The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-02-23

south windows
1 supposed, naturally enough, that
all was going right, until one day ] re-
ceived note from my old friend Bull
lion, the banker, man of sixty, who
wears wig and spectacles, and counts
his income upon the double figures
Bullion wrote from Brighton, where
he had gone because he didn't know
what else TO do with himself in the
! dull season. He asked me to be his
best man. Bullion was going to be
married!
'tOf course you'll think it a foolish
I thing for me to do" wrote Bullion;
''even at sixty man has not entirely
outlived the age Of sentiment; and
when once you see Sophy Adriance you
viii forgive any seeming inconsistency
on my part.
''Sophy Adriancel' Was this the way
poor Charley's fancee was serving him
while he was across the channel. try
ing to earn little money for her sake?
My heart rebelled against the tickle
| ness of woman.
went straight to the pretty West
end house. It was possible that might
be misled by similarity of name, al
though even that was unlikely.
is Miss Adriance at homer" I asked
of the servant who answered the bell.
NO, sir. Miss Adriance is spending
few weeks with friend at Bright
on: she answered, promptly.
That was enough l went home and
inclOsed Billions letter in another en-
velope, directing it to poor Charley
Dresden's address, post restante, Paris,
adding few lines of my own, wherein
/ endeavored to mingle consolation and
philosophy as aptly as possible.
ITS an ungracious thing for me to
do, sending this letter." wrote I. but I
believe it to be the part of a true friend
to undeceive you az promptly as posi-
BILE. Bullion is millionaire. Sophy is
possibly but fallible mortal after all.
Be a man, Dresden, and remem Der that
she is not the only woman In the world
who would rather be an old mans dar-
ling than a young mans slave"
And then l wrote curtly, declining to
stand up with old Bullion.
1t was but a few days subsequently,
that the waiter showed an elegantly
dressed young woman into my room at
the hotel where vas stopping. rose
IN my surprise. Aside from old Aunt
Jane Plat and my laundress my lady
visitors were few. But the instant she
threw up her thick tissue veil recog-
nized the soft blue eyes and damesk
rose cheeks of Sophy Adriance.
''Oh, Mr.. Mortimorel" she cried. pit
eously, II know you won't mind my
coming to your hotel, because you seem
exactly like father 10 me" WINGED
little at this. But I have received
such letter from Charley; and, as-as
you've known him for such long
time, thought perhaps you could ex-
plain it to me- Oh, have been so
wretchedi And, indeed, I didn't de-
serve itl''
She gave me tear-blottcd letter,
and then sat down 10 cry quietly IN tho
corner of the sofa, until such time as 1
should have finished its perusal-
It was FIT mirror of Charley Ores
denis impetuous nature, full of bitter
OdIh
back her troth, and limiting gioomily
at suicidei When l read it scarcely
wondered at poor Sophy's distress
What does he mean, Mr. Morti-
more?'' asked Sophy, plaintively.
when he accuses me of deceiving him.
or selling myself to the highest bidderr
Oh, it's so dreadfulV'
1yo,, RI haoaypa ha Mia 90
Bullion, the banker?" l asked, sternly.
"Oh, dear, no." said Sophy. That's
mammaF'
''Eh?'' gasped l.
ITS mamma" answered sophy.
''She's to be married next week Didn't
you know it?"
l stared straight before me. Well, I
had got myself into pretty pickle by
meddling of3ciQusly in affairs that
didn't concern me.
Look here, Miss Adrisnce," said L
ct will te II you all about 1t"
So l did l described old Billions
letter, my own false deductions there
from, and the rash deed l had commit
ted IN sending the bankers corrcspon
dence to Charley Dresden.
And now" said l, do you wonder
that he Is indignantT'
Sophy's face grew radiant
But there's no harm DONE" said she.
"No real harm, mean. Because I've
written him long letter all about
mamma and Mr.. Bullion. which be
rnust have received almost the next
mail after he sent off his crue2,
cruel sheet of reproaches, And pray,
Mr.. Mortimore, don't look so woe
begone, she said, kindly. Your mis-
take was natural enough"
Sophy was true prophet There
was no real harm" done. The next
mail brought letter full of entreaties
TO be pardoned, and brief, brusque
note to mo, which told me, not exactly
in SO many words, bat in spirit, that I
had q great deal better have minded
my own business.
Which l really think I had.-Figaro
4 QUEENS PRIVILEGES.
Victoria May order Whole Opera Com
pany to Sing for Her.
There ara soma dalirbtf,,l v,-ar~r,