The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-20
kind OF couslnly guardianship over me

| kind or cousInly guardianship over me
which no doubt is very necessary.
$50 you are Miss Wayne's cousins do
| not remember hearing Mr.. Cranston men
ton you / did not expect to have the
pleasure of meeting any ladies but Mrs.
| Thurston and Miss Wayne"
"How unkind in Mr.. Cranston not to
prepare you for this meeting" and there
was roguish CLEAN in her eyes which
Hugh did not see. Il had up to date re-
garded Mr. Cranston as one of my very
best friends, but to ignore me so utterly,
when he knew would accompany Cousin
Ethel here, looks like downright inten-
tional neglect"
'You have not given me the pleasure Of
knowing your name" said Hugh, both
amused and pleased with his pretty driver
"Oh, Pm a Wayne, too" she answered
;aughingly. Ethel Estella Wayne. vari-
later on"
surprise for Colewood. Why had Cranston
not mentioned that strange fact to hima
If the Ethel Wayne referred to in the
will was only half as animated and gen.
orally captivating as the one by his side
Hugh thought it might be an easy matter
after all to obey that condition which had
so vexed him.
Colewood received a cordial welcome at
Mrs. Thurston's pleasant home. He found
Miss Wayne to be tall, dignified girl of
about twenty-three, with coal black hair
and deep gray eyes. She was as unlike her
little merry hearted cousin as it was pos
sible to be.
Yes, Hugh decided she was just such a
woman as his eccentric aunt would be
likely to select as the wife of her heir.
In the weeks which followed Hugh's ar
rival he saw great deal of Miss Wayne,
although much of her time was divided be-
tween her taste for literature and in re-
monstrating against the innocent pranks
of her cousin
1t did not require a long time for the
young man to realize that he could never
love Miss Wayne as the man should love
the girl whom he intends to marry.
He made another important discovery.
that his life would be failure without the
little cousin to furnish daily sunshine and
wifely cheer for his own home.
He resolved to let Miss Wayne have one
half of his aunt's estates and the orphan
asylum the other He would marry the
girl of his own choice, provided he could
win her, and boldly fight his own way
through life.
Having so decided, Hugh set out for
stroll along the river. feeling more manly
for his resolve.
He came suddenly upon little figure in
white, reading. in little whey nook by
the rivers side.
"Wait, Estelle." he called, for she had
started to run away; 81 shall leave tonor-
row, and have something TO say to you
which you must hear"
The telltaie flush which swept over face
and neck al his words might have given
some hint of an easy surrender. However,
in moment she bad regained that custom
airy piquancy which had more than ones
exasperated Hugh.
''Id be sorry to have you leave us with
any burden on your mind she said pro
vokingly,
at is needless for me to tell you why it
was arranged for me to meet Miss Wayne
here" he said, unheeding her light words
You know, | suppose"
''Some slight idea, | believe" she re-
turned, lingering her book
well, may as well tell you that that
condition in my late aunt's viii can never
be fulfilled"
"And why mott"
Because | love another" he cried pas
sionately. "Oh, Estelle! can Jon not see
how tenderly, how ardently | love your
Without You shall make q failure of life
Won't you show mercy. Estelle?"
"Oh. Hugh would you marry poor girl
when you have a chance TO win dignified
bride and retain those princeiy estatesi"
she asked.
'sYes, darling. prefer you with love in
cottage 10 the wealthiest woman with all
the estate in the worldY'
Rash statement. young mar"
"It is true. DO not torture me longer.
Estelle. Can you not love me a httles"
no"
Then ron do not love nes"
I'm afraid do
'1Do not mock me, Estei1e.'
81 am not mocking you. Hugh" In
very sweet voice
Then you do love me littlef"
'sSo. not little. but very much
He would have caught her 20 his frreast.
but she eludr7i hrs sr-sS. CRYING