Mr.. Thomas" said Eliza
over her shoulder-she was busy with a
pudding-'is a matter haven't taken
much thought of, being a spinstress my
self"
Not by no means, Missus Cook" said
Thomas-"not by no means. A fine tig-
ure of woman, with opportunities to
change her condition, has no call to men
ton herself by that name"
"Old maids is honorable" said Eliza.
"Ay, and I've heard them say that
old bachelors was abominable, by way
of making a rhyme to it, said Thomas
Trip I'm goin' to marry. How about
your"
"F1 wait until somebody offers, and
then think it over" said Eliza.
was sitting on the window sill eat
ing a cake, and remember that | could
see no reason why Eliza should stop her
work and chase Thomas out of the
kitchen with a dish towel at that mo-
ment, but he seemed TO like it.
After that | used to find him there
very often. They were always sitting
on chairs at great distance apart look
ing silly when came in, and Eliza al
ways thought that it would be better
for my health to ''go and eat my nice
cake in the garden, because the kitchen
was so warm"
Shortly it was known that Eliza Boer-
am and Thomas Trip were engaged TO
be married, and would stay on in the
family in their several capacities.
We were quite excited about the we'd
ding, and the room above the coach
house was furnished with comparative
splendor.
1t was just at this time that Selma,
our somewhat venerable waitress, re-
'ired on her savings, and it was neces-
;4ry to get a new girl in her place. 1t
aas Eliza who begged my mother to
take Lofty Lavender
you see" said Eliza. ''it will be such
q wonderful thing for the girl to get into
y good family She's been let to run
about from one place to another, and she
never has a dollar left to put away.
Being with young, giddy folks she fol-
lows them, but with settled people like
me and Mr.. Thomas she'll have no temp
tation. Her mother is friend of my
own, and she says only yesterday:
"'Oh, Liza, if she can have your good
example shall be truly thankful >"
And so Lofty came TO us. A pretty,
peach checked, blue eyed creature with
u belt not half yard long, and a coquet-
fish manner that made her very attract
i've to my young eyes.
In the kitchen at first it was quite
charming TO see Lofty taking the advice
of those older and wiser than she, and
going TO church with Thomas and Eliza
On Sunday evening; but alas! this is
changeful world
Young as | was | soon saw that
Thomas stared long and often at the new
waitress and was less devotedly atten-
tive TO his Eliza found Eliza alone in
the kitchen in a very low spirited mood,
while Lofty was. knew. talking "A walk
with Thomas And one day at dessert a
strange thing happened
Lofty was just bringing in a dish of
fruit, walking with unusual airineSs
and looking prettier than ever. when a
howl was heard upon the stairs, and
saw Thomas rushing stableward with
his handkerchief to his eye. and at the
same instant Eliza appeared behind
Lofty with her fingers extended like
talons
In a moment more the girls cap was
off, her embroidered apron IL tatters,
the fruit dish on the ground, the peaches
and pears rolling about the floor, and
Eliza disappeared down the kitchen stairs,
dragging Lofty by her long, back hair
The minister and his wife were dining
with US. The situation was shocking.
is the girl out of her mind" asked
my father.
Temporarily, replied mamma
Then the minister's wife began TO tell
a story of a certain cook who went out
Of her mind and murdered the whole
family, and ! WAS very much alarmed
for my own safety and that OF the kitten.
Later, when we were alone. Eliza ap-
peared before my mother, neat as usual,
but with swollen eyes.
II suppose after the exhibition have
made of myself, ma'am. / had better
look for another place? It's past excuses,
know"
1T was very shocking, Eliza" said
my mother, ''but prefer that Lofty
should go. have told her so.
"Ma'am," said Eliza. you are an an
gel Of forgiveness, and have feelin'
heart that is not Given 70 most ladies.