The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-24

y
ninsble to escape SO early a bird
sc oing to PHI edelphia, Ed-business
trip Albert Harley answered shortly,
| not locking up from his breakfast in
the club-dining room, as Edgar Nane
! sat down opposite and picked up the
carte. But he stabbed his friends
clouded face over its edge, though he
retorted lightly:
Case must be "a criminal one, Bert;
for you certainly don't look festive,
Woman in it. of cou, sep
No: but a woulal i IS cause Of my
leaving home for a rns ISIS like this!'' Har-
ley pushed back his p late and stood be-
fore the other, as be added: ED, |
made mistake to MAI ry,''
':You really as1ound aeG' Edgar Vane
said. quietly: but DARK CLEAN crept to
his eyes, and color stohe over his sallow
check. over the Van Dyke beard. You
do not mean that. NLibe is"
"All at fault? Etz" Harley broke in.
But there are a mil lioL of petty trifles
in married life that nor e may dream OF
without experience 600 knows would
speak SO 70 no other ma n living. But
YOU, ID. were my cc&l.ge chum, Ma
bells Oldest friend-ou1~ .grooIusman! /
tell YOU. the first year OF my married
life was heaven: this lasT, has been hell!
No. do not stop me. | cannot explain,
but must speak. Merest trif1es-very-
nOthin~s-co1ne between us. | am a D.
s0rbed in the law: Mabel " Orn and rest
less from ceaseless round Of society. |
know what you would say: faults on
both sides. Granted: but il neither will
acknowledge any fault. there as no way
TO peace. Old friend, my drea N is over;
and'-his voice shook; he swallowed
something in his throa t-''God.help her!
fear hers is over, too
Tut! my boy; you have let yourself
grow morbid"
Il have not" The other turned half
fiercelv on him. Il have fought-yes,
have prayed-against this thing.
know love Mabel; am sure she loves
me-sometimes. only fear she does not
know what real love is-that she never
did know"
Vane's even. white teeth held his lip
firm. and he studied the menu atten-
lively: but has voice was very quiet as
he said:
Probably not. You were a great
catch, Bert ood looks, family and
fortune daze girl
''But not-a LADY, the other broke in.
''Why, Ed, She had refused dozen
richer ment'
"Yes: women are riddles Vane an
swered in deeper voice. by the time
you come back she'll change again"
"God grant it, return at"
"Cabman says just time 20 catch the
| train, sir" the servant said, and Har-
| ley wrnng the others hand as he cried:
"Good-by, old boy. Forget what 1
! said Wen talk no more of it-get"
Left alone, Edgar Vane forgot to or
! der his breakfast, still staring steadily
at the menu. But his eyes looked over
its edge into the past and-the future!
Under the magic of memory, the club
! breakfast room transformed into a bril-
liant ball scene. Music and glare of
! lights came before his dr. eamy sense
T hen the empty parlor beyond became
dim conservatory, whence waited
scents OF tropic flowers and nurmured,
! half-forgotten words. Again he sat be-
meath tall palm; a stately, grand
woman beside him. listening to his pas
sionate voice; her fair head bowed: her
cleaning bosom painting at restraint of
its low corsage A question: pledge
one first mutua kiss of troth-and
the pair moved back among the dancers,
happy, radiant, hopeful,
Ell, IL, -, 10
/ lit, plain sitting-room. The same wom-
an-trembling, contrite. tearful-tells
! him she had spoken hastily; that she
! likes. adni res. but cannot love him:
! that she owes no one-and never can,
/ And he the petted darling of society;
/ the dreaded of mammals and the adored
of aughters-strides forth into the
snowy night. shocked in vanity, irate,
! but not humbledi
/ Edgar Vane dashed the menu to the
floor: sprang erect to his feet and stared
at hi $ reflected shape in the tall mir
ror. Then he ordered and ate his break
fast: his brow 81 GUIDED and his eye
dreamy, but his thin lips smiled under
+ the Van Dyke beard, as he slipped his
Sauterne.
q: ,cas lonely: and II was very good
of you 80 come. Edgar" Mrs, Harley
certeinlw looked lovely, reclining in the
great, tufted chair, her rich teagown
emphasizing the soft curves OF the
finest figure in all society.
Say very selfish, rather" tie man
! answered. car nestly. 4 knew You were
alone Mabel. knew too. you were
/ unhappy"
Nonsense! Why should / be?" A
weary glance around the luxury of her
boudoir finished the question.