The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-07-21

of rain were driven sharply against the
pane. The wind howled and shrieked
like wild thing, while the clouds that
had been gathering all day were
merged into vast black pail.
( The clock on the mantel chimed a
silvery alarm. Seven o'clock. Charlie
is late tonight" l thought uneasily,
again peering out into the heavy dark
ness There was nothing to be seen but
my own reflection, SO returning to my
easy chair in front of the open fire I
resumed the book had been reading.
The clock licked steadily and distinctly.
The rain beat in gusts against the win
dows Somehow, the story-before in
teresting-had become stale and I'M
profitable, and laid it aside.
We had been married but a short
time, and housekeeping but three
weeks. Our house was a cottage in the
suburbs, far enough removed from
neighbors to make US feel happy in
dependence in the fact that every move
ment was not observed.
Charlie was everything that could be
desired in husband. Margaret-my
housemaid-was treasure. Our home
was pretty and coy.
l had quite lost myself IN happy mus
ings, when footstep outside recalled
me 70 my senses. / fastened to open
the door. and was confronted, not by
my stalwart husband, but by boy,
who, having solemnly delivered into
my reluctant hands a note, vanished
INTO the blackness of night without
word having been exchanged / closed
and bolted the door and resumed my
seat before the CHEEKY fire before read
ing the note, which ran thus:
'DEAKEsT MoLLIE:
81 have been hurriedly and unavoidably
called out of town on business, and cannot be
home tonight Mr.. Graham was taken sick
this afternoon, so I am obliged TO go in his
place. Keep UP your spirits, little girl, and
you'll see me in the morning. CHARLIE"
l forced back the tears that rose to
my eyes, and applying my lips to the
speaking-tube, advised Margaret that
Mr.. Taylor would not be home for sup
per, and it would better be served at
once. Then returning to the fire l
threw into the flames, with some force,
the note which l had held crumpled in
my hand, as if that poor, unoffending
agent had been solely responsible for
my disappointment; after which, as
Stunning proper decorum, went down
stairs to my lonely supper.
The biscuits were flaky and done to a
golden brown, but they were to me as
the apples of Sodom. The choice steak
and baked potatoes emitted a savory
odor, but regarded them with cold dis
favor.
Il am not in the least hungry to-
night" ] remarked, with hypocritical
cheerfulness, to Margaret, as caught
sight of her reproachful face as she
saw the fruits of her abor passed by,
''but am tired. And we can go TO bed
early and sleep long; it's such lovely
night for sleeping! Just hear the rain
and wind. Margaret"
Yes" said Margaret. elevating her
shoulders in a rather doubtful way and
gazing toward the window little fear /
fully, but it's mighty lonesome way |
out here such night IS this, and Mr.. 4
Taylor away, too"
Nonsense, Margaret" Icried, gayly. .
II love wind and rain! As 70 being /
that everything is proper /
Y locked, and defy besieging army 1
% enter against our will"
WAS rewarded by seeing Margaret I
mile, though.in a half-hearted sort of I
way, and repaired to the sittingroom,
where, wsth sigh, put away my hus-
bands slippers and pushed back the
hair had had ready for him. Then
opened the front door and called:
jack"
From the darkness, and presumably
from his kennel, came my husbands
IN obedience 70 M voice,
stepping gingerly and shaking his
shaggy coat with whining discomfort.
An right" said. patting his head
With renewed confidence. I'VE are
alone tonight, Jack. You must guard
Is we'll The intelligent animalloolsed
ID into my face a moment and then
stretched himself upon the dnor-r,at
With his head uDnn his navvS :.