The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-09-01
AN ISLAND EPISODE.

A1ieSAC IAho. OOlJSI WIS IN q turmoil Oh
jealous indignation that brilliant July
day. 1t hadn't begun with the day,
however, for all had been serene and
smiling as she went down to break
fast In one of her prettiest gowns, es-
corted by her handsome, genial hus-
band And this pleasant state of things
had continued while she looked through
her letters, enjoyed few minutes rock
ing on the piazza and passed in review
the baby battalion, with their shining
morning faces and crisp ruffies. Then,
with some of the other ladies. she had
sauntered down to the little pier to see
her husband off on his fishing excursion.
with half dozen more husbands, broth
ers and fathers in his party; and this
done, the next thing on her programme
was TO see that her room was put into
that comfortable state of order which,
TO the average hotel hambermaid, seems
an unknown quantity" indeed.
And just here her serenity departed
and the turmoil began in her poor little
heart. For there, on the first chair,
flung down with true masculine care
lessness, lay her husbands flannel suit,
discarded in favor of the fishing ''togs,"
and as she lifted the coat to hang it up
there insidiously slipped from the
pocket little twisted scrap of paper,
which, with a smiling Lets see what
Rob has been perpetrating nowl" she
proceeded to investigate. For Rob was
blessed with keen sense of humor, and
was much given to jotting down bits Of
jokes, puns and sage reflections on the
different aspects of summer hotel life,
which it was their custom to laugh over
together in the retirement of their own
room. So it was quite without suspi-
cion that Mrs. Rob UNFINISHED the inno-
cent looking scrap, and was confronted
with-not her husbands bold scrawl.
but delicate feminine writing, to this
effect:
Yes, mon ami, | don't know that |
mind giving up my afternoon siesta for
this otce; and if can evade the notice
of the rocking chair Tables, | will ship
away about 3 o'clock That is, if you
will pledge yourself that both GOODNESS
and shade Turk on the farther side of the
big rock, and if you are sure that it is
out o. window range. For it would
never 90 if we were to be seen there.
Yours; J. L.
"Wednesday, a. m"
AS she took IN the sense of these /
words her placid smile was succeeded |
by frown.
Its that horrid Mrs. Lesson, of
counsel She has just thrown herself at
Roberts head ever since she came. !
Wedn{s ell? That's today, and now
We'll sSe about this walk | shan't men
ton til is note, but think can manage !
to defeat this plan. wonder, though,
if it Would not be a good idea TO set up a !
little eounter Irritation? There's that |
handsome young Dugall just waiting for |
a little encouragement, and, evidently, /
Rob n4eds a lesson"
Now all this was quite natural, but in /
her Indignation Mrs Golfer failed TO
give due consideration TO circumstances, /
or to remember the kind of employment /
always found for idle hands"-and idle /
minds as we'll She and Robert were /
spending a month on a small island in |
the sound, just off the Connecticut coast. /
1t was one of the most unique and de- /
cool of summer resorts. The |
nearest land was a mile away to the /
west, but that was only on one side, and 1
in all other directions there was much 4
wider expanse of waters, dashing up all 4
day with a soft murmur, and always the
most delicious salt breeze was blowing
all across the island, so that even at mid
day it was not unpleasant to feel the sun.
But It was such little island, only
about thirty acres in all, and nos build
ing on it but the hotel and Offices, which
could only accommodate about $50 peo-
pie. There wasn't a horse on the place.
for there was no room for driving, but
there were good fishing, sail and row
boats always available, bathing, bill
lizards and a bowling alley, and long.
two story piazza for a promenade and
Irritation gallery. A delightful resting
place it was for semi-invalids, for lazy
people who can bask in air and sunshine.
ana for bookworms and dreamers, but
just wee bit dull for city man.
Robert Golfer was the posseSsor of \ !
sweet, intelligent wife, who appreciated
III the good things of life almost in
equal degree with himself, and who was
70 ready with sympathy ana comprehen-
zion that it was the most natural and
thing in the word to go to
ler with all his hopes and plans, and
though they had been five years man and
wife he never wearied of her companion
ship. Sun that did not prevent his en-
oyment of other wOmen's society, and
n this quiet little isolated resort ne had
found a certain piquancy in exchanging
light badinage or = Few harmless conf
lences on the moonEt piazzas with some
one elses wife-or widow. These even
ng conferences were about forgotten by
he next morning. and certainly there
vas no harm in them, according 10 his
IDEAS. Why, Milly was quite welcome
% play the same little game. if she chose
in moderation. be il understood
Feeling this. and foreseeing thai his
iull moments would be apt TO increase
With each coming day, it was not with
otal indifference he had witnessed a
lew arrival the week previous. and had
noted an inclination on the part of the
newcomer 10 bestow upon him various
significant chances and smiles said /
lew arrival was very filrtatious widow.
With red gold hair, big blue eyes and
lump white neck aud arms, of which
he made rather liberal disnlar when