The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-20
TWO LOST YEARS.

The curtain had just descended On the
second act of be SOmnambula -
From the proscenium boxes the great
auditorium looked like a garden of NOV
ing flowers. To EIiab Brown it resombled
a picture of the dazzling scenery of the
Arabian Nights.
.sThat is what you call an opera matt
nee, ehg'' said the old man at length, lean
ing back and taking off his glasses.
Well / do wish your Aunt Sary was here
to see itl Not that the music suits me.
1t S all kind o mixed up. -
Katy Sumner laughed at her uncle's
ideas of musical excellence, but she put
her little gloved hand caressingly on the
old man s.
A group of young men stood lounging
in the hobby, languld and efeminate look
ing.
Haven It seen wyndham here today, %
drawled one. sDoesu q he usually patron
ize this sort of thing?''
There's his sister yonder, - returned
another. ''Nice girl, but rather old maid
ish. BY the way, doesn't Kate Sumner
look charming this afternoon. Wonder
what old antediluvian shes got with her?'
81 never guess, said the first speaker.
cts too much trouble Heuol Here's
Wyndham 90
Richard Wyndham, tall, naughty look
ing man, took a leisurely survey of the
house.
4 merely came as an escort for my sis
ter. Excuse me- I must join her"
As Richard Wyndham walked slowly
down Broadway, with his sister hanging
on his arm, he was unwontedly silent.
Dick, what is the matter with your
asked Miss Wyndham impatiently. Give
asked you three times what you think OF
this new singerl'
Forgive me, said the young man. II
confess to a little absentni ndedness today
How should you like to visit Switzerland
this spring."
If you are determined, certainly But
had hoped you would have seen some
face with enough magnetism to chain you
to a happy Preside of your own. -
Perhaps I may have been fascinated
beHitohed, % he began, but at that moment
Mr.. sumner carriage rolled by
Katy hand lay oaressingly on the win
dow, with a diamond bracelet blazing on
her wrist. Her sweet face, just tinged by
a deeting blush, looked out, with a smile
of recognition
Richard bowed, as the high stepping
grays whirled past him, and, with a face
somewhat paler, finished his remark, But
have had courage to resist the snare"
The last apple blossoms lay in rosy drifts
on the velvet grass Of country orchards
the bright American sky was bluer and
SUMMER than the heavens Of all the south
ern chimes that lie in soft, eternal sun
shine.
At least so wyndham thought as he
stepped once more on shore from the deck
of the steamer which had brought him
across the Atlantic.
A homesick wanderer, alone now, for
Emily lay under the turf of a little church
yard where the viOlets of France bloOmed-
He shrank from recognition and was
seriously annoyed when an old acquaint-
ance caught him by both hands
Back again, eh? Come, you shall dine
with me tonight, and Well talk over old
times
No refusal would satisfy Alric, and
Wyndham was forced to comply.
PLENTY of changes, - said the former as
they sat together over their dessert. But
that's generally the bill of fare when
man returns from two years absence
Let me see. Jennings is dead Soames'
wife has eloped, Maynard is married. old
Sumner failed and died afterward- You
remember his pretty daughter, don't your
AND
sumner failedP What has become Of
the family?"
"Don't know, I'm sure. You know
how it is in a city like this-when q man
goes under the tide closes over his head
ClairvilIe has made a fortune In the wine
business, and''-