The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-06-08
THE FATE OF A FLIRT.
Fer Unprincipled Actions Brought
Deserved Reward.

The delicious fragrance of dollhouse
flowers hoated through the half-lighted
parlors like "reminiscences of the sweet
south" although the matter-of-fact al
manac stolidly persisted in pointing out
December as the month, and the Their
nometer without stood uncomfortably
near zero. But the marble vases on
either side of the fireplace were filed
with roses and heliotrope, from the
tropic warmth OF conservatories. and a
single dazzling japonica cleaned, like
carved pearl, among the jetty folds of
Ella Wardlaw's hair, as she stood smil-
ing, listening to the regretful adieux Of
him whom the world called her lover.
''Good-by, Ella; shall come again
very soon"
Miss Wardlaw's heart throbbed high.
Charles Forrest had never before called
her Ella" and she felt triu1nphantly
conscious that her proud beauty and
her seductive notes had very nearly
brought him to the proposing point. :"
One or two more such vigorous sieges,
and the fortress would be her own.
She sank, yawning, on sofa, as the
door closed upon her lover, and clasped
her white hands canelegsly over her
head.
Mrs. Charles Forrest" she repeated
to herself-''that doesn't sound so very
badly, does it? particularly as the afore-
said Mrs. Charles Forrest will step into
a brown-stone palace, a carriage and q
perfect carcanet of family diamonds!
Yes, l believe he is safely entrapped,
and if play my cards as well as l can,
the matter viii be settled within three
days! Eeigho! this misunderstanding is
a wearisome business. after all; and
rather hazardous, unless one is very
slillful That reminds me-" she added,
starting suddenly up, and throwing off
her soft languor as one might lay aside
a useless garment; 81 must write to
Ralph Thornby tonight; if the love
stricken wretch should fulfill his.hinted
intimation of coming to see me. it
might possibly be awkward"
1t was nearly one, and the fire had
burned very low before Ella finished
the carcfully-woroed note and soaked it
with fairy-like device of entangled
initials in pink wax.
The beautiful velvet-chcel1ed CO.
quette, with her dropping eyelids and
voice attuned to the sweetest and
softest key-one would not have
thought, as she placed that letter on
the marble mantel. that she knew its
contents were meant to break the heart
of noble and true souled man.
When Charles Forrest descended the
broad stone steps of the Wardlaw man.
sion and walked along thelamp-lighted
Street he felt dizzy and happy. The
SIRENS spell was on him-and yet some
warning. watchful pulse down deep in
his heart kept beating the old, incom-
prehensibIe tune: Beware. beware
He passed through the,noisy tunult
of Broadway. y great hotel Office
A crowd had assembled there-the mid
night mails had just arrived-and For
rest. mingled with the throng TO hear
the feeting ruulors of war which then
vexed the public mind.
forrest. old fellow. can it be posi-
bic that this.is you?'
Myself, and no other, Thornhy; but
thought you We're safely settled in
Chicago, practicing law, instead Of"
Instead of running wild about the
country, you were going to say. But l
granted myself a temporary holiday to
-Pshaw, can't tell you aboutiit here:
come up to my room, and We'll have
coy. old-faSh;Oued chat"
The delightful little impromptu sup
per OF weil-seasoned dainties, washed
down by champagne, was over, and the
two gentlemen were smoking, when
Thornby abruptly plunged into the
subject which was uppermost in his
mind
Charley, I'm in love-"
You are? My dear fellow, so an
t.
Il am glad of that, because you can
symp3thize with me. ! have come here
expressly to see her. and have the day
fixed for the wedding"
Il haven't got quite so far as that"
said Forrest, smiling
But, Charley, she is the loveliest
creature that the sun ever shone on
an angel. divinity"
Hold on. Ralph-not quite the lowell
est. l trust; for the lady whom worship
is alone entitled to that superlative de-
gree of praise,'
YOU'RE in love, too. my dear boy. 50
I'll excuse any little symptoms of insan-
ity." rejoined Thornby, laughing: but
really, If yon could see Ena-hold on.
believe I've got her picture somewhere
about me-
He searched eagerly in his pockets.
while Forrest repeated the soft name
over.
"EIlae Why that is the name of the
young lady whom / admire 50 much,
and by Jove. he added, as Thornby I'M
clasped little velvet miniature case.
and held ii toward him, shat Is the very
face, You dent mean 70 say you are
engaged 20 that gi~l?'
To be sure arn-what Go you
mean? Sure<r there IS some mistake.