The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-07-15
Stories of an inland State.

| Madge heard the conclusion of Joey's
story in silence and turned to the work
she had begun about the little room.
"It was good In you to come. Madge,'
he said.
She turned to him with something In hes
eyes which reproved.
mot that he corrected. mot good, 4,
was noble in you to sacrifice yourself for
my comfort. 1t was ignoble in me to send
| for you"
NO" she said simply.
ut was wrong in me-" he persisted, "to
ask you to sacrifice your reputation.
| Reputation" he repeated with strange
accent.
He thought she had not comprehended
his words, but wherein he could not dis
| tinguish. He studied several minutes. say
1 ing then:
Your reputation, Madge."
| She did not answer again, but turned and
studied him keenly.
You do not understand me, Madge.'
| mo. 1 do not"
You do not comprehend how serious
an act yours was-in coming here"
II comprehend that fully"
you came because -"
Because I wished to come
Nothing more. Madge? I'm sure you're
pouting"
IF have been kind" he said with une-
motional clearness. You can repay me
| by being sensible. The world Is very large
and a country neighborhood does not make
or unnake regulations, fast as lie trav:
els. Suspicion is not verdict OF guilt.
With Nadge Barrett the reputation of
Madge Barrett is good and shall remain so.
Once before I nave heard your opinion Of
coquettes. 1t was not good. For that
| reason it would be fitting for both of US to
be sensible. And now if you will sleep.
know it will be best for YOU"
This was said with such gentleness that
his surprise grew as he contemplated the
vigorous Interpretation he put upon it.
Then of love we shall speak nothing"
Absolutely nothing
The green leaves on the branches over
hanging the door turned and rustled in the
fitful breszes of the woods. a breath OF
GOODNESS stirred from the little brook.
and a fiutter of birds on a neighbor-
ing tree lent their shrill songs to glorious
concert. Nature IN that dress is a sitmu-
lus and he said lowly but firmly:
But I, Madge. shall talk of love-
''Sieep instead"
"Madge give me your hand. Come,
please"
How long will your provisions Iast?"
Come, must talk of love, OF -" =
"You must have coffee. Is there none?'
Coffee! Nonsense! Listen to me, Madge"
"And nothing to boil it in?"
"Madge, will you listen? I love -"
"And no stove to boil it on. It's a won
der you are not dead
"Madge! Madgev he cried.
''Delirium," she said looking upon him.
And no medicines"
He laughed outright.
"Madge." he said. "You always were
clever girl.'
The laughter was infectious and she
laughed herself and said:
More delirious than ever"
''You were serious a moment ago. Madge
Never be so again.
"Quinine would do him good"
''You are humorist, Madge, upon my
SOUL You are best jovial'
-go-to-sleep," she said approach
ing him and raising her hand as a mother
threatens baby.
hooking her.
elaboration of a man proceeding wariIy as
if he were reading from book
"Madge, 1 love you. I sent for you. You
shall nurse me back to health. We shall
return to the city. We shall be married
We shall be happy. Do you love me?'
ut is so sudden" she said ironically.
"But seriously, Madge.-
do love your"
Eyes. Do yOu?r
She thought Of the day she had planned
the capture of this mans heart, with the
purpose of jilt;ng him. when ne had turned
the tables and beaten her at her own game
and she answered archly:
Mo-
Come. Madge. seriously"
"No"
why do you take your hand away?'
Because I am serious. ! do not love
you
And you have come here?"
IAN act OF charity"
''Still jovial. You play with me-"
Yes" she said. IT have played with
you. But must not. I can not love You,
ever. You are the son Of rich parents,
parents above me and my friends and my
station -
He remembered the promise to his mother
that he would not marry a country girl
60 could not enter your circle Of
friends gracefully. and 1 would not endel
it at all. Our paths will part-and We can
be friends-good friends. There are good
farmers. back there waiting for me-there
are beautiful women back there waiting
for you"
Sha IVA ~ ia
dwelt on single memory-the Sunday In
the church.
As man of honor will sometimes angle
for circumstances to win him victory in
spite of his efforts to prevent X, he hoped.
And you are serious?''
81 beg of you to believe me serious''
But you shall love me, Madge."
That can never be-
But shall win you?"
NO"
Come. Madge. You shall love me-"
Her bosom rose with passion and her eyes
streamed flames of light, but she answered.
mo"
But you shall love me. You can noa
help yourself"
I'VE shall see.''
Come. 1 have brought you selhshly here.
l have exposed You TO gossip and calumny.
We al least shah rot be guilty of anything
with even the faint OF improperly. Tell me
you love me. and we shall plight our troth
here. II Will take burden from both our
min is
NO she said impatiently, pettishly.
'.Ah we'll" he sighed discouraged. 1--WE
will talk again"
He turned and slept.
And she stood quite still there in the
bright light OF the afternoon. The choru. |
OF birds had fnXn AMY and the sttllne