The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-07-21

Remond has proved himself SO poEe
and gentlemanly there would be moth
ing out of the way IN your saving II
him that we shall be glad to have hin
call If he chances to be in town.
''Of course he won't take the trouble
to do so or to write again, and that vii
end it, she thought to herself.
But he did write again. And Evaline':
eye had quizzical look il it as she
handed this second letter over to hel
sister.
sit is surely beginning to get inter
esting," said this romantic little dream
er to herself.
But the imaginative Evaline had rea
son to be very much disappointed ant
ashamed at the cool. matter-of-tact way
in which her sister received this SECOND
missivc within a month. giving her al
most the identical message to convey te
her mother that she had before.
"But l notice she takes It up to hei
room first to read" commented the sig
puss to herself. Maybe there is an
other letter inside for her. IT'S so thin
though. there couldn't be very much"
Suddenly Irene turned in the hall
way as though something had induced
her to change her mind, and handed the
letter back to Evallpe, saying:
No, am busy now; you may take il
to mamma first, saying sad for her tC
open it and read it, and then put il
back in the envelope and return it to
me. You please see that she puts ii
in the envelope. won't you, Evaline,
dear?"
Yes" said Evaline, wondering why
Irene was SO particular about tritie,
and considerably nonplussed at this
unexpected turn in affairs.
To tell the truth, her Imagination had
been conjuring up a scene IN lrene's
room, of which she was to be. am
sorry to say, an unknown spectator,
| through the keyhole, possibly, in which
her sister was to tear open the envelope
with trembling fingers, remove the III
closure intended only for her private
perusal, after glanclng over which with
agitated look aid manner she would
| hastily thrust it into her bosom, and
then, composing herself, bring down
stairs the deceptive letter. which was
SO worded as to be admissible Of a
reading by any Of the family.
But here was Irene delivering the
whole thing over to her mother without
opening it and securing her own secret
missive.
$50 he is going to Florida for the
winter?" casually mentioned Mrs. Mid
dleton the first time she met Irene
after both had read the letter.
Eyes, I believe that was what he
said," was the indifferent answer.
Might as well, l suppose" COM
mented Mr.. Middleton when he had
heard the news in the evening. From
what 1 can hear he has no business TO
a companion she is able to pay for his
time
''By the way" he remarked to his
wife next evening, when he came home,
that letter you mentioned.from Red
Mond suggested something, and / have
written him to-day asking him to take
charge OF those Florida lots of mine,
and do the best he can with them. He
can't, Of course, construe that into any
encouragement of whatever fancy he
may have for Irene
mo, should think not" said Mrs.
Middleton. 'It won't give him any
excuse to write to her?" she added. with
rising accent and hesitating tone.
Certainly not, certainly not" said
Mr.. Middleton, emphatically. It's q
purely business matter between us.
The idea would be piece of imperti-
hence"
Irene manifested no outward interest
when it was casually mentioned to her
that her father had put into the hands
Of John Redmond the disposition of
some real estate he had purchased in
Florida. Later. when she and Evaline
were alone together, she said to her
sister:
you are quite little business girl,
aren't you, dear? bringing all the mail
from the Office and opening papa's let
ters for him at his desk. 1t seems as
though am good for nothing but to be
ornamental. Since you are SO useful
to papa. would you be willing to extend
your usefulness little and help sister,"
''Of course would" answered Eva
line. What do you want me to do?"
"Why," said Irene, I'm going to try
to be useful and economical. I'm gong
to make one of those paper cushions
I've read SO much about; stiff paper that
will curl Ike shaving is the best.
Would you mind bringing me the en-
velopes from papa's waste basket, and
be sure and bring them ell, because I
shall want great many"
Evaline was only too glad TO be hon
ored with this commission by her sister.
And the paper cushion must have pro-
crossed fanously, judging from the
quantity of material furnished by this
willing assistant.
Winter sped on, and fashionable So |
ciety in Iredell was in its dizziest whirl. |
Receptions, parties and matinees de- +,
nanded the attention Of the beautiful |
and accomplished Miss Middleton.
But while she shone as a belle in So
ciety and attracted many desirable
suitors. it was observed with some dis
appointment upon the part of her
parents that while she was agreeable
10 all she seemed to encourage no one
n particular, but rather to hold all her
admirers at distance.
Il don't know what she means" said
Mr.. Middleton in disappointed tone 10
his wife one evening. Every girl ought
. think of marriage and settling down
n life as the mistress OF her own home.
She won't have these eligible offers
forever. Can it be that after all Irene