The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-07-29

searchinply for some sign OF O1Ssluuid-
ton in her soft eyes Had she found
the letters, had she read them? 10 tell
the truth, Nine. Blanc bad loved me
ardently. and had been so imprudent as
to express her sentiments In writing,
running the gamut of abs and oh's,with
plentiful exclamation points attached
thereto And suppose little Gabrielle
had read them - blushed at the
thought.
But quite calmly she said: "How do
you do, Cousin George?''-that was all,
and in nv great palm lay soft, cool,
maidenjy little hand.
All, but what abyss is deeper than
wCman's heart, IS the psaimlst says;
suppose she had read the letters. The
only way to make sure was to go into
the room and look for them. Gabrieile's
room! What sweet melody in the words,
vet felt that / dared not enter that
sanctuary, although / had known my
cousin since she was child.
Come, George, and see how prettily l
have arranged your room," she said,
suddenly.
Joy, bliss, ecstacy filed me as she
spoke | was saved Innocence had
come to the rescue of depravity!
Lightly and gracefully she ran up the
staircase. What a pretty figure she
had! | followed her like culprit, feel
ing almost afraid to go; but yet l must
at all hazards get my letters.
My former room was perfectly charm
ing, decked out in blue and white, with
no odor of cigars anywhere. The little
bed was modestly draped with snowy
curtains which looked like the wings OF
guardian angels. looked around anx-
iously for the old chiffonier. There it
stood as usual
MAY / have some water, Cousin Ga
brielle? I am dying of thirst" l said.
She took up the carafe, but 1, artful
demon, had already observed that it
was empty.
''Wait minute; 1 will get'you some"
she said, and left the room
brushed to the chiffopier and opened
the drawer Horror! it was empty.
The next instant my cousin returned,
gave me glass of water, then showed
me her album, and we talked merrily,
lust as we used to do when we were
play-fellows.
But where were my letters? Had she
found them and hidden them away, or
had she burned them? My head seemed
to swim as wondered.
As soon as could think Of pretext,
left Gabrielle, and in the hallway
met my aunt, her mother. She greeted
me ioyfuliy, then shook her finger at
me in a mysterious way, and in very
knowing air whispered:
Come with me, you naughty, care
less boy." / followed her into her own
room, where she opened a drawer, say
ing meanwhile:
when we first arrived here, it fortu-
nately occurred to me that before put
ting young lady into a bachelors
room it would be well for me to look
ABOUT it little. / have had some ex-
perience of young men and their
ways" Here she put package into
my hand Heavens and earth-my let
tersl
threw my arms around my aunt's
neck, kissed her rapturously, and con-
fessed everything.
A week passed. One morning, when
got up, found tiny piece of paper
lying on the floor, as if it had been
slipped under my door. picked it up;
it was a letter.
What does this mean?" thought,
and then / unfolded it and read:
DEAR COUSIN: Why do you not tell mamma
all about ftp"
"AN aboWt it," What does she mean?
"De0r Cousin" it is from Gabrielle!
l did not understand it at all, and
waited anxiously for the breakfast
hour. When l heard my cousin go
downstairs, darted out and was going
to speak to her, but she blushed, turned
her face away, and, putting a piece of
paper into my hand, said, hurriedly:
Take back your letter and speak to
mamma"
My Ietteri l rushed out into the
garden and read the missive. Thunder