The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-07-27

| pretty. There was nosegay OF
| flowers on the table, which she had got
at half price from her greengrocer, who
| thought Miss Barden beautiful, and the
''affablest lady" he had ever seen. The
mother was ordinary looking, but she
was quiet and lady-like. Mr.. Hartopp
was not marrying man, but he liked
! female society, and, as he had few con-
genial friends in Liverpool, he told
himself that this sudden acquaintance
| was a perfect godsend and would help
him to many agreeable afternoons and
evenings during his exile from London.
This was at the beginning of his visit,
and half-an-hour's amusing chat con-
firmed his impression. Then, as he was
thinking he must leave, very unwilling
ly, for it was real enjoyment to watch
that beautiful face, and follow with his
eyes those gliding, graceful movements,
there came a sudden lightning flash,
followed by a crashing thunder peal,
and the sky, which had been gloomy,
looked very dark indeed.
The invalid pressed Mr.. Hartopp to
stay. She said it would make her sadly
nervous If he ventured into the storm,
and as she spoke the room suddenly
lightened with another vivid fash, and
the house seemed to. shake with the
thunder that followed.
When Louis Hartopp finally left, he
was completely infatuated with Miss
Barden. He was one of those men who
at once defy new acquaintance or
acquisition; he had gathered from the
talk of the mother and daughter that
they knew very few persons in the
town, and he felt glad that he should
have Flossy all to himself. He thought
that she was not only beautiful, but
that she was extremely gifted, and
that she had cultivated mind. If his
senses had been clearer he might have
remembered that Miss Barden had
listened far more than she had spoken.
and that she had not only agreed with
everything he said, but that she had
exerted herself to praise his opinions.
She had not feigned this sympathy;
she was as completely infatuated as Mr..
Hartopp was, and she determined to be-
come his wife. She had not doubt
about it, or a fear; she was absorbed
by the pleasure she had found with be-
ing with him. This was love, she told
herself, true love at first sight, and she
felt that it had begun with her before
she saw him; even when she was look
ing for him among those horrid clerks,
she knew she was looking for the man
she should love with all her heart and
soul.
At first Mr.. Hartopp only called on
Sunday, but he met Flossy almost
daily She spent great part of the
day out of doors. They did not walk
together, but just chatted few min
utes and passed on. Then one day she
said she was going to Manchester, and
he met her at the station when she
came back, and he saw her safe home
Little by little he came oftener to the
house, and Flossy used to linger with
him in the passage when she went to
let him ont.
One day Mrs. Barden asked her
daughter whether she was engaged to
be married.
NO" was the answer, mot engaged,
but we understand one another"
Flossy turned away with sparkling
eyes and slight stamp of the foot, at
which ominous signs her mother, who
had learned to dread her handsome
girls flights of temper, became dumb
with regard to Mr.. Hartopp's inten-
tions.
Flossy was pleasant and extremely
Il.
to do her justice, she had never been /
taught to control a naturally violent /
temper, either by precept or example.
She was very angry at her mothers /
question because she had been con-
stantly asking herself how much longer I.
Louis Hartopp would wait before he de- /
clared his love: Miss Smith had also /
said she supposed she would soon be 1
called upon to play the part Of brides /
maid. Though Flossy's temper was /
vehement and her viii undisciplined, /
she could curb both when she chose, I
and Louis Hartopp never imagined .
that his beauty was not as sweet as she /.
looked. He was really very fond of her. !
She had a keen sense of the ridiculous,
and. like most men, he loved to be
amused. He was also fond of music,
and she sang very sweetly.
One day. several weeks after their
first meg ting. he was utterly surprised
TO find her grave and silent IT was
the day after her mothers vexing ques-
ton: the girl had come some way from
home To meet him. she had been telling
herself Louis Hartopp E-ust mean 70
marry her, or he would not ask her to
meet him in this way. She was de-
- find out the truth, If she
could, without vexing him
I'm not sure ought 20 have come
70 meet you" She looked gravely into
ais eyeS
why not to-day as well as any
7thcr day. He smiled. bat he fel. un-
.2sy.
She locked wounded and grave- than
.re- as she answered. Because mother
links ii must look strange for as 10 be
% much together.'' -
Hartopp felt rcry angry (. was ae-
'urd. he ihouxhs. Tor tha. old invalid
. interfere with her beautiful healthy
amusement
Flossy went Oh: I'll father had h=ed.
&c would no. have allo~ea Us 70 De So
o intimate
She looked al him now. and he felt
lbliced to answer
4 am sorry 70 hear this. be said: II
iou's think ctr sess<s-iatz-cc has done
'ou azy harm, and il h4s certainly
'een ve-y delightful ssr re. vou sssrely
10 not -aas 20 ezd i. Elossy4 as s4l1,
eaGe!ls.