The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-06-17

tongue limOcrc0 up, ana Snc COiO u
many things of interest about til,
mountain country. From her genera
conversation We learned that some PEG
pie, no: Miss Spivvens, however, be
lieved Miss Susie Ricketts, TO be thu
belle 80 them parts" Her remarks
about Miss Susie aroused Toms inter
est and she led him across the room K
present him to the alleged belle.
Susie was shy little creature, but
the one of all the others that would at
| tract attention. She was simply and
befittingly clad in plain white froch,
that. although loosely made, revealed
| the grace of her figure. Fer gold
brown hair was caught at the back and
fastened ny ribbon and then allowed
| to fall in wavy mass upon her shout
ders. Her face was whittier than the
| faces Of the others. and two bright
| crimson patches burned Oh either cheek.
| Her words, her manner, her general
| appearance were those of the noun
TAIN but there was subtle charm
about her for all that.
All this noticed from my post across
the room from her, and I noticed, too,
that Tom had grown quite animated
and was telling her story Just as he
would have done if she had been of his
own circle. Tom danced with her, not
once, but many times. He missed two
dances, the two danced with her. &c
called me over and presented mo in a
very formal manner. She and Tom
were already on good terms, nd she
laughed iInmoderately at everything he
said, whether it was funny or not. She
looked up into his jolly face with an
Hank Hester came over to me with a
puzzled look.
Hes a-makin' love TO Susie fit to
KILL" said he. land she seems TO like it.
1t 'ud be awful tough if he was to cut
Sim Ridgcly outen her. They're en-
gagged. you know"
He pointed out 4 very miserable and
MISUNDERSTANDING young man who
was narrowly Watching Susie and Tom,
with the remark that Sim pears to be
a-talin it purity hard already"
When the dance was over, I heard
Tom whisper to Susie and ask if he
might walk home with her. A look Of
pleasure swept over her earnest face.
Il cane with SIM mean Sim Ridge
ly." she said, half apologetically, land
he'd be mad if l LETT him. Next time
you may go, and won't you come
round? We live about half way tween
the Eesters and the station" Tom
promised that he would be around, and
as we walked home that night he was
in jubilant spirits and told me that he
would have a picnic now, that he had
found his mountain maiden.
The next day we saw Susie at church.
looking even more charming than on
the night before; and Tom walked home
with her, much to the evident discom-
fort of Sam Ridgely.
After making Susie's acquaintance
the days seemed to pass easier for Tom.
He was with her nearly every day,
in his ingenious way to find
an opportunity to call or meet her some
where. Tom has the happy faculty of
making himself the friend of nearly
everybody with whom he is thrown,
and he was soon friend of the Rick
etts family and a welcome and priv
LEGGED visitor at their home. Every
night Tom would tell me of the prog
ress he was making in his suit for
Susie's favor.
Il haven't got to the point Of propos
ing yet" he told me. but you just
give me time and I'll do it. I'll just
make Mr.. Simeon Ridgely sorry he ever
was born. and then We'll go quietly
away, and soon after we are gone she'll
forget me and marry Simeon and live
happy ever afterward. It's some diver
sion, anyway"
The picnic at Haunt's Bend was the
event OF our summers stay in that Sec
ion. People gossiped great deal
when Tom disappeared with Susie and |
heard many such remarks as that |
iudish town teller hev laid Sim Ridgcly |
n the shade with Susie Tom didn't |
rive the wretched Ridgely single mo-
nent at Susie's side during the entire |
lay. and the poor fellow could not con-
cal his jealousy and disappointment
That night he called on Susie and be- |
ran to cfide her for her fclsleness. She |
lushed up and made n sharp reply |
simeon, very much hurt and quite |
said:
"A!l right, Susie, go an marry the
eller from town. You're tired of me,
n ] kin see it. Don't let me stand in
he way, Susie. You amt mine, an !
faint been since you seed him, but I'll |
,e always your friend"
And SO they parted. Susie was too
iappy to shed single tear, but poor
simeon wept copiously on his pillow
hat night, and. after dropping into a
itfu sleep, dreamed that it was not so
t all, and that Susie was tho same to
i'm as ;she had been before she saw
ON Sanderson. Susie told Tom, and
he night after that he came in rather
ate, laughing:
I've done the,grand act. old boy" he
aid, beaming at.me as happily as fell
DIV might who had made love con-
ract which he Intended TO keep. I've
roposed to Susie. and she wilted right
way and fell into my arms. She told
lc afterwards that she knew loved
er the first time | saw her. It's funny,
int it. how litusc it takes to fool
oman" We had many hearty laugh
yer Toms engagement, and roared
'hen we thought of the rare stories we
Tould have to tell the boys about it
A few days later l felt twnges of re-
horse of conscience When l saw Susie
nd Tom together and noticed her alb
dilute faith in hiE,. | saw then that
'om's diversion. IS he called it, would
ave lasting results SO far Us Susie was
oncerned. She loved Tom. That night
cautioned Tom Of the seriousness of
is position and advised him to give |