The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-06
In the Elevator.

started for his rooms TO dress for the
cluo dinner.
But the club dinner was no longer in his
mind. The contents Of that letter engross-
ed his thoughts to the exclusion of ev-
| erything else.
1t was from his late travelling compan-
ion. Birch. whom he had left in Paris a
month ago. and who now wrote from
London TO tell him that the Kinssleys
had quit the continent and were intend
| ing 10 sail for America at once.
so the coast is clear, old man, and you
can come back" declared the writer. per-
suasiveIy. You were an idiot ever 10
run away as you did Join me here in
a fortnight and we'll still be in time for
that Mediterranean trip
! Camperton's jaws were set and his
brows were contracted as he stepped into
| the elevator.
He knew that the Kingsleys. in return
! ing to America at this time, were cur
| failing their original program by at least
six months. And it was easy 10 guess
| the reason.
They were coming home to prepare for
| their daughters marriage to her titled
sutton. The Count himself. no doubt.
would follow In short time 10 claim his
bride.
And / must get away before they ar
rive decided the young man. IN go
back to Europe by the next steamer"
Through the mist OF his abstraction he
| observed that the elevator had an occu-
pant besides himself-a woman who had
| seated herself in a shadowy corner OF
| the car-but her presence did not change
the current OF his thoughts.
The elevator came TO a sudden stop-So
sudden, indeed. that Camperton. not being
prepared TO check his upward course all
at once, involuntarily rose TO his uptOes,
waving his arms like huge bird about
to take flight, and then pirouetted grace
fully toward the other passenger in the
corner.
There is no danger, madame" ne be-
gan in his most reassuring tones. We're
fast between two floors and must wait
awhile"
He stopped short as he noted, with sur
prise and alarm. the attitude of the lady.
She was still sitting in her corner and
was holding a handkerchief over her face,
while little convulsive quivers and shrugs
of the shoulders indicated that she was
weeping.
In his contrition and his desire to soothe
her narrowed feelings he was about to
sit down beside her. when a sound that
was strangely like giggle came from be-
hind the handkerchief.
Camperton started up flushing holly.
DO forgive mel' and the laughing
voice suddenly became coaxing. 81 know
it is rude of me to laugh, but o. Mr..
Camperton, you can't imagine how funny
you looked just now, when you went hop
ping and Waiting about and kneeling at
my feet-for all the world like a perform
ing beari"
Camperton did not hear. He was star
ing at her in blank amazement. He made
several attempts TO speak before the
words would come.
Miss Kingsley" he managed to articu-
late at last. His heart almost stopped at
the moment of recognition but it was now
beating furiously. Il suppose this is your
astral body. 1t cannot be your real SELF
20, but it is!' said the girl with anima-
ton I'VE came over in the Campania,
which arrived this morning, and We are
stopping at this hotel until our house is
put in order
''We?'
"Of course; papa and l. You don't sup
pose 1 would come alone?'
Il didn't know. was not exactly ex-
pecting you to come at all. Your plans.
as l understand them, would have kept
you abroad the rest of the year."
Miss Kingsley dropped her eyes.
ut is always easy to change ones plans.
you know" she said, betraying a slight
confusion.
You did not honor me with an explana-
ton Of why you left Europe
But the noteI" he exclaimed.
1.-THE note. Mr.. Camperton?"
And my letter? Do you mean that you
did not read my letter through-the one
l sent to you at Hotel Continental, two
days before my DEPARTURE"
ct rppaiypd M le+tar FROM,
But. Miss Kingsley, you-you answer
ed it. You told me not to mention the sub
ject again, and you are annoyed because
L have insisted on reminding you OF that
letter. But l only want to explain why
wrote it. All Paris was connecting your
name with that of the Count, and there
were persistent rumors that you were to
become his wife. 1t was common talk
that your father had set his heart on The
match, and nobody seemed to question
your willingness to become a Countess.
The rumOrs and the gossip had a most
depressing effect upon me. I think you
know, Miss Kingsley, what my own hopes
were. l had loved you for a year, al
though had made no confession. could
rot believe that you cared for the Count,
or that you would sacrifice yourself for
title, even TO please your father. But the
anxiety and suspense became so intolera-
bic that l resolved to end the uncertainty
and learn my own fate Owing to your
fathers espionage l was unable 10 find
an opportunity 10 speak with you alone.
so 1 wrote that letter, confessing my
love, begging the right to put an end 10
the rumors concerning you and the Count,
telling you how anxiously I should wait
fer an answer. and assuring you that II
my offer were rejected would leave Paris
ard Europe and never annoy you again"
I never received the letter." she said
softly. without looking up.
Never received it, Then, how do you
explain this answer he demanded.
1 wrote that nOte-yes; but not in an
swer 70 any communication from you It
was not intended for you. l do not know
now it came in your possession. You viii
see that the upper part of the sheet has
been carefully cut of. On The detached
part was the name OF the person 20
whom It was addressed"
She raised her eyes and he saw tina,
there were tears IN them but before he
could speak she asked: Did you send
your letter to me by post or ny messen-
ger?"
why. sent It by Tomasso. the little
Italian, whom often employed in that
way"
And he brought you the answer
Certainly"
'Ah! l think I understand Il now" shs
said. her expression showing the light OF
a sudden conviction. 'Tomasso. as We az
terward learned. was in the pay OF this
Count, who employed him TO spy On tie
movements Of people whom he desired 10
keep under surveillance. II was he. I
an now sure. who intercepted your letter
and sent back 70 you this note-H-s Oh
ject was 70 get you out of the way. TIE
note was originally addressed 70 HMM
reply 70 his third proposal OF marriage
and he cut OF his ONE name AID sent !: