The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-27
That Little Affair.

It was the winter before Will and were
| married that Richard Deering became en-
| gagged to Miss Rhoades. VIII and Rich
ard had been almost inseparable from
| childhood, and the latter was an old friend
OF mine also.
We did not know Miss Rhoades, bu;
Richard assured US We could not fail 10
like her, and Will said his opinion was to
| be considered, for of course 1t was very
| impartial
To tell TIE truth, on meeting Miss
| Rhoades we did not share Richards en-
| thusiasm. She had a reserved manner,
| and was not particularly pleasing in any
way And she did not seem sufficiently
in love with Richard to suit me. ! had
to admit that she was fine looking, though
not handsome. and she was older than
Richard He conided to VIII that he was
past the age TO be attracted simply by
a pretty face, and he had no fancy TO-
| girls in their teens. Richard was 2S.
Our worst fears were soon realized. One
night my betrothed did not come 20 see
me, which surprised me much, for 1t
| was important / should consult with him
| about the new house.
| The next morning received telegram
| from Will:
Gould not come last night. Richard
| in trouble. Engagement broken"
| 1t was two or three days before I saw
| VIII, and then he came in at noon for
| a hurried call. He looked worn and ha-
| raised, but patiently replied to the count
| less questions l asked in regard TO Rich
| ards affair. 1t seemed that Miss Rhoades
had been mistaken IN the nature OF her
regard for him, as she expressed II. In
other words. she had not really cared for
him, but tried 10 do so, urged by her fam
ily. and tempted by his wealth. VIII
! thought there was another lover In the
background, but Richard did not suspect
it, The poor fellow was complete
wreck. VIII prevailed upon Richard to
go away for a while, the latter con-
senting on condition that VIII would ac-
company him.
NV lover could i'll afford to leave at
this time, and his absence would be most
trying to me, as I wanted his advice con-
corning the house.
The trfp benefited the heartbroken lover,
and on his return he consented to take
up his residence at home, and after a
time resumed his customary visits to our
house, though he scarcely spoke, and
looked the picture Of despair
We had expected him TO act as best
man at our wedding, and at last VIII
touched upon the subject.
ut is evident that you know nothing
Of nv feelings" said Richard in an in
L
tend a wedding again as long as live.
Il would be torture, agony, simply I'M
bearable."
VIII humbly apologized and fastened
to ask his cousin to act as best man; he
accepted with alacrity.
Wits sister Dorothy, girl Of IS, was
to be my maid of honor. She had been
abroad for the last three years, finish
ing her education.
It was two or three weeks after Wits
converse ton with Richard in regard to
the matter of best man that one evening
he picked up Dorothy's picture, which
was lying on the table.
What a pretty grill" he exclaimed.
"Who is she?"
you ought to know her. replied will.
"You and she were fast friends once.
She's no other than my sister Dorothy"
THAT handsome girl my little friend Do
rothy! Why. 1 thought of her as still
child By Jove but she's a beauty!
said Richard, with more animation than
he had displayed since his engagement
was broken.
A few days later Will appeared in a
most excited frame of mind. Richard was
at the house at the time, but VIII did not
notice him, as he rushed in exclaiming:
Such i'll luck! Cousin Henry is down
with the mumps. Did you ever hear of
anything so ridiculous, and the wedding
next week.
What is to be done?" asked. blankly.
THAT is more than 1 KNOW" replied
Will.
At this juncture Richard. who had been
looking at Dorothy's picture, spoke rath-
er hesita tingly:
well, old fellow, since you are fn-sach
a tight place, I'll help you out. l will
act as best man"
VIII stared with amazement at this I'M
expected offer, but slapped Richard heart
lily on the back
''Win you, really, though? You're an old
brick"
Richard seemed embarrassed at Wits
gratitude, and added somewhat apologet-
ically:
IF I can accommodate a friend, want
to. That's about the only thing in the
way of pleasure 1 can ever hope to
have"
Dorothy arrived a day or two before the
wedding. We found her even more charm
ing than her picture.
was almost too busy to breathe IN these
last few days, but everything was over
al last. The rehearsal passed of salts
factorily, and so, my friends assured me.
did the wedding. Then Will and / started
away for six weeks trip.
After travelling about for fortnight, we
settled down in q spot which was most
restful and delightful.
We were not getting dull, of course,
but when 1 said one day that I would
like long, newsy letter from one Of the
girls, VIII echoed my wish heartily.
That afternoon came a letter, not from
one of the girls, and not long. but deci-
dedly 'newsy," so much so that ii fairly
took away my breath. II ran as fol-
lows:
Dear VIII: Congratulate me, 1 am
the happiest man alive. Your sister Do
rothy, the dearest girl in the world, has
promised to marry me.
NO time 10 write moro now. Your
friend and brother-to-be,
RICHARD DEERING"
'P. S.-Perhaps it would be just as well
not TO mention that little affair of last
winter 10 Dorothy. She might not under
stand ii. In fact, 1 don't understand ii
myself now. r."
"A A Johnson in Waverly Magazine.
Notes of the War.
MANY Of the horses killed in hattIe rara