The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-10-26

rdtic WdnOefer, ana. as MIS- WltHcroee
had declared her weakness for doubt
full characters, Margaret wondered if in
reality he were not such a one, in spite
of his fine presence and manly bear
ing.
The music ended. and as Margaret
arose the stranger took his leave, and
all through the long corridors which
led to the Douglas rooms Mrs. Wither-
bee lau9hingly rallied against their
friend against him.
Confess that he's handsome. Madge?
You won't? Well, nevertheless, half
believe you are smitten already, but if
not, be warned in time. That man is
invulnerable. know, for I've tried to
break his heart and it will not even
bend, though other hearts are like wax
in his strong hands! Did you notice his
hands? They are remarkable, but then
he's remarkable character, and some
one ought to write his history. 1t will
go to prove my theory. too, for there
never was a man who had less regard
for the conventionalitles than he. I
wonder if you ever heard Of him"
Mrs. Witherbee," Margaret broke
in. desperately, Il don't even know
| his"
adventure in South Africa" Mrs.
Witherbee went on, needless of the in
terruption. well, you must get him
to tell you
But who is"
Your rival? No one that know OF,
dear! There. don't look SO indignant
it would delight me to see him at your
feet. He will get caught at last, and
don't you think l noticed that though
he talked to me he had only eyes for
you? Well, here we are. and now good
by! for leave early in the morning.
I'm sorry to go before you do, but I'm
! due at the Morgans. l hope your
mother will DO stronger soon: give her
my love, and au revoir at Lenox in Sep
TENDER"
She was gone, and Margaret stood at
+! the door of her room, bewildered, in.
| dignant and all wrong with herself and
her ideas of propriety. Her one hope
was that she should never again see
this man who had SO strangely troubled
her peace of mind.
But the next morning as she was TAX
| ing her early walk with Alexis along
the beach he joined her. to the dogs in
tense delight. And, in spite of her I'M
comfortable sensation of self-blame at
having permitted him to presume SO
far, she could not help admitting to
herself that he was undeniably enter
tanning and agreeable.
The next day she chose different di-
hour, and yet again they met-and
Margaret, in spite of her strict ideas of
etiquette, seemed altogether helpless
and adrift in the course of this ''uncon-
ventional episode" She thoroughly
disapproved of it, and yet there was
fascination about this man which gave
terrible force 70 Mrs. Witherbee's jest
ing words.
If she could only take counsel with
her mother! But Mrs. Douglas was still
too weak and nervous to be worried
with any such extraordinary affair.
And SO the days went on. One morn
ing, however, the cutting wind gave
Margaret an excuse to omit her walk,
and, hidden in sheltered nook among
the rocks, she fancied that unless be-
trayed by Alexis, her solitude would be
undisturbed.
The sea was high, only few of the
most daring swimmers had ventured
out. and she dreamily watched their
dark heads move beyond the white
crested breakers.
Suddenly she became aware of a
thrill of excitement among the crowds
upon the beach; then she saw that all
of the swimmers were in but one, and
that far out was making signals of
distress.
One or two started out again to go
to his assistance, but they were already
weary, and the merciless waves beat
them back upon the shore.
Then Margaret saw tall figure COM
ing swiftly down the beach, casting
coat and vest from him as he ran. 1t
was the man who had haunted her,
like her shadow-no coward, truly!
she thought. exultantly, as she watched
him wrestle with the great pillows and
fight his way free from everyone.
The moments passed in breathless
suspense until the swimmer had
reached the exhausted man when a
murmur of relief was heard from the
watchers along the shore. Then the
hush fell again, and the silence was
only broken by the booming of the
waters as they watched the brave man
with his lifeless burden slowly, slowly
making his way in toward the shore.
But now, others had breasted the
pillows and were swimming out to
them, and soon they were both brought
in together. rescued and rescuer.
Alexis already was in the thick of
the crowd. barking joyously; and Mar
garet caught her breath with sudden
sob of relief as she saw the dark head
she had been SO eagerly watching for,
reappear above the crowd.
The man he had saved was already
beginning to revive under the hands of
those who were working over him, and
now the eyes of the gallant rescuer
swept the beach as If in search of some
one. Then suddenly he reeled-the
momentary faintness passed and he
was erect again. but that one instant
Of suspense revealed to Margaret all
the bitter truth
When next she stood among the
rocks, the unknown was bes her
She had told him that she was to leave
the place next day, and she had said
good-by,
But if am not content to lose you
SOP he Questioned. ardently. Mar
Garet Dourlas I love You-aud why