The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-17
A Mean Advantage.

They were riding & tandem She was
in front-a pretty, laughing, pouting dam
| sci with a wealth OF copper-colored hair
and pair OF tantalizing. mischief-mak-
| ing eyes. He sat at the back, gloomy
| in face and in mood. For him the course
Of true love ran anything but smooth.
He had known her for years-had been
her school companion, in fact. had been
her devoted slave since the first day they
had met. He remembered that day very
| well. He had bought whole cake OF
chocolate. and he loved chocolate dearly
1t was his first hard struggle with sest.
but he conquered, and after a long. last
look and a sigh he offered her the whole
cake. And she-she took Il all with a
smile and ate It without offering him as
much as a bite
He looked back at their lives since. and
felt that chocolate incident had been con-
stantly repeated ever since. He had CIV
en- and she had accepted-still with a
smile It's true, but smiles did not con-
tent him now. They were so ready. and
she gave them 50 freely TO others.
He meant to have everything or moth
ing AS ne sat behind on that tandem
and admired ner bright hair and caught
glimpse OF her dainty profile every now
and then, he made up his mind 20 put an
end to his sufferings one way or anoth-
er that evening He buried himself in
thought for some long time. and then a
bright idea occurred 10 him. But his long
silence evidently seemed to irritate the
front rider
How dull you are today. JackT' she
said. impatiently You haven't said a
word for the last quarter OF an hour
Don't you think it IS about time We turned
back?"
what are you IN such a hurry aooutr'
asked Jack
The girl laughed a BIT consciously.
"Wen. 1 promised that / would get
home before o'clock-and it's very par
ticular" she added, with a pout
Mr.. Seymour coming round, proba-
bly," said Jack. Mr. Seymour seems 10
be coming round good bit of late doesn' {
he? But, Clare. I'm awfully sorry, but
1 don't think you will get home IN time
tonight
What do you mean?" said Clare. quick
~.
We'll. to tell you the truth, don't
know exactly where We are"
Don't know where we are" echoed
the girl angrily Don't be absurd Do
you mean TO say you have brought me
out and have been stupid enough 10 lose
the way"
mat ABOUT the Whole size or the
matter" said Jack, cheerfully
We'll you'll have to find the way, that's
all about it, said pretty Glare. vindictive-
ly. And III tell you plainly that
shaIst place myself in a similar predic-
ament in hurry. Mr.. Seymour wouldn' I
have done such a foolish thing.
Good gracious! No! laughed Jack
Fancy seeing old Seymour on a tandem"
''Ife is a gentleman, If nothing else"
snapped Clare
well hope So" replied Jack. Hes
got nothing else to recommend him. Well,
we won't discuss old Seymour. The
thing is to find the way. Now. jump OF
and wen have a look about US.
They slowed up to where two roads
met and Clare did as she was hidden.
There was no sign-post, and Jack seemed
profoundly puzzled.
II think" he said, after a bit, wen
leave the tandem here and go and ex-
plore a bit. I'll take the road to the left
and you the one to the right. and Wen
meet again in this spot
ooh, no. no. mol Jack" said ClaO
looking round her nervously. It's get
ting so dark and I'm afraid. I couldn't
go down that long, dark lane
''Wen, you stay here and I'll have a
look round. I'm not sure. but l think
this is what they call "Cut-throat Cor
ner''