The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-17

THAT was two months ago. nc coa-
tinued. You can imagine what his
love for her is to-day when / tell you
that. beginning as I said IL did. it has
doubled each day, until now 1t Is greater
than he is
But all the time he is engaged to
his early sweetheart. They are ex-
pecting him home now. and for all l
know the date of this ill-judged wed
ding will soon be fixed. That IS the
story"
lie leaned YEARLY against the tree
and sighed deeply.
s'Well?n he said
And what am 1 to answer she
asked.
Tell me. Helen" he answered pas
sionately. tell me. must go back to
her? Shall I not tell her how it is with
me and be free? And if | am free will
you"
Miss Gray drew back before his eager
raze. but there was soft, tender light
in her deep brown eyes.
Then it is your own story that you
have been telling me, She said, softly.
Eyes, Helen"
And viii you Go exactly as tell
you?"
81 promise"
''Then go and learn to forget the
woman that you now say you love so
madly. Learn again TO love the sweet
heart OF your youth, who is far more
worthy, do not doubt. Be brave
man, Willis, and do your duty. If you
tnv
her as praying for you daily that you
may be brave, and, Willis-Willis-you
must pray for her, too, for She, too, will
have to be brave"
She bowed her head Us she uttered the
last words and her frame shook. He
was by her side in 2 moment.
Helen, Helen, you do care for me.
then?'
She rested her head on his shoulder
for moment IS he stood with his
strong arms bout her. Then she pushed
him away gently.
Now, CO." said she, land, Willis, we
must never see each other any more.
He looked at her for moment in 81
lence. Then he stopped and kissed her
forehead and was gone.
She watched his retreating figure as
he strobe down the broad road until he
was lost to view behind the trees. Then
she threw herself down on the grass at
the foot of an elm and sobbed as If her
heart would break Willis Dean saw
little of his betrothed for the first few
days after he returned to his home.
There were all sorts of teas and picnics
and the like on the programme, and he
caught a glimpse of her now and then,
but he never seemed to find her alone.
Not that he wanted to. His heart
was heavy, and when it dawned upon
him one day that she was avoiding him
he was rather grateful than otherwise
He saw enough of her TO know, how
ever, that she was faithfully attended
by young westerner who was spend
ing month in the neigh borhood He
seemed to be frank well-mannered
fellow. and Willis was fully grateful to
him also
But about week after his arrival
there was grand affair at his cousins
and Willis went as = matter of duty,
and of course he walked through the
march with his betrothed, danced once
or twice and then wandered out on the
piazza to smoke q cigar.
1t was pleasant place to be or
moonlight night when the cool breeze
was coming in with salty fragrance
from the water below. He drew the
collar of his coat around his neck,
lounged carelessly into chair at one
end Of the long platform and lighted
cigar.
The sound Of music and merry voices
came to him family from the ballroom,
and mixed in d curious harmony with
the splashing of the waves and the muir
muir of the evening breeze. Dean leaned
back in his chair, looking at the stars
His mind went back to the scene when
he had parted with Helen Gray.
How beautiful she was, how noble,
and she loved him
He was aroused from his reverie by
the opening Of the door which led to the
piazza, and, looking up, he saw the
slender figure of his betrothed as she
came through the doorway. She had
thrown a light shawl over her head and
came evidently unattended, for she
closed the door after her softly.
The red glow of Dean cigar attracted
her attention, and before she recognized
him she started back with frightened
little cry.
"Ohrs she exclaimed, recognizing him,
cit is you. Willis"
Even l." quoth Willis, gravely.
II thought no one was out here. l.
l came to be by myself"
Il assure you l shall not trouble you
/ was going in at once, anyway"
Your cigar is not half smoked"
well, no, bat the fact is I-er-''
Yes, Willis, l know But on the
whole, dear. | would like to have you
stay. ! want TO say something TO You.
No, don't throw away your cigar.
want yOu TO be good naturcd- :"
Il am at your service, of course. Flor !
ence"
They sat down. and Willis looked at
the end OF his cigar, while his compan-
ion played nervously with the rings on (
her fingers.
II hardly know how TO begin" she |
observed at length.
Il would help you if / could. but 4
hardly see how | can"
Silence. during which the orchestra
within began 20 play waltz, and Flor
ence tapped the time with her foot
nervOusly on the boards
Willis" shc said at length. 81 do
not want Won TO Think that blame you;
but you have not made ne very happy
in the last few years
Willis said he was very sorry: .ha: he
was AFRAID ne mad neglected her; that