The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-08

too--t little innocent looking pat CT but
ter! But, then, it was stronghold IL,
John said it was, whereat Mrs John
helped herself generously and said It was
good enough for hex, and she cOuldn {
afford to pay 80 cents a pound Tor butter
when she could get good for so.
Then John inquired If he didn { give
her money enough TO pay her grocery bill
and said il wasn't good enough for him.
Perhaps she had iIeen accustomed TO eat
ing such stuff-he actually went TO the
extent of calling il stuf!-and I can { be
gin TO tell you ali the foolish things that
those two hos tempered young people, who
loved each ether dearly, said. II ended
finally in John IS fiinging himself away
from the table without tasting the lemon
pie. his favorite dessert, which the tired
little housekeeper, remembering his fond
ness for, had taken tine 20 cOncocJ in the
midst OF all her picking and preserving.
John began to get together his fish poles,
flies and other traps, which he wanted 70
take away, for he and six other young
men were having half holiday and had
engaged the boat Bonnie Belle for an aft
ernoon's fishing on Great lake.
He worked hard, this young fellow, as
foreman in a close, stufy factory, and a
half days recreation in the pure air was a
rare event with him. But somehow be did
not enjoy the prospect very much after
that war of words at the dinner table He
wished he hadn't spoken as he did. II
May would only come and help him, but
she held herself aloof while he was gettlng
ready. She had intended 10 slip some
lemons and sugar into the hasket-a pail
of lemonade would be so refresh; 1g, i'm
bibed in the shady glen, after she VOW
across the lake. But now. If BIZ wanted
lemons, he could help himself, she Thought,
after the way lac had talked.
He was a long time getting ready, and
she wondered. as be fumbled with the
lines and hooks. if he really would go off
without kissing her Her anger would
have melted in moment at the first pa
cific sign from him, but che would not
beg for 8 kiss, no!
He started for the door She had a
great mind 10 follow him there. but pride
kept her back He was outside the door
now. She fastened after him. If he
looks around, I'll let him see I'm ready 70
make up, p" she thought. But he did not,
and 50 Mrs. John went back TO the little
dining room end began TO clear the Ia
BILE feeling herself much injured wife
and rather glad, OH the whole, that she
hadn't given in.
But gradually better feelings prevailed.
Scarlet cheeks faded back to pink again.
and temper frightened eyes became dim
with tears.
She watched the clock anxiously. How
slowly the hours passed p. 3, i, d
o'clockl In an hour he win be here"
she said to herself joyOusly, and she bus
tied round TO prepare an extra nice supper.
She even went 10 the corner grocery for il
pound of the 80 cent hutter.
Six O'Clock came, but no John. Half
past 6-7. She was walking the floor in
her unrest and now went out and stood
at the gate. She could see knots Of people
talking eScitodly along the street. a
freckled faced boy running by stopped.
Dyer hear bout the axident: The
Bonnie Belle struck by squall and seven
men drowned"
What's that" asked feeble old man,
coming out of the next house. "Who says
my boys drowned? Why, he can swim.
There amt water enough in Great lake
to drown John Carpenter"
The wind blew his scanty locks over his
wrinkIed old face. His faded blue eves
wandered piteously round and finally rest.
ed on Johns wife
Don't you believe it,, he said, trem
ulously, patting her arm with his uncer
tain, shaking hand.
But apparently she did not hear him.
Drowned, Her John-and she let MIN "a
to bis death without kiss
The frectled faced boy looked at her I'M
easily, digging his bare toes into the
ground.
L didn't know as Mrs. Carpenter was
along" said he alphabetically, forgetting
for the moment his own Importance rs
tho bearer of news il view of her silent
misery.
Some one took hold Of the wife and led
her into the house. She grcped her way
like a blind person. They said she had
better lie down on the lounge awhile anu
she obeyed. She could not see anything
now
Il am dying" she thought and was
happy in thinking So
Then she floated away into darkness,
on and on, for long time apparently.
Finally she saw q light and opening her
eyes saw--yes IL was-John,
Was she indeed in the other world, and
was John waiting for her? She spoke his
name.
Shes coming to. She knowsme, " said
the familiar voice
But how far of it sounded, And so did
her OWE voice when she spoke
Where am L" she asked family.
Here dear, III the dining room,' said
John again.
He was on the floor beside the lounge,
his face close to hers. Their lips met IN a
long kiss.
John, she said solamnly, Il thought
we were both in another world"
L did have a pretty close call, " said he,
''and it was hard work bringing you
back -
The others'' she asked tearfully.
"Will and 1 are the only ones left of the
seven, he replied, with sob.
"Oh, Johnl 1t might have been you"
she cried, throwing her arms around his
neck.
Just then feeble old man who was sit
ting close 10 his son said fondly, in tren-
uIous tones:
Il knew there wasn't water enough IN
Great lake to drown my Johnr'-Waver-
~ Magazine.
Accounting For the Delay.
awker-Cum>o, did you get that letter
7 D.. .