The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-01-21
Stories Of an Inland State.

John" asked Miss Woods of her broth
er, ARE you going to be elected to the sen
ate?"
John Woods dropped his book and looked
at his spinster sister. Mary. then away
then back again to her.
Yes he said.
Are you quite sure?" Mary asked, run.
ming her slender hands over her thin hair
combed back gfstening tight.
Certainly, not sure he answered
But the chanc Is brilliant. isn't it?''
eyes, Mary"
The elderly woman passed the pages OF
an open book quickly over the ball of her
thumb again and again.
The two were alone in the house where
they lived. They were not rich, but we'll
TODD. John Woods was lawyer and a
politician, more the latter than the former.
There was CLINT or two of gray about his
temples and a tendency to portliness which
put his age somewhere near forty. His
sister, his one near relative was ten years
his senior plainly.
They had lived together for years happily.
She had been attentive to him and he had
been good always to her. II was his plan
TO be good to every one.
There was nothing false in his uniform
display of a gentle, kindly disposition. 1t
was rather the natural exuberance of the
man and being unaffected had always pass
ed at face value in politics with heavy pro-
fits TO its owner.
There was a joke on his lips for the
,1umblest, care for the rights of the most
helpless, an apology always for the unfor-
H. chi nf t,sc ynt-
him; the young men respected him and
grew warm under his indifference to their
youth and consideration of their opinion.
The young women studied him generously
but in perplexity. The matrons of the
town held his opinions high and the men
spoke always of him with supplemental
comparison Of his heart to something ex-
large.
He was now in the race for the senate.
in an ordinary contest he would have had
a "walk-away." But the force of the state
Boss, Mark Wayne, was turned against
him and against him was the money of
Criggle. his opponent, and the fight was to
be a close one. Still he believed he would
win.
isn't Wayne against you?' asked his
sister. Anu ISL ne very pOWeI1uls
Yes, he is powerful, Mary"
But you will VIM"
See here, Mary" said the brother.
whats got into you tonight? / am sure
you don't want me to drag you through
weary exploitation of my senatorial can
vas. Is it that?'
They both laughed.
NO" she said.
He resumed his reading.
How old are you, John?"
Now, what question. You know how
old l am
But you are getting quite old"
"EhT'
You are getting quite old"
eyes, he said pleasantly. but my men,
cry hasn't begun to fail YETI
Eyes, but it has,
at has? How?''
1T has always been deficient"
Johr Woods arose and looked at his SIS
ter sharply. You've got something Mary
On your mind. Tell me-"
Yes, Jonn, have. Your memory has
failed you. for ysu have forgotten a wife
Ill your life
And you a husband. Bad memory runs
il the family"
Don't joke, John, be serious now You
are now going on forty. i am still older
Some day I will go and then you will be
alone. That is the penalty for bachelor
hood. John, the penalty Cor an indefensible
refusal of the best the world has to offer.
Then there is another. consideration. You
are poor new and humble. Tou say you
will be elected senator. Suppose you are.
Il is hig', place. You will Win honor and
anie. feel .lla. yod will. i know that
'ou will. 1t will be rothrrs when you get
I. 1t is everything 10 anticipate, TO hope
or. I VIII share them with you, John,
,ut share them yourself with some good
woman. Make her your wife. Get mar
led. Let her feel that apprehension for
'ou and the fidelity TO your good fortune
which VIII blossom into success and bring
he real joy that the full blown rose can
ring only to those who have watched its
Unfolding petals in sunshine and storm.
The day after you begin to climb is too
ate. Let her start with you, now
Success would be selfish" he said.
''Yes. Share it and the sweetness of VIC
DRY will increase
Your are a dear, good woman" he said.
But this is queer. A wife. Mary-I-I
ont want to be a brute-but who would
Gu suggesty'
THAT is a rude way of putting it, John.
our own mind should answer that"
mo. no. he said hastily. Mary. you are
GOD hearted, but you ask me to marry
ONE indefinite peIson-any one. I can
ot love bv rote''
A look OF pain swept over the elderly !
face.
"Ah,' she said in a hard voice. You are |
'aiting for an affinity"
Let's drop this he said irritably.
AN affinity?''
You pers,st-yes-an affinity"
''You will never find it. 1 waited, John"
There, there" he said stepping over to |
there she sat You're crying. Let's drop |
ne nasty subject" !
No" she said. I'VE will not drop il. |
,rop the illusion of an affinity. The gods |
re not steering US around like fl;cks OF |
ust cast uron lake with a divine pur- |
ose of bringing two dust spots together. |
thought that once, but il is Illusion. Az |
nifty, John Woods, is a fraud
you're getting to be quite lecturer"
'Don't be frivolous John. Ia woman |
ant talk the sequence of my thoughts. Do /
yourself
You want me to say I suppose that the |
-orld is made up of men and women-of |
ax differences-and that II there were only |
ne man and woman on earth, they would |
larry with no thought Of affinity"
Yes"
Blu; when they are more than one man
nd woman. then comes the element OF /
aoice''
Yes
''Tha; a man must choose from the field
e occupies
Yes. What is your field, John?'
For that purpose. the world"
mo. this town. John. Try TO love some
nod woman Encourage a fancy of az