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


plored, but she was obdurate. Neither
passionate glances nor tender tones had
power to move her more. Then she
snubbed Lew Hunter and privately voted
him stupid.
Miss Mears noticed capriciousness of
appetite, and was anxiously solicitous.
Did Eleanor sleep we'll nights? Had she q
pain IN her side? A dizzy heads Was her
tongue coated? And wouldn't she have
On porous plaster or wouldn't she take
some tonic bitters? To all of which her
niece objected with laughing contempt.
''What do you think about going to
Chocorua again this summer" inquired
Miss Mears of her niece one morning the
following June. They were sitting at
breakfast, and Eleanor was dallying with
her coffee spoon.
sob. that stupid little town, no. Any
place but there" was the quick response.
''Why," said her aunt, in mild sur
prise, Il thought you liked it so much
last year. / am sure the farm house was
cool, the vegetables fresh, and you know
you thought the river scenery was de-
ightful"
At mention of the river scenery Flea
nor was conscious of pang at her heart
like pain; but she answered carelessly:
"One tires Of things sometimes. Ishould
like change"
That evening as she took down her
long hair in her aunt's room, before re-
firing, she said suddenly, and with a
little nervous futter, Yes, let's go to
Chocorua, auntie; you know you like 1t,
and the Kensels are going, and it's as
good as any place, after all"
Miss Jane Mears received the PROPOSE
ton without surprise. having had TWEEN
ty years experience with the fuctuating
inclinations of her niece. So it was ar
ranged.
A month later found them settled.
There were numerous gay young peo-
pie, Fred Kensel, his sister and Jerome
Arthur among the rest, and Eleanor
walked and drove and sought out her
old haunts by the river. But there was
a lack, haunting memory, and visit
full pain which her heart sought in vain
to ignore.
One night merry half dozen of them
We're playing tennis in the field near the
farm house which was the temporary
home of their choice, when a carriage
passing, the driver raised his hat and
drew up.
Jack Renshaw.'' exclaimed two or
three, recognizing and running toward
him, rackets in hand.
Eleanor felt as if stunned, but, being
possessed of too much tact and pride to
allow herself to seem disconnected, she
approached with the others and offered
her hand. He leaned from the carriage
in greeting them all, and Eleanor felt,
when he took her hand, that his eyes
were seeking her own. But she could
scarcely look up. Her old fearless con-
tidence was gone, and she blushed half
angrily at her disadvantage.
| Jack Renshaw recognized, too, the
difference, and something intuitive di-
rected his reply to the general impor-
tunity whether he would not be with
them before the season was over.
Eyes, certainly. l think l shall, was
his reply as he drew his reins and drove
on.
He had told them that telegram
brought him from Texas month ago to
! the bedside of his mother, who was crit
ically i'll, and whose only son he was.
Her home was in an adjoining town.
She was now convalescent, and he was
to return south in September.
That night Eleanor pleaded WEAKNESS
and retired early to her room. But she
could not sleep. She did not try. With
out light, and in her flowing wrapper,
she sat long, dreaming in the wide west
window; dreaming of all things, of last
summer and of the dull, gray future.
But through every vision there moved
one central figure. All else reyolved
about that One face haunted her mem
DRY. one voice thrilled her heart.
She rose at last and nervously paced
the floor. Why should she think of Jack
Renshaw? Why could she not shut him
out of mind? She-Eleanor Armstrong
who always had sailed on the crest of
the wave, to find herself now chopping
dismally in the trough. 1t was too ex-
asperating.
Yet again and again the same vision
haunted her memory, and ever and ever,
against her will, the same questions
forced an answer. Why could she not
forget him: How well he looked. Why
had she never noticed his fine expression:
What ease and self possession were his.
Why had she been SO blind before: And
so, and so she vexed herself as the night
hours wore away.
Within week Jack was back at Cho-
corua, a guest at The Elms, the village
inn. Eleanor saw him constantly, was
Obliged to do so, since he was a general
favorite, although not given to games.
His attitude toward her was perplex-
ing. Politely indifferent, he neither
Stunned nor sought her. Eleanor was,
as always. gay. But her gayety was fit
full; now bordering on extravaganza, as
when she dashed after hay cart with
Fred; now relapsing almost TO sobrlety.
as when she sought the kitchen to aSsor'
rays with old Aunt Eunice.
One afternoon following the arrival oi
the daily stage she and the Kensel girl!
proposed walking up to the village post
Office for letters, They were Joined OF
the way by Fred. and at The Elns b
re-enforcements. including Mr.. jerome
Arthur and Jack. At the poStofice de
livery Kitty Kensel volunteered TO Cal
for letters for the company.
Mr.. Jerome Arthur, one; Miss Graci
E. Morris. two-threel more than you
share, Grace Morris: Miss PersIs q. A
Pratt, two and card; Miss Catharln'
Keasel-that's ue-one; Miss Eieano