The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-08-25

ST MEANT IT, REALLY"
objects. But Aunt Maria has money
! to leave -much," spreading out her
arms. ''oh, SO mueh-and I want Nell
to get it."
Are you so insensible to the charms
Of lucre, Miss L'Estrange?" asks Sir
George, looking at the back of her
head. There is nothing more of Nell to
be seen indeed at this moment. After
hasty greeting she had withdrawn in
to the window.
''Must she go?" asks Sir George of her
sister when they are alone.
she must not, of course. But it
seems madness to fling away big for
tune like that-Lady Maria is eighty
FIVE, if day, and can't possibly live
| much longer. Why should not Nell
have her money rather than a hos
pital for rats? She is quite capable Of
founding one" says Mrs. Forster, petu-
lantly.
''Still-to make her unhappy
For SIX months out of her life"
"Who can tell how long ones life is
EOlllS W lIboJE 1ciiC lOohC0 fCES UiISSId-
ble,' says Sir George, whose heart is
bleeding for Nell "Can I-could I-see
her?''
Certainly" says Mrs. Forster, impa-
tiently, who is still a little indignant
that he hasznot taken her view of the
question, ''she is in the small room off
the morning room - dabbling at her
paints as usual, no doubt"
Sir George loses no time; crossing the
hall he soon finds himself in the room
indicated. The girl is leaning over an
easel, painting slowly, ifelessly, yet
with care.
What a charming picturel" says
Mayfair-who is indeed surprised at
the youthful vigor the half finished pic
ture contains.
''Oh-you?r She has turned round
as if shot. She had not known he was
so close to her. Not charming" says
she, nervously.
II think it so. mean it, really"
He pauses and looks at her. 81 won
der if you mean all that you say?"
"I?"
eyes You,"
"Why should you doubt that?" asks
she, paint brush in hand, her eyes low
cred.
Because" he takes step nearer to
her, 'the fact is" says he, Il heard
what you said just as 1 was coming
into your sisters drawing room awhile
ago"
You heard" The girl looks at
him with eyes widened-with her whole
heart afre. Oh! what had he heard?
Had he heard that?
Evidently he had.
you said that rather than 90 to stav
with your aunt, you-would marry the
first man who asked you! You did say
that?'
Yes" family.
'Neu, did you mean it?"
'Yes," more family still.
'"Then l claim your promise. am
the first man who can possibly have
asked you to marry him since that half
hour ago. Nell"-he draws her to him
--''Nen, your answer"
''Oh, you can't, You don't mean It."
says she, hiding her face with the one
hand that remains to her.
III you think that don't mean that
! love you, you are entirely at fault"
says he Il have loved you, Nell, for
years, 1 think; for months, at all
events-and you-you would give me
no encouragement"
Because" says Nell, turning away
from him so that he cannot see her
face, because / thought you were in
love with-Isa bel"
us that all?" says he. He catches her
In his arms and strains her to him.
'Oh, how happy we are going to De-"
says he
An hour afterwards Isabel seeks her.
And so you thought he was in love
with me?' cries she, her eyes alight
with laughter. silly, silly ehildl
Why, / promised Lord HardinGe to
marry him month ago. So much for
your suspicious. you baby! And what
about Aunt Maria? expect" malicious
" both you and George had better go
and stay with her as sort OF under
study for your honeymoon, before your
marriage"