The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-14

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sure you felt very miserable as l saw
him. str ding away over the fields. al
though I had told him to go myself
Still j never thought he would have
taken me at my word.
'sWhat shall say to'Aunt Maria?" ]
thought. as / turned my steps home
ward. This was very serious refec-
ton indeed, for it had been the dream
OF Aunt Maria's existence to see me
and only son of our wealthy neighb Dor,
Sir Henry.
Dick and I had played together as
children, danced together, flirted to-
gether. and finally fell in love with one
another.
We were toahaveh been married in a
month. and now / had sent him away
and told him l never wished to see him
again.
What was to be dane-and oh, dear!
what should I say to Aunt Maria?
There was no help for it, however, but
to go home and explain the situation to
the best of my ability. and accordingly
home ] went
Aunt Maria was ;inl the drawing
room. and / stole softly in and took my
book. hoping that she would not no.
tice me. But she. sawsmee.directly and
inquired:
.iWhere is Dick?"
He has gone home, replied, trying
TO assume an unconcerned manner, and
failing most signaily in the attempt.
.'Gene home? Why? Did you not tell
him expected him tosdinner?'
Eyes"
.sThen why is he not! ccming?"
"He had an engagement. =" mumbled.
For goodness sake, CHILD, speak out!
Come here. where 1 can see you. How
red your face isl What is the matter?'
I rose obediently and stood before
my aunt, who fxed her relentless gaze
upon me.
..You have been crying" she said.
snow, just tell me the truth at once.
Daisy. Have you and Dick,quarrelled?"
.'Yes," faltered.
And what about, prayT
az don't know" -
s'You don't know!" tcThis lis Q very
sarcastic tone.
remained silent and fumbled for my
pocket-handkerchief.
.Who beg an it?'' pursued. Aunt Maria
sternly. !
81 don't know"
-'Have you broken off your: engage
ment?'
Yes I burst forth; 81 hate him.
and I will never speak to him again"
Then.I began to weep copiously.
'If you are going to howl" said Aunt
Maria, with bitter irony, You had bet
ter leave the room. / shall require
full explanation tomorrow, from both
you and Mr. Johnson"
I fed upstairs, and did not appear
again that evening. She stormed and
expostulated, bat remained firm in my
resolve to return Dicks ring and pres
cnts that very day.
Accordingly, ] spent couple of
hours in crying over them and packing
them up.
After luncheon. Aunt Maria an
nounced her intention of visiting somc
pensioners of hers in village about
three miles distant, and ordered me to
accompany her. which prepared to do
with a very bad grace, 1 fear. We
walked for about half an hour without
exchanging word. and a more thor
cughly ill-tempered pair of pedestrians
could hardly have been found any
where.
Our way led through some fields. and,
on reaching the first gate, / noticed a
man leaning against it. As we came
up he opened it for us, and politely
raised his hat. He looked like gem
t!ernan. and was dressed in well-fit-
ting suit Of blue serge. l saw that he
was stranger. and wondered where he
came from, as strangers were rare in
our secluded part of the world.
A little further on, looked back and
observed that he was following us.
He overlook us before we reached the
next gate, passed us. and opened this
one also, again lifting his hat as we
went by.
though. this rather odd, but having
resolved not to speak to Aunt Maria
until she addressed me, held my
peace.
At the third gate the same perform
ance was repeated, but this time the
stranger did not fall behind. He walked
to Aunt Maria's side and asked: May
i offer you my arm?'
Certainly not. SIR" was the indir-
nant rejoinder: Il have not the honor
Of your acquaintance. nor do l desire
st.
AT least you will permit me to carry
your umbrella" continued the stranger,
nnabashed. Aunt Maria merely sport
ei. and. clutching her umbrella more
firmly, marched on at an increased
pace.
us there no little service you will a.
low me to render you?" pursued our
unwelcome companion in tragic tones.
go away. sir-' said my aunt. furious
ay. I'VE do not wish FOR your COM
pany. Your having spoken to us at all
IS piece of the most understandable
3mpertinence"
DO not drive me from YOU" w the
reply. Il lore you! / have loved you
Gron1 the first moment saw you. Yor