The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-26

in the morning, in which case Bill must
was rule that none of the guests
should ever find him sleeping there I'M
der the stairs.
Nevertheless, huddled up to keep
warm, Bill could not coax the sleep he
had right to expect in consideration
of the hospitality below. Strangely
enough his mind fitted to the young
man who had sat alone in the bar, and
! to his expression when the gentleman
was talking to Null. A sharp arrow of
| light came from a door open about an
inch, latchless door. Bill decided
that that was the room of the young
commercial traveller.
Bill clasped his hands around his
knees and watched the arrow of light
Was it the presumed story of this
young man, or was it a new tale, to be
told to some future gathering in the
bar. that revolved in his brain?
There was a poor, proud fellow in
that story, in love with beauty who
had promised to be his wife. His
wealthy classmate is presented to the
girl. Then there comes the day when
the girls father is on the verge of bank
ruptcy, and the lover knows it. His
wealthy classmate is fond Of him-has
given him key to the house where he
lives SO great is their intimacy.
That night the lover resolves to 60 to
his friend and ask for loan to bridge
over the bankruptcy. Admitting him
self to the house he finds that his
friend has been suddenly called to
another city to be gone month. The
lover goes to desk to write his request
to him, when in a drawer he sees
great pile of money his friend has neg
lected to send to bank, and some gov
eminent bonds as well. And the bank
rupt cannot wait! In a month the
friend returns; thelover tells hi m what
he has done.
$50 away" says the friend. ''You
have gone too far. Can you repay me
the money!
Not now" is the answer. II will
work for it and pay you
The friend turns from him. THE lover
reads the meaning of this, and he leaves
town that night He writes to Ellen,
his betrothed, and receives no reply.
He learns that the officers of the law
are on his track, and he disappears. In
five years he is back again. Ellen has
married the wealthy classmate from
whom the lover took the money to save
her father from ruin. That was the
story Bill thought OF as he huddled
under the stairs.
He smoothed his hand over his face.
Curse it! must sleep" he said. but
his eyes still fastened on that arrow of
light still streaming from tho inch
open door. II will sleep; l must, curse
it ALL"
In the dark room. not in the light
one, there had been for hours
thought of the little school-,eacher-a
thought obtruded upon by a rcminis-
ceace of wealthy man with valu-
able package, and an old, besotted
creature sleeping under the stairs op-
posite the wealthy mans room.
All at once the young man took off
his shoes. There was buzzing in his
ears He opened his door and saw the
light streaming from the crack in the
next door. He looked into the room
The blue-plush box was on the table.
and at the table sat the owner of the
package writing letter on the paper
Null had furnished him. Yes-why.
the man had fallen asleep as ne wrote:
his eyes were closed, his cheek rested
on the table. The young man few
over the stairs. Old Bill was under
them. the man who would likely be
accused of any depreciation. Another
minute and he had reached over the
man sleeping at the table. had the box
in his hand. was out in the entry. in
his own room, trembling like a leaf.
He sank upon the edge Of the bed
holding the box 70 his heart. What
was in the little box? Suppose he had
been fooled.
He strnck match ard lighted his
lamp He opened the plush box Two
magnificent diamonds flashed in his
eyes.
His lie with Mary was assured Ee
chokcd. he larghed-shen he felt \
.toncl, upon his shoulder Old Eli WIS
in the room. lie took the box from the
young man.
Il sax you do IL ALL M said. horse
II. AS ! am. you can be once did
as you have done. only 70 one saw me
do it loved a woman and by my dis
honorable &C, l forfeited Der lows I