The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-07
HER CHOICE.

make his fortune and Lila Ravens had
promised &c remain true 10 him till his re-
turn. When they parted. ne decided TO re-
turn to Baltimore at oEce ana MAKE ar
rangements 90 go TO Mexico. Lila Harens
went on alone to friends she was to visit
at SharpsbCrg.
1--WE expected you this morning." said
her hostess.
''Yes, dear. but. you see, was unavoid-
ably delayed What lovely day 1t has
beenl''
And there IS telegram for you. Lila. "
Really? Something aunt forgot to
mention, dare say. Excuse NE" She
broke it open carelessly. Dear me-" She
puckered her brow only faDcyl The
admiral is coming down here tomorrow
The admiral appeared on the scene az
noon the day following.
MY dear Lila" he said. II must have
little talk with you"
Eyes, uncle
Lila, my dear'-they were quite
alone-"I have had a proposal for your
hand in marriage. IL had chosen the
man, could not be better pleased than to
see you the wife of Judge Mason
Uncle! He is more than twice my age.
never dreamed of it. "
He is young man, my dear-a vleor-
Gus young man. He will idolize you. Iou
knew he admired you"
He is widower."
''But his only daughter is married"
sob, uncle, tit Is out OF the ques-
tioni'
My dear, you give me great cause for
apprehension 1t will disappoint me ter
ribly If you do not accept him
''But, uncle, am but IS. Why should
I marry for FIVE or six years yet? III never
be young but once-neyerf' she said pa
thetically And / am not penniless
creature that requires a home. 1 might be
allowed to pick and choose"
My DEAR the old man looked sud
denly grave and pale, there is bad
news. You must make up your mind to
meet it bravely."
I.ila's face reflected some Of the paleness
of his own.
'.Uncle-my-ny money? Have lost
it,"
There has been terrible financial fail
ure. l hardly know how TO tell you. We
only heard yesterday, and We don't know
for sure as yet am afraid-Lila, you
must bear up-I am afraid you have lost
nearly all you had"
The girl leaned back in the chair. There
was stunned lock in her face. She did
not speak. The admiral went on speaking
more rapidly:
Il can hardly blame myself. It was an
undreamed of thing. OF course there is a
little real estate left you. Heaven knows
/ wish it had been all in houses. Judge
Mason
"Oh," the girl broke in suddenly, 'he
won't want me Dow-when he knows l
am penniless!'
MY child, he came as soon rs he knew
it."
She went to her room and locked herself
In Then she wrote TO Carroll Trainor:
Il am no longer rich. There is no use
of an engagement have lost everything.
Perhaps you viii be rich some day, Car
roll. If so, you must como and find me. "
But she said nothing of Hon. Thomas
Mason.
Trainor felt grieved at the tone of the
letter He wrote hack reproachfully. she
had made premise. Perhaps she sought
to be released from it. II so, he would re-
lease her. In her place he would hardly
have so written.
But, then. be was only man.
| The girls soul sickened within her. A
brief note from Trainor told her that be
was lust leaving for the gulf coast, where
| be would find steamship for Vera Cruz.
! He thought he would never return to the
/ United States.
A great despair came over her. In her
| sensitive state she felt that he 10 longer
| cared for her.
| She capitulated and consented to receive
| Judge Mason's addresses.
Three months had passed The wedding
| was to take place the ias5 week of June.
! Miss Ravens was TO become Mrs Thomas
/ Mason.
The wedding invitations were about TO
be sent out-the wedding day was fixed a
! fortnight hence Miss Hsvens, out on a
shopping errand, turned street corner
sharply and ran agains. some one. She
looked up and grew pale 1t was Carroll
/ TIainor.
Your she said family.
'.You didn't expect 10 see me, Lila.
for heavens sake, is that trues You are
going to marry Judge Masont"
| She nodded with an effort. The idea OF
| the marriage, to which she had become
reconciled. but never enthusiastically dis
posed, suddenly seemed sickening. Her
whole soul revolted.
CARROLL she gasped. "Oh, CARROLL
II there were any escape!'
Escape: What do you mean' Isn't it
| your own choosing' Are you being forced
into marrying the old widower:"
''I-I-oh, you seemed not 70 want me-
And uncle and aunt seemed Lot 10 want
me- Nobody seemed TO want me-except
Judge Mason. He was very kind, bus I
I never have loved him. Carroll, Il you had
| not deserted met"
.'I-dessrted youi I've Just returned
from Mexico" said Trainor- and m 20
inc back there at once I've got a splen-
I did chRnce. It's lonesome for a man 70 be
by himself Tie climate Is Ike paradise. "
The adIuira! and his good lady were O.
the breakfast table
His morning mail lay before him He
took up the top letter Of all and sazed Sc
/ verely at IT, The handwriting was Lilas
The letter had been posted Tie night be
fore. he opened il, read IL IN silence and
passed II TO his wife
DO not send the invitations II said,
''for I shall nc. marry Judge Mason lie
Is good man ard VIII nndcTstand u WIS
auistake- love some oBe eise and have
gone away 70 mary him We shall spend
cur honeymoon in palm thsEched HIT II
+, Mexico"
Mrs. Blair could not speak After a
moments silence tfs admiral Observed
ION the whole, I'm glad tire marriage =
| Of. TIE judges daughter MAS greatly op-
r,cssd. Size Tsieht have :lat.s things IN
3 rleasans after bsI.
I AID ssiIl again. shes & plackT little
creature. liza is-f;css biess her New