The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-03-12

her master sat moveless in the saddle
paralyzed with wonderment and staring
| open mouthed at the man of law. Th,
length of Trappe's speech alone might hav'
| produced half this effect, for he had never
before made so long one to the farmer
But Trappe in love with Angelina
Through his establishment, laughter, scorn
| respect. struggled for dominance. But soor
| he drew up his bride and regained him
self. Why should he laugh? 1t was ar
earnest offer, and though the man was
middle aged, lean and glum, yet many q
handsome young woman had married ar
older and uglier. Why should he feel dis
| dainful? This was not so mean sutton as
to be spurned. Many maiden of good
| family might smile on Squire Trappe
| who, although his practice had, until last
year, been SO limited as to afford him but
| the slimmest income, was now Judge of the
county court, and looking perhaps upon a
| fine career opening up to him. Besides
| who possessed greater learning than the
| Squire? And surely learning was to be
reverenced.
So il was at last, with his usual respect
full bearing toward the other, that he said:
"Well, squire, this is SO unexpected that
don't know what to say. You can speak
to Angie. I've always declared that she
should he free of choice"
'But may say that have your favors"
asked Zeno.
Mr. Holcombe hesitated, looking across
the broad river to the deep canebrakes on
the other side. Had the Squire his favor
really? Was this the husband he would
choose for his pretty, gentle Angelina?
At last he answered, "ThiS matter shan't
go by any favor except her own"
But, you know" urged the other,
"maidens seldom have the wisdom to
choose well. What if she prefers that i'm
pudent young rattle tongue? [ am sorry
the impertinent fellow is related to you, sir,
for in my opinion he is not what he claims
to be-"
''If you mean Richard Forrest, Mr..
Trappe, he is my cousin and bears a fine
name. haven't thought about Angles
falling in love with him, and l don't be-
Eeve she's thought about it herself"
''But what if she has done it without
thinking about it? May hope that you
will put an end to the folly?"
''If Richard should ask for my daugh-
ter's hand" returned the farmer with sud-
den fire. she shall have my answer. You
are not supposed to be the bearer of it."
''Then," said Zeno Trappe with slow,
deep bitterness, look yonder" Their
horses were ambling leisurely down a
messy path, and the lawyer was pointing
to a sylvan bower formed by "a wild big
nonia vine leaping again and again from
one to another of clump of poplars. Be-
meath this shade sat a young man and a
maiden. Two pair of eyes were reading
from the same book, and Angeine's fair
hair was blowing over Richards shoulder.
Mr.. Holcombe Redeemed with veXation.
The crafty attorney determined to push his
advantage.
Now, sir, it is easy for you to end all
that, and send the bold impostor on his
way. He is nothing but fortune seeker"
Hes come to goats house to get wool
II he is seeking fortune round me-" re-
Joined Holcombe. tartly.
well, you cannot fail to know that to a
beggar your estate must seem princely,"
went on Zeno, again showing his strong
yellow teeth. and looking out of the corners
of his eyes toward the well filled barns they
were then riding by. And let me tell you,
Mr.. Holcombe, this man is scarcely more
than a mendicant. He comes to you press
ing his clsim of kinship and representing
himself as member of The Courier staff
out on a short holiday for his health. Of
course he stays when you give him so cord
ial welcome and he finds himself in the
most comfortable home and the most en-
chanting companionship in the world. He
stays and my doubts slowly arise.
What? an editor leave his office for six
indefinitely, it begins to APP
pear-at this momentous period on the
plea Of i'll health. when his appetite is
superb, and he can ride, fish, row, swim,
talk, sing, from sunrise until bedtimee
Suspicion follows doubt, and for your sake |
alone determine to ascertain the truth.
wrote TO The Courier's leading editor a |
guarded inquiry. His answer has reached !
ne today: Richard Forrest is in no way |
connected with this Journal"
Mr.. Holcombe now starts again, but he |
does not forget the ties of blood.
That's enough" he said, proudly. Let |
my young cousin himself account to me-"
''Oh, no doubt he can do it glibly," re-
sumed the lawyer, venomously. But look !
out, my dear sir. He will steal YOUR
laughter, as he has her love, if he is sure
IF her dowry. But if there is not GER
jainty of that, the dowry may disappear
With the gallant, while the daughter re-
mains behind to grieve My earnest coun-
eel TO you, sir, is to deposit your $4,000
ash in bank as quickly as possible if this
elbow is to dwell longer under your roof"
You have gone far enough, sir-too far,
indeed" broke in the farmer hotIy
Il beg your humble pardon, Mr.. Hol-
,ombe. Let my zeal in your interests ex-
R-1t will l,;n |
rom The Courier editor?o holding it to-
ward him.
But the other waved him off. Zeno
Crappe bowed humbly and rode away,
eigning an expression and bearing a regret
nd despair which he did not feel Could
MS trump card fail TO win?
Mr.. Holcombe was decidedly glum at
ga, irresponsible TO Forests bright sal!ies,
Angles brighter smiles and his wife's gen
le questioning. He sent Angie off to her
DOM early, but himself did not leave his
reaky rocking chair on the back porch
Until almost midnight His GUINNESS had
eXt day developed into irritabilitv of a
marked type. He kept Angie bv his side
ontl1ually: called her to find his nat when
he and Richard went to the piano. but in
tead of using the hat when brought. he
ad her sit down by him and put new
and on IL. When they started TO walk TO
be spring he summoned her to sort out
IS papers. All the time he ignored For
est, as far as that alniable young fellow ,
-ould let any one be obiivious to him. He
as cross all day to mild tempered Mrs.
Iolcombe, trying hard in his soul-but
GENEROUSLY failing-to throw on her all the
lame Of this unGeSired heart affair and of
rappe's suitorship.
When she sweetly asked him in the morn
lg If he was going 10 ride down to see the
ottomlsnd corn he gruffiy replied that he !
opposed he'd run the farm all night. ]