The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-07

my last letter to Cousin Helen, / jokingly
invited her to Meadowtowns OF course
! never dreamed of having her come, and
| just put in the invitation as means OF
filling up my stupid letter, and now she
writes me that she will take me at my
| word-that she is very anxious to taste a
| real bit of country life before going back
to next winters gayeties in New York,
and-and-ohi shall die of modification
at the thought of having her here"'
But have her | was forced to do, and
modification spared me any such terrible
result as that prophesied. She came, look
ing the thorough lady she was, dressed
with suitable quietness, and accepting all
our homespun hospitality with sweet,
thoroughbred lack of surprise.
81 want you to appear your very best, I"
said to Robert in the morning before her
arrival. Cousin Helen is very particular
and fastidious about gentlemen. She is q
great belle-and, for that matter, great
beauty-and the least coarseness in q
mans manners or dress always shocks her
keenly."
Roberts brows darkened. 1 had gone
too far For the first time since knowing
him | saw his handsome mouth take a Bit
ter, sneering curve.
Perhaps clod like myself had better
not appear at all, he said, while your
paragon is here"
But he did appear that night. Helen
was very affably cordial to him. She
knew nothing of our engagement-I had
never mentioned word of it either to her.
self or Aunt Cornelia.
When Robert had left US that night and
we were alone together, she astonished me
by saying:
What charming man Mr.. Carroll isl
Why have you never mentioned him to me,
Ada? Has he been long in Meadowtown?"
"Oh, yes! Nearly all summer"
''He comes of the CAROLS of l., does
he not?"
YES" said, little confused, great
deal astonished THAT is, his GRANDPA
Their, Mr.. Everhard Carroll. lives in l..
This Mr.. Robert Carroll is an artist, as he
told you, and-and quite poor"
"Oh, know nearly all about his fam
ilyn' Helen said. His grandfather, Mr.
Everhard Carroll, treated him shamefully
on account of embracing art as profession.
The old gentleman is one of the greatest
millionaires in the country, and he has
given out, believe, that he will bequeath
though he refuses to notice him while he
Hves-and for that absurd reason, too! Is
it not wonderful what simpletons some
people can make of themselves"
Very" l murmured. was more con-
fused than ever.
During the next four or five days Robert
came constantly TO the cottage. Helen
showed the most marked attention and
rapidly growing preference for his society.
His manner was very courteous TO me
nothing more. l could not complain, for
had more than once pointediy hinted to
him that / desired no mention of our en-
gagement to be made during Helen Aber
crombie'S visit.
Two weeks passed on. At the end of
those two weeks | was sick, tortured, az
onized with jealousy. 1t seemed to me
that in every motion of Roberts and in
every sound of his voice saw proof that
he had transferred all his old allegiance
from myself to Helen. And for my own
feelings, every vestige of my own slumber-
ing, maltreated, half despised love revived
under the present shock of circumstances.
| blamed myself for the past-I hated my
self for it told myself that l deserved
terrible punishment.
Ind the punishment came.
Helen staid with us three weeks. The
night before she left they took a walk to-
gether among the paths that skirted our
cottage 1t was night of perfect autumn
moonlight, and now and then / could see
their dark forms sharply outlined in the
silver air, as | watched them from the
window of the sitting room, where / sat
alone, with a miserable, throbbing fore
boding heart.
AT last they entered the house. Then |
heard them pass into the little library
where mother often sat and was sitting
now. Presently heard Robert ask:
Where is Ada?"
He had never called me Ada" before in
her presence | knew what was coming
then. heard mothers answer, "In the
sitting room, | think" and waited and
shuddered.
The door was half closed. Presently
there sounded little knock upon it.
rose as if stung.
Come in" said
Robert entered.
l can't write out his words. They were
very mildly spoken: he said that he had
for some time been forced to beleve-that
| cared nothing whatever for him.
And then, though my heart was nearly
breaking in my breast, woman's pride
came TO my rescue.
You are right" said, II do care moth
ing for you. suppose you have come TO
tell me that you wish to break your en-
gagement with me and marry Helen Aber-
crombie?"
Il do" he answered simply, ''if you will
release me-"
Very well" managed. you are per-
fectly free"
But the sitting room light was dancing
before my eyes as | said it, and my poor
heart was wildly galloping.
had gotten my punishment. Was it
overseverei Often, often think so dur
ing the lonely, eventiess years of maiden
hood which have followed.
They have been married almost more
years than | can count over. | rarely see
them, but | know they are very happy. DO
Won call this miserable sad story readars