The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-13
Effie's Marriage.

Nnen Is ne coming. my charming
bridegroom. mammal" asked Fife Pal
grave one day, much as If she had con-
sented 10 the engagement all along.
Whenever YOU like, dear
Il hope he won't expect me to be SEN
timentaL 1 suppose not, though An old
fogy like him viii be too rheumatic 10
trouble me with demonstrative affection"
He is only As, my dear child
Very likely. but he is as stif as a
poker, and when he dances he Lifts one
on ones feet and shakes the room"
Married men don't often trouble them
selves 10 dance with their wives. Fife.
therefore, you can Danish that grief from
you al all events"
The ceremony was over; tender youth
tied 10 middle age FOR life; for better. for
| worse. Effie had swallowed that much
gilded pill
Even to think of Laurence Leicester
| was now a sin, she told herself; yet she
| met him everywhere, her eyes would
stray 10 the door until he entered, and
she allowed him to talk TO her and put
on her wraps as he had been won't to
/ do.
Had he and she not been so bssely
handled she would have behaved differ
emily, she also told herself; for her nus
band, she was forced 20 own, was good
man.
Too late she had learned that Lau-
rence's coming marriage TO Miss Fsisey
/ had been contradicted. She had been
duped into a hateful union. and 1t gave
/ her almost right 70 permit her old lover
! 20 hover around her.
! An, almost-nOt Quite-the right. Not
! great deal of difference in the phrase, yet
enough 10 torment her conscience at mo-
\ ooh h.
wrap from Laurauce's hands with firm
ness and dignity-by the way. how dig
nified he could look at times, considering
/ that he could not dance-or when he
| framed her small face in his hands and
turned it towards hum, looking a. IL with
! patient mOurnfulness which hurt her
more than if he had struck her.
1t was not long after this that Laurence
| Leicester went home from his club with
white face and a dizzy brain. He had
been playing higher even than usual, for
tune had made a dead set against him,
and he was a disgraced man unless ne
could have the command of several thou
sands. He reviewed his position, but knew
that he could not lay his hands on as
many hundreds.
Yes. there was one way, but
The blood mounted to his brain as he
took a scented, prettily tinted letter from
his desk in Effie's beloved handwriting.
Hitherto he had never held ii without
putting it to his lips, but now he could
only hold IL stiffly while he struggled
for power TO act a chivalrous mans part
and destroy it.
Twice he put it away, third time he
took it out again, thrust it into his peck
ct, rushed out, and made his way to
Grosvenor square.
What were few thousands to her?
Her millionaire husband was so lavish he
would never know for what purpose they
had been used.
Naturally ne would not threaten her;
in fact, he would not, except as last
resource, show her the letter. She was
so good that she loved his fair name bet
ter than he did.
LET me see whether I take in your
meaning, Laurence 1 am to rob my hus-
band in order to
"Effie! What word! He gives you
untold thousands to do what you like
with"
In fact, I might construe your words
into a threat. If L like 1 may buy back
my letter; that is, if 1 fear my husbands
anger should you feel disposed TO show
it TO him."
For heavens sake, don't look like
that. Effie," he cried, land forget all L
have said. I am cur. There, see," and
he tore the letter into fragments. Il am
a disgraced man, and desperation led me
TO this dastardly conduct"
Effie staid his hand as ne was about TO
throw away the pieces. then she COM
posedly gathered them up in her hand
kerchief. "EGie!" he repeated, in I'M
feigned anguish. Forgive me, and for
get this wretched business. Let me fling
away those bits of paper" Forgive him!
Yes, perhaps in time she could do that,
but forget it. never, and she loved this
man, loved him instead of the husband
who was waiting for the day when her
heart would cease TO go astray, and turn
towards its rightful place.
Laurence, don't press me for an an
swer tonight. Come tomorrow morning"
But [ want no answer" he said, We
hemently 4 tell you my madness is over,
and l humbly beg your pardon. OF course
III come tomorrow just to see you, if you
don't hate the sight of me, that is
He gave her a long look as he left her;
she was so still, and If she said good-by
the words were inaudible. And there
she remained half stunned, yet mechan-
ically thinking.
1t was best so. will never see him
Il.
l had attempted the final farewell. He
shall not be disgraced. but the assistance
shall come through my husband. Ell will
help him, l know. and he IS so good and
so patient that he viii not expect too
much from me-just-at first"
"I say" said one club acquaintance OF
Iaurence's to another. Leicester is in
luck. 1 wish 1 had MS appointment. IN
common good one,"
In India, is It not?'
yes"
Efie did not make quite a full confes
sion at that time; not until later, when
they had drawn nearer together.
The exact words OF his reply not even
10 her mother did she repeat, but they
caused tears Of repentance and Of glad
ness 10 flow in abandonment from her
heart
As time wore on. when they took their
daily drives. the spectacle OF the quiet
faced man and the now blooming. happy
Young wife caused much talk. and much
wondsrment that for once the NEEDING
OF The Fate" had not wrecked Two or
more lives-London Argosy.
madam. the Jokes on Us"
CFrom the New York Tribune)
The other dav." says the New Orleans I