The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-09
What Became of a Conspiracy,


| you would have discharged him long ago.
| Here has Sidney Lawrence been waiting
and serving for you no less patiently
than Jacob for Rachael, these seven
years and more, and yet my recreant
! brother is the favored one. Unless you
| take him in hand soon your lilies and
roses viii wither, and even faithful Sid
ney viii come TO worship at a younger
fairer shrine. Every one supposes that you
and Clarence are engaged, and yet he
| has never in so many words made you an
offer of marriage. Now. while we know
| that he considers you his betrothed, he
does not seem TO realize the embarrass-
ing position in which this tedious court
ship places you. and should therefore be
brought to a knowledge of it or punished
for his delinquency"
During the earlier portion of her friends
remarks a smile lowered around Lulu
BTandons lips. and she continued her
task of cutting the leaves of the last new
magazine; but as the final sentence was
pronounced her face flushed deeply.
My private affairs need not concern
the public, Belle she replied with dig
nifty. But I agree with you that 1 have
been too patient. 1 acknowledge myself
TO be considerably at fault, for l proved
an easy conquest, and Clarence may have
grown lukewarm in his affection, feel
ing SO secure of mine. OF course word
or TWO from me and I might become
wife within the next twenty-four hours;
but all such words must come from my
lord himself
Her brief displeasure gone, with merry
laugh she arose and linked her arm in
that of her friend, and drawing her to a
coy sofa in one corner of the room, pro-
ceeded to formulate plans by which she
should bring her lover to terms without
his knowledge of her conspiracy.
That evening, at tea, Mr.. Clarence Cur
It's suddenly inquired
Been over TO the Brandon's today,
BELIEF"
Yes. and by the way, Clarence, Lu re-
quested me to tell you not to call this
evening, as she will be engaged"
'-All right, sis: I'll go around to the the
alter with Roberts,
There was a significant twinkle in her
eyes as Mrs. German rejoined-
q hope you'n enjoy the play. The Ken
dals are drawing large houses"
Two hours later Mr.. Clarence Curtis was
leisurely scanning the crowded theater,
bowling TO those he recognized, when. just
previous to the rising of the curtain, his
friend Roberts exclaimed:
why, as I live. there's Sid Lawrencei
Who knew he had returned? l wonder
who the lady is, Can it be possible? It's
Miss Brandon, I never supposed she
would accept any other escort save your
self. What is it, Curtis, a lovers quar-
reI?'
Yelling his surprise with forced smile,
Curtis nonchalantly replied
Not to my knowledge" Then he ad-
ded, somewhat impatiently, 4 am no
ogre. Lu has right to go where and
with whom she pleases."
In spite of the Indifferent manner and
careless tone, Roberts noted that his the
ater-loving friend took far less interest
in the play than in the couple who occu-
pied one of the boxes nearly opposite from
where they We're seated.
Lu had surely never looked so exquisite
ly dainty and beautiful as tonight. She
seemed the embodiment of health, all
aglow with happiness. Yet the lovely face
and. graceful figure irritated him by the
very beauty of which he had always been
proud. This radiant piece of flesh and
blood did not seem so exactly his prop
erty as formerly. Was it because Sid
ney Lawrence was so attractive? They
had been children together, Sid and Lu,
and he knew she had always regarded the
studious, dignifed boy and man as an
elder brother, while she gave the love
Of her young heart to his comrade and
chum. How well he recalled the days
years ago, when Sid had told him with
sad eyes and tremulous voice that Lulu
had rejected himl He comforted him as
best he could, selffshly exulting in the
thought that he possessed her love I'M
asked, unsought. Strange that his pos
session never seemed quite so valuable
as tonight! He wondered what Sidney
was saying to make her smile and blush
so deeply. Well, the act would soon be
over, and then he and Roberts would go
and see them, and so give the public to
understand that matters were as usual
between him and Miss Brandon.
With this thought he resolutely turned
his attention to the stage, and persever-
ingly held it there until the curtain fell.
Then, turning to Roberts, he proposed
that they should go over to the opposite
box.
As they entered it Sidney greeted them
in his usual sincere and hearty manner.
while Lulu, with a smile. gave her hand
first to Clarence and then TO Roberts. al
the same time motioning her lover TO
seat by her side. AS Roberts for a few
minutes engaged Sidney in conversation,
Curtis managed to ask Miss Brandon why
she had not informed him of her desire
to come to the theater. She frankly re-
piled that she had felt no special wish
and asked her to accompany him. This
she told him with a manner so devoid of
coquetry that he felt treasured. and left
her with a complacent feeling that he was
quite sure of her affection.
He called to see her the next evening
as usual, and nothing was said OF the re-
cent incident. Clarence's brief jealousy
was forgotten, and he calmly accepted the
old condition of things. Why should he
be in haste TO marry even the most
sirl in the world?
He hesitated TO give up the freedom
and luxury of bachelorhood for the re-
straints which marriage must inevitably
bring. Lulu was such a delightful COM
paniou and sweetheart Would she be
equally charming as a wife? Whether
or not she wished to marry he never con-
jectured. He had always lived for his
own comfort and self was his first con-
So when he left her that eve
ming the words were still unspoken which
would bind her 10 htnl, and he was yet
Il free man.
4 fortnight passed, as usual with TO
change in the relations of the two. Lulu
was q proud girl, and Mrs. Germans look
of inquiry every time they now met was
hard to hear. Matters reached q climax
on the day when Belle incautiously said;
Il have been scoldinC Clarence about !
you Lulu. tell him he viii rue his in
difference when it is too late
Indeed Lulu's laugh was rather
forced. And what did my lord say?"
%, that he was sure Of you, or some /
thing Of the sort. He is abominably con
ceited though he IS my brother"
Are not all men so?" asked Lulu /
lightly; but her eyes were Ike sparks.
When at s o'clock next morning Clar- /
ence called To see Miss Brandon. the maid /