The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-28

he had ever been really in love with
Ida He had certainly felt sense Of
relief when he found she had thrown
him over for Charles Wyatt. She was
pretty, of course, with a piquancy he
had admired at that time, but she was
an inveterate tease and talker, and had
made him vince on more than one oc-
casion by a certain lack of delicacy
which he could criticise now more dis
passiouately.
ut would have been q great mis-
take, and yet l suppose l should have
drifted into marriage with her if
Wyatt, with his big bank account, had
not turned up in time" he thought.
he had never met WyStt, who was a
Chicago man. Ida had lived In that
city since her marriage, three years
ago. he had heard through a mutual
friend that the pair were coming to
New York soon on a visit He felt no
little curiosity to see them, and won
dered if Ida was as rattle-tongued as
ever; and then mis- thoughts reverted to
the soft-voiced divinity of Riverside
park.
He fell into dreamy frame of mind
presently, and feeling deliciously drew
sy, stumbled down through the open
scuttle with his eyes half shut II re-
sisted his efforts TO Gloss it. and le2v-
ing it to its own stubbornness he made
his way down TO his room, as he sup
posed, threw himself on the wide
bed and was asleep in a twinkling.
He awakened to consciousness and
the fact that strong hand was grasp
ing MS arm, while a mans voice de-
manded in no gentle tones:
''Who the deuce are you?"
Frank was sitting bolt upright in an
instant
what are you doing in my bed?" he
Numbered.
your bed? That's cheeky from a
man find asleep in miner
'Have the imps of darkness carried
me into lunatic asylum, l wonder?"
queried Frank, glazing apprehensively
at the stout figure showing dimly
through the gloom on the other side Of
the broad bed.
You'll think you're IN q worse place
if you don't get out OF here pretty
quick" retorted the other, Selling
Franks arm with a ferocious grasp.
''Charlesl Chayles!" called a startled
feminine voice from the shadowy
lounge across in the corner.
Then the scene msterialized slowly
out of the gloom to Franks strained
gaze. The furniture of the room was
different 1t AL flashed upon him.
Shades of Venicer he exclaimed
1--WE come down the wrong scuttle!"
1.-THE wrong scuttler echoed. the 9TH
er man, who by this time had donned
his clothes. DO they keep open scut-
ties here?"
Il went out on the roof to smoke
cigar" Frank explained hurriedly,
wishing he had gone to smoke in Hail
fax. These houses are SO deucedly
alike" he added.
"As live that's Frank Richardson's
voice. came from the shadowy lounge
in the corner.
Franks heart leaped to his throat az
he recognized the tones. Here was a
pretty how-do-you-dol He had blum
dered into the sleeping room of Charles
Wyatt and his wife. What in the name
Of the seven wonders had possessed
him. anyway?
us that you, Ida-Mr& Wyatt?" he
asked family.
Il should say sol That's Mr. Wyatt
on the other side. Mr.. Richardson.
Charles, an old friend of mine who
hasn't forgotten me, l see. Delighted
to see your shadow" Ida went on, ris-
ing to the situation on the instant.
Don't be afraid, I'm quite presenta-
ble," she ratified on, as Frank, in de-
spair. saw a white figure moving to-
ward him IN the dinness. I'm in my
cream chaIlie Mother Hubbard. /
threw myself on the lounge for few
minutes and fell fast asleep. | believe
/ had prosentiment Of \ call. So
glad to shake hands with you once
moren Frank reached out his hand
mechanically. THE situation is so ro-
mantle and unconventional To think
that you should come down the wrong
scuttle and into our room by mistakel
they, Mr.. Rich harrison? ] was wonder
ing where you were living now; never
dreamed YOU were in the same block
This is Mrs. DearA We are visiting
here for a week or so and will be glad
10 see you Call tomorrow evening"
Ida proceeded. 81 want you and Mr.. Wv
att to meet in the daylight and shake
hands and be good friends. You were
both Oh the border Of high tragedy
when ! awoke"
Frank backed out, feeling like kick
ing himself all the way TO Con-y
island lie crept up through their
scuttle to the roof again and went
down his own as noiselessly as
possible, wondering, as he lighted the
gas in his cham Der to make sure there
was not another blunder, what version
of the affair would get abroad
He awOke the next morning with a
vexing recollection Of the ridiculous
figure he had cut the night before. lie
was sensitive about what Others would
have regarded al rare joke, and had
half q mind not 10 ma AXE the evening
call he had promised Ida
He was standing in a crowd on the
elevated platform waiting for train
that afternoon when be heard Mrs.
Wyatt's voice behind him He did 70.
turn bis head lie cou.d hear perfectly
well the story she was pouring out
Charles felt queer about IL" she
was saying. and would have been
Jealous If he coald nave seen the
slightest grounds for Jealousy. Poor /
Frank. lie was DIRE adfully era Darrzssed. !
for II was q queer blunder % make. +
know him Of Old, SO sensitive, never (