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

Il begin to breathe again." said Miss
Smith "As to circumstances, can make
a dollar go as far as five I'll show YOU
how to live on next to nothing, and live
well. Kiss me again. Jack; l am SO happyl
When shall we go housekeeping"
Her view of the matter evidently WA
that she had proposed and been accepted.
However, l kissed her. She was so evil
IDENTIFY respectable that / could but believe
these proceedings customary in America.
felt that my friends should have Informed
me how far these Yankee girls could go.
1t must be that no one thought it wrong in
this part OF the world; for l knew that
Miss Smith was respectable, and her father
a man of good position. Moreover, she had
an innocent air, with all her boldness, and
l could have fallen in love with her on the
spot but for her curious conduct. This,
however, revolted me. She sat there, after
this astounding behavior, without tremoi
in her voice or blush upon her face, and
again remarked:
Pm SO happy, Jack!"
Oh! what were these American girls
made of?
We came to pause at last before house
which was not quite up TO my idea of tn.
wealthy Mr.. Smiths residence, but was
very respectable, and Miss Smith ushered
me into parlor which seemed to me TO be
full of girls. In the back one tea tablA
was spread.
"Pve asked everybody to meet you," she
said. "All the dear girls who were in the
last class at boarding school with me-"
Then, having caused me to deposit my
hat upon the rack, and having somehow
disposed of my travelling bag, she took me
by the arm and whirled me about, intro
ducing me to Kate and Ann, Tilly and
Nelly. Jane and Eliza, with last names
which did not CATCH or forgot on the in
slant; and each one made some remark to
the effect that dear Tiny had spoken SO
much of me-that she thought of no one
else-that they supposed she was happy
now, etc.
My bewilderment grew greater, but was
determined to see the affair out. 1t was to
me as curious as any strange ceremonies
among the Cannibal islanders would have
been.
This was apparently a betrothal party
However, they could not marry me against
my will in any land. When it came to that
l should assert myself.
At last we were all summoned to the
table.
"Your place is at the foot, Johnny" said
Miss Smith; and stood behind my chair,
waiting for the ladies to be seated, when a
servant whispered something in Miss
Smiths ear, at which she turned pale,
looked at me for moment with an unut-
terable expression in her eyes and fled from
the room.
The girls looked after her; one followed
her, came back and whispered to the others,
who, one after the other, left the room.
1t occurred to me that the clergyman had
arrived, and that the matrimonial cere-
monies were about TO be celebrated, and !
decided to get nearer the door. 1t might
be that my only hope lay in flight. AS l
entered the front parlor l saw that the hall
was deserted. On an upper floor voices
were lifted, and some one seemed to be in
Mysteries. Shortly masculine voice said
fiercely, ''Tll settle hinr' and youth in a
travelling costume came rushing down
stairs three steps at time.
He entered the room in which l stood
and advanced toward me.
What is the meaning of all this?" said
he
Exactly what l should like to know,
SIR" said 1.
Il am John Smith, SAID he.
$50 am l." answered.
81 arrived from England in the -"
said he.
SO did T." replied
81 am Miss Smiths BROTHER said he.
The truth began to dawn upon me.
81 am not" said l, and then as gravely
as possible related the facts that l have
already told you, at the same time produc.
ing from my pocket letters which gave
witness to my veraclty
''This is a dreadful thing for Tiny" said
the young man. I'VE have been separated
since our childhood. She is very excitable
and is terribly mortified. She believes
that you purposely played trick upon
her, and really don't know what to sayr'
Don't say anything" replied. "If
may have my hat and portmanteau Il go.
No doubt can find my friend very easily. |
I'll get cab. | have the address,"
sit is awfully absurdw said the other
John Smith.
"AwfullyW said l.
With these words we parted, and about |
an hour afterward l had shaken hands /
with another Miss Smith, jolly, middle /
aged lady, who enjoyed the story that ]
told her hugely.
AS for the other Miss Smith, had not |
known the street to which she took me OF
the number of the house. / discovered I.
that there were several pages Of John
Smiths in the directory, and she has passed
put of my life as completely as though she
we're one of those mysterious females who
accost the young princes of 1.-The Arabian
Nights Tales" entertain them splendidly
IN marble halls, where fountains play and
slaves serve curious dainties, and who at
lawn have vanished with their servants
and palaces as though they were but Wis
ons of dream.
Had it not been so l fancy this story
night have had more romantic termina.
ion, for | still remember her as the love
lest and sweetest creature whom / even
net, and have often followed some pretty
igure for long blocks, only to discover,
when at last l got glimpse of her face.
hat it was not my Miss Smith. However,
am not old yet. The world is not very
arge place, when you come to think of it.
may meet her yet.-Mary Kyle Dallas in
sireslde Companion
A Striking Proof
Professor Qecturing(-In conclusion !