The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-10-26
AN EPISODE.
One Of the Unconventional Kind
That Some People Like.

The cOnventiOnalitieS that hedge :
girl of gentle birth had surrounded
Margaret Douglas all her life. She hac
been educated in select and fashion
able school. She had spent veal
abroad with her parents-and then she
had been launched successfully into
society, where she had been one of the
seasons reigning bellies She had ha6
many admirers. but though their atten
tons had pleased her, she felt her heart
beats neither rise nor fall as each sue
cessive sutton received his dismissal
for her father privately held ''othe,
views for his beautiful only daughter.
The winter before, in Mexico, Mr..
Douglas had come into close contact
with man who had inspired him with
such genuine affection that to him
alone he felt that he could willingly
intrust his child. This man was ex-
pecteo to reach New York in the course
of the summer and Mr.. Douglas, having
cordially invited him to his home, could
only wait and trust that Providence
would look with favor upon his cher
ished scheme.
On this May morning Margaret Doug.
las was walking down the avenue with
no other aim than to give her pet
French poodle his daily exercise and
airing, and she looked the high bred
girl that she was, lovely in face and
faultlessly ,gowned. She was thinking
of her mothers recent illness, and the
consequent change in their summer
plans, when all at once Alexis bounded
forward, barking excitedly, as he spied
a fancied canine.acquaintancei in pass
ing carriage. The sudden strain proved
too severe for his delicate silver collar,
a link gave way, and exulting in his
new-found freedom he darted among
the maze of rapidly moving vehicles,
and in moment was under the feet of
a pair OF plugging horses. Margaret
gave a cry of alarm IS she saw the
peril her pet was in, bCt at that instant
a passing stranger spraag forward and
caught the now terrified and howiing
animal from beneath the horses feet.
the sidewalk with the dog
under his arm, the young man dexter
ously wrapped his handkerchief around
its crushed and bleeding paw.
"Your pet is not seriously hurt. but
still it is case for the vetcrinary"-he
said, waving aside her thanks
"Poor Alexis! must take cab and
have him attended to at once
The stranger hailed passing han
som. handed Margaret in, directed the
driver, and then, to her establishment,
stepped in and seated himself by her
side.
Margaret drew herself up IN indig-
nant alarm, but there were no signs of
further impertinence on the strangers
bronzed and bearded face. The dog on
his lap howled plaintively, and
reached out her small gloved
hand to comfort the sufferer.
Don't touch him. warned the stran.
ger ut is not safe, though he wouldn't
mean to harm you"
An instant's rebellious hesitation.
hen she withdrew her hand and sat in
lignified silence, with face averted, I'M
til the cab drew up at the veterinary
door.
Having been treasured as to the ex-
tent of his injuries, and convinced that
she was leaving Alexis in good hands,
Margaret reentered the cab, prepared
now to repel the presumptuous stran-
ger should he again attempt to place
himself beside her. But, closing the
loor upon her, he bowed respectfully.
Then, bending forward, she said with
Ter natural well bred grace: Thank
you for all your kindness-to poor
Alexis"
, But when. upon her arrival home, the
lriver refused her proffered payment
With the words: 81 dassent take it,
gentleman has paid me al
eady"-the color flashed across her
ace, and she murmured: "Insolent!''
The physician had ordered Mrs
Douglas away to the sea, but she was
10 sooner established there, with her
laughter and her maid, than her
trength suddenly failed, and for some
weeks she was unable to leave her own
lpartments. Margaret had hardly left
Ter mothers side. until one after
loon when Mrs Witherbee, a gay
7oung widow of their acquaintance, in
listed upon her going down for an
lour, under her chaperonage.
My dear Madge," Mrs. Witherbee
aid merrily. as the two settled them
elves in coy corner of the piazza,
within sound of the music: II have al
ways held that you were the properest
girl of my acquaintance; you are pain
,uily CONNIE il faut, and it would be a
positive relief to catch you tripping"
Margaret laughed gently.
but the worst of it is" continued
Mrs. Witherbee. that you will never
know what you have missed! There is
nothing in the world so delightful as
IN unconventional episode; and the
most interesting people are those who
ire just little bit off Now you are
but only wish that I could
convince vou!'
A tall and well-made man had been
threading his way among the groups
N the piazza and approaching them
lnnoticed. Now he paused at Mrs
side with outstretched
hand
why. of all the people in the world!
Where did you drop from?" she cried.
with genuine pleasure and surprise. :
There was something familiar to
Margaret in the erect figure. and while
she wondered what association it had
or her, he turned. and she recognized
t he rescuer OF Alexis.
He bowed. and in her surprise Mar
yaret was betrayed into returning the
and Mrs. Witherbee's
'Madge, dear. allow me to introduce
vas merged with her usual vivacitv in