The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-05-02

Margaret's cheeks and her gaze again
sought the window. She did not glance
in that direction again, but felt in some
way disturbed and vaguely reminded of
Phil. Dear old Phil, What was the
use of Auntie whisking her off? She
was old enought to know her own heart
and it didn't need two years abroad,
though she had enjoyed it immensely,
to decide who was her hearts master.
Her heart reproached her some wha I
when she thought Of Douglass Hep
burn. He was so honest, so honorable,
and in every way so thoroughly one OF
Gods noble men. and he had loved her
so well-yes she had treated him badly;
but then she had not thought of him,
when Phil had taken her in his arms
that memorable day two years ago,
and poured out his story Of how ne
had always loved her, but how he had
foolishly plighted his faith to a young
girl in his college town for whom he
had felt but passing admiral ton, and
so had not dared to tell her all that was
in his heart to say when he went away
to the cruel war; of his wound and i'm
prisonment, of his escape TO a foreign
bound vessel, and after a year of ad-
venture abroad he had returned to
find his betrothed another mans wife.
how he had then FASTENED to her, Mar
garet, only to find that another had won
the prize he coveted; of his determina-
ton TO see her; and then the denoue-
ment in Aunt Molly's parlor
Well, after all, things were best as
they were. 1t was only just to Doug
lass that she should give her love to
Phil the test of absence. And SIM
ming it all up Margaret smiled half
sadly and ended her musings with the
thought "Tis not that 1 love Caesar
less, but Rome more
ALLOW me-" Margaret looked I'D,
much startled at the sound of the deep,
pleasant voice, to find the tall blue
eyed stranger standing with the maga-
zine in hand, which had slipped from
Mrs. Thurston's lap to the floor Still
the same quizzical, admiring glance.
AS Margaret put forth her hand to
take the book, she noticed on the
strangers cheek, just peeping from the
silken blond beard a deep scar, her
face paled and then the crimson tide
came pouring over her face and throat,
PHI, Mr.. Laird" she exclaimed. He
smiled and took the extended hand in
q close warm grasp. Margaret, my
Margaret" in low tender tone, which
the rumble and roar of the train per-
mitted only her ear to hear.
By this time Margaret had recovered
her self-possession and invited Phil to
take the chair opposite her. How
surprised Auntie will be to see you" do
you think so?" 'Why, of course" said
Margaret. I'VE just landed yesterday,
from the Invincible''
do you think 1 am improved by nv
two years abroad?"' archly, What have
you been doing all this time?" gianc-
ing at the heavy, distinguished beard,
and Have you seen my people recent
ly?'
one question at time, please"
DO l think you improved?" Well"
Il suppose l shall not dare
say otherwise with a glance that
caused Margaret to give her attention
to the moving panorama from the Win
dow. How many Dukes and French
Counts have you made miserable?"
smiling roguishly at the astonished
face turned toward him.
What have L been doing?" "Well,
you know, if there's anything in the
way Of a fight, my natural pugiliStic
tendencies leads me there, and L have
just returned from the Chinese coast
where l have been acting as war CORE
spondent."
The inevitable train boy, with his
basket of oranges, apples, bananas and
persuasive voice and smile passed
along and awakened Mrs. Thurston
from her dreams. She glanced at Mar
garet, who answered her with acharm-
ing smile, 'Auntie, this is an old friend
of yours, don't you know him?"
Laird smiled at the puzzled face of
Mrs. Thurston and began, Il am sure
Mrs. Thurston =" "Why, the idea,"
him, 'If it isn't Phillip
Laird! This is an unexpected -"
The sentence was not finished A
violent jerk, a swaying sideward move
ment of the car. great crash, and all
was blank