The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-22
A Misleading Telegram,

Jane was going to be married. The cor
| tract was ali ready to be signed that very
| evening" and the notary, with her fance,
| were 20 come down from town by the
same train in time for dinner (Jane's
father lived in the country. but as the
! happy groom-elect was never known 20
be on time in any Of his appointments.
/ James papa had privately sent OF q tele-
| graphic dispatch half an hour ago saying
| TO the young man, do not come late"
| SO now all was in readiness.
The eventful night had come. the guests
| for the ceremony Of signing the contract
| had arrived and all was prepared. The
| little bride TO be began TO feel nervous as
the hour drew near for Jeans arrival
Wheels on the drive! She few 10 the
door The notary alone had come by the
6 o'clock train-no Jean. Twenty times
at least she had gone to the end OF the
long terrace to catch a glimpse Of his
approach, but nothing met her view.
Bah" said her father. do not fdget
so. my child: he will come by the 8
train; he is very charming. this lover of
yours, but he is always late"
ooh. papar'
yes. yes. always behind time"
At o'clock they sent again 70 the sta
ton, but no Jean was there. Dinner was
served without him, Jane trying bravely
to be cheerful with her guests, but as
the hours passed and no lover appeared
she could bear 1t no longer. She left the
room and ran TO the end of the terrace,
where she could weep in solitude, but
young cousin-a fine looking feIlow-had
followed her. and said gently: You weep,
Jane" Jane sobbed out: "Oh, think what
an affront-how can I face all these peo-
ple?"
do YOU love him so much?'
NO; not so much now; but was happy
in being married; all my schoolmates at
the convent are married already"
Jacques smiled. Never mind" said he,
well find another husband for you"
You think that so easy? Papa was
long time selecting Jean"
But suppose know Of another; Ell, lit
tie cousin?''
Jane answered joyously: "Ah, then
should quickly give Jean his dismissal;
but, oh, dear, when 1 think that all the
arrangements are made, that tomorrow
the wedding guests will be here-I feel
as if I should die with shame. 1 wish
could"
Foolish girl; there is no need for that;
tomorrow you shall be a bride; there will
be no excuses to make to the guests; the
bridegroom of whom I speak will ask
nothing better than to marry you at once,
for he loves you; he has loved you for
years, but did not dare to tell his love,
because he believed that you loved the
other, and if you marry him tomorrow he
will be the happiest Of men," Struggling
with emotion, he ceased for a moment.
then said softly:
Little cousin"
Jacques"
''Well?"
well, do not regret this, Jean. I will
not give him another thought. Bring
your friend here"
Jacques took her hand. Have you not
OWNED that it is I who love, who adore
you, who has loved you for years? I
know I am not a sentimental fellow like
the other. but my heart is yours alone"
Jane thought for moment, then said
quietly: Jacques, 1 believe it is you I
have loved, after all, without knowing
It, for as you spoke just now my heart
beat with JOY. But come, let us go to
papa-the notary is here; there is moth
ing to do but change the name in the
contract, and tomorrow we will be mar
ried. We will leave directly after the
wedding breakfast, and when the other
comes he will find me gone
They laughed together like children, and
ran to explain matters to her father, who
was not quite so ready to accept the situ-
alton.
why, you stupid fellow, did you never
speak before?"
Because Jane was rich and I poor"
But now
'Now l. too am rich. A distant rela-
tive has left me all his fortune of 100000 |
francs which enables me to ask the hand
of Jane without being regarded as a for |
tune hunter"
The father speedily became reconciled to |
the change of bridegrooms, saying: "All |
is prepared; the priest will be here tomOr- |
row, and the marriage will take place |
after all-and when the other comes how |
furious he viii be- But he will be as he |
always is-too late"
The happily couple had just driven away |
from the house next morning when a !
note was brought to the old gentleman, |
with which was inclosed a telegraphic !
blank. 1t was his own dispatch.
He read the letter accompanying 1t and |
rubbed his hands.
''No wonder he is furious, poor fellow! |
sent him a message thus: DO not come too
ate and the operator made it read thus:
DO not come, too late. Adapted for the
ArgOnaut from the French of Marie
Louise Neron.