The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-12

across the face under the sailor hat \
tinid hand stole beneath Seths arE. He
put up his own hand and stroked il. That
was enough. All the world was filed with
sunshine again. The shop windows were
an endless panorama of wonder and beau
II. and the discorl2nt music of the street
bands had u note OF heavenly sweetness in
it.
Il dunno what makes Seth s'win ter
town so often these days II kinder wor-
rits me- I'm feared he's lookin for a Job.
an don't seem z If could spare him off n
the farm
Farmer Petty was out in the wood she'd
removing his boots. He spoke through
the open kitchen door TO his wife, not
knowing that Lucia Gray was in the room
with her. The girl had dropped in en- her
way from the store. She dropped in fire.
erently Of late. a strange uneasiness pos
sessed her. She wondered why Seth did
not come 10 see her oftener. He called
hardly twice a week now. and he used 10
come nearly every evening IL was very
strange.
She started when she heard Mr.. Petty's
words, and sudden, sharp pain pierced
through her heart. She knew that Seth
was not looking for job in the city. He
had told her that he could never live there
it would craze him. He loved the quiet
and homelikeness of the country. Yet be
certainly was going into town oftener and
oftener. What could draw himf In an
instant the girls thought flashed back TO
that memorable visit To the metropolis
Lucia made some hasty excuse and es-
capped into the gathering dusk. She re
Eer al M hat Cb had Of
the young men Mt the store talking about
the price os wool in town, and one of them
had jokingly remarked that he wouldn't
give much for certain young man wool
If his girl found out the party be was
dealing with.
Oh, Godi What If it had been Seth
they We're talking about?
That evening when the IL O'Clock train
from the city stopped for moment az
Barnet Station the muffied figure OF a girl
met the solitary passenger who alighted-
Il kind of thought you might like com
pany home, Seth, >" she said timidly. Ma
isn't feeling very well tonight. and I've
been down to DIR. SmalI's for some medi
cine
The young man turned TO her with a
strange blending OF yexation and tender
ness in his manner. "What Is fool you be,
Looshr' he said. but so longs you re
here, come on
The wind was tossing the trees over the
dark, deserted country road as they
plunged into the night. What a meaning
sound the branches madel
.'Sethi' The voice was trembling and
faint
"What do you want, Looshy" Tie had
20 stoop little to catch her words, the
wind was blowing so hard
''Do you love me as much as you used
to, Sethf"
a long minute passed before there was
any reply Then the young man faltered:
Yes, Loosh, do-more But / don't
deserve TO. and you hadn't ought % let
me"
"Oh. Sethi WHY" She threw up her
arms ami -drew his face down 10 hers.
Becuz-becuz I've ben tbinkin Of Civ
in you up for stylisher girl. God, What
a fool l wasl don Z ask you to forgive
me, LoOsh-I don't see how you could. But
God knows don't want ncthin more 20
do with-with that other thing She amt
worthy % tech what you've tbrOwed
away" He Strengthened himself up and
shook of her clinging arms. Il ain't fit"
he cried Don't ever think Of me sg'i in
Come on--let's GO"
But the arms were about his neck again
so close, so warm lie tried 70 unloose
them but they were like the wire that
holds the OK I'm a ceHtury's clasp. SO
word was spoken but in their hearts they
understood perfectly Kate Field Wash
ingtOn.
The three ablest men IN Europe are
said 70 lie Gladstone. Bismarck and