The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-02

pened during these few weeks. much that

Lettuce Is at present in Ignorance OF.
II we enter their little sitting room and
listen to the conversation being carried on
by the two occupants, we shall learn the
nature Of what has taken place. One oc-
cupant is Barbara Maitland herself.
The other occupant is u man about 20,
dark and handsome, albeit tanned by ex-
posture to wind and weather, as well he
may, having only lately returned from his
fruit ranch in California. He is Lady
Giendower's brother.
1t all seems so strange" said Barbara,
''to think that we are actually engaged TO
each other and yet that we don't profess
to love each other in the very least"
Yes responded her companion. Then
he added, Barbara, would you not like
to know why first thought of taking q
fruit ranch in California;"
YES, certainly should"
THAT was tho cause" and Godfrey
placed in her hand tiny morocco case,
wherein was framed the portrait of a love
ly girl, spirituelle. yet full of vivacity,
with deep blue eyes and golden hair.
she died, and now, little woman, you
know why told you 1 could never make
love to any woman again. 1 was nearly
mad with grief for time after 1 lost her,
and went out to California and plunged
madly into work. At first, as you know,
things did not prosper, and 1 lost lot of
money. Now l have regained all l lost
and am comparatively rich man, but if
/ am to succeed and take large numb Der
of pupils, as I hope to do, wife is an ab-
solute necessity TO me-"
That same evening Lettuce arrived. Let
ticc was 70 and had tall, supple figure
and a face OF wond-cus beauty. Her eyes
were of that rare blue violet shade, her
hair a soft nut brown. They had finished
tea, and Barbara was seated in a low chair
by the open window, Lettics on a stool at
her feet
What, Barbara, a new ringf' cried the
younger sister, capturing Barbars's left
hand and examining the lovely sapphire
flashing on the third finger. "Ah, you
are blushing! What have you been doing
while 1 have been away? Come, tell me
all about it,
Il have been getting engaged, replied
Barbara demurely, and then, TO her sis
ter's great surprise. she told her all about
il.
So Lettice was introduced to this new
brother, and the new brother and Lettuce
got on very nicely together. Lettice was
just of an age to be fascinated by man of
Geoffrey's age and style rather than by
one nearer to her own age, and Godfrey
was taken by her fresh girlish ways and
by her natural, unconventional style.
So it was ali arranged-a marriage Of
mutual satisfaction and esteem, but no
lovemaking.
But the little god was not to be cheated.
Eo two hearts, after one eostatic bound Of
passionate joy, as they realized that they
are all the world to each other, are plunged
In anguish and despair as they also realize
that they both are in honor bound never
to be more than friends.
Lock into Godfrey Selhurst's room late
one evening toward the end of August as
he PAGES up and down, needless of the
fact that the clock is already registering
the small hours.
''Fool-fool that I wasI" he calculated
STOOL to tell myself that my heart was
dead and buried with my lost love, and
now it is beating as wildly and with as
passionate love for another, and / may
not claim her. I am bound in honor to
her sister -
Barbara shall never know it. muir