The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-02
The Wages of Sin.


chids. Imagine a host who had sprung
from nothing and grown into so muci
gold, and hostess who has come of
/ good stock and descended into diamonds
! Among a sprinkling of politicians and so
/ ciety butterflies sit a certain Captain Pow
er and certain young heiress. as beau
! tiful as she is rich. On the mans othe
side is the daughter OF the house. pale
faced girl with the manners Of Duchess
and a brain that has been crushed by th'
! weight of gold.
Il think she says gently. that We mus
try and persuade you 10 come to Us To-
! Henley, Captain Power.
You know 1 am always engaged
the man commences. when the heires!
breaks in
20, yes; but this year you must come
L am TO be there, too, and We can nave
! such fun
The soldier fushes.
81 must think about It." he answers.
The pale girl notes that the heiress Ia:
| flushed too. and signs.
Il suppose" the heiress goes en-, thai
4 you have seen Loie Fuller?
| Yes" he answers. at RANDOM, with MS
| blue eyes watching her face.
she makes a beautiful. artistic pic
| ture." the pale girl says.
A picture,'
1.-The color effects are wonderful. She
| reminds me of the flames We can dis
| cover in a wood fire..
The heiress murmurs charming" anu
! Captain Power seems a little at a loss how
! to continue The heiress notes the crest
| fallen appearance of the man on her other
SIDE who has taken her into dinner, and
| filings him a word or two in order TO re-
store his appetite.
Then the conversation. which is triv-
ial and uninteresting, recommences. The
few clever men there are-like the Still
fewer clever women-crushed by the
weight Of gold 1t surrounds them in ev-
cry form; 1t flows to them even IN the
voice of their host, and they cannot strus-
gle against it. Their only retaliation will
be their remarks the next day to SYM
pathetic circle OF friends.
In the midst of il all the Captain tells
the heiress that perhaps he VIII 60 70
Henley, and she murmurs foolishly but
prettily.
20. don't go merely to please me.
But it Will be pleasure
"You have always refused before.
IT refuse nothing now that takes me
where you are"
1T is sweet OF you to say that-out' OF
You can quite believe II, and you know
YOU do believe il. That reminds me: will
YOU let me come and see you tomor-
row.
AS she bushes and wells her eyes with
their long, dark lashes. he breaks OH.
One of the men servants has whispered
that he is wanted, and will he come into
the hall?
Puzzled and much surprised. he muir
murs an excuse and rises. The heiress
leans across his empty chair, and tells
Of q
she has persuaded the Captain to come
to Henley.
"How good of YOU" answers the other,
with a glance that is anything but good
for the heiress has a triumphant smile
which is maddening.
The CAPTAINS footsteps eoho on the par
ouet- then there is a pause and the In
tervening doors are hurriedly closed
AS he comes into the light OF the nall
he stands amazed, and for one instant
looks like a man In a dream. A woman.
gayly attired in a cheap nne9y' comes
forward, and prefaces her words with
drunken laugh.
..rrhousht l was dead. Jim, didn't yer?''
eyes he answers sternly and growing
white.
'eNhy did you follow me here?'
saw YOU drive this way, and came IN.
Krav Won used to dine here In the ola
days. when the girl Of the house was
mere kid. 'Spect you intend to make up
70 her now, as though I wac out OF the
way
leaving the dining-rom, but they ascend
by another staircase, and do not pass
that way.
Captain Powers whole face hardens.
what do you want with me" he asks.
well, you are my husband, Amt yer :!
Yes"
"Then. I want money, and I'll not worry
you again
IT must CO." he speaks with an effort,
land make my excuses upstairs. Wait
for me outside; don't stay here"
Mind you comet No games, or I'll
kick up a pretty row.
You can trust me. Now, 60. I will
be with you in ten minutes"
The heiress meets his eyes as he comes
into the large drawing-room, and notices
nothing; she greets him with a smile
that is enchanting. and waits for him To
join her. The daughter of the house rises
hurriedly. and as quickly resumes her
seat.
The Captain speaks 10 her mother. ex-
plains that he has had bad news-to that
fact his white lips testify-and is called
away. The blaze of the diamonds flashes
in his eyes for a moment. and she says
something politely sympathetic. lie
moves on, dszed, perhaps. by the sparkle,
to where the heiress stands.
II am obliged to go away" he says in
a broken voice
And not come TO Henley?'
ut is quite impossible now"
She IS pique. and shows st.
20, we'll Good-by"
He looks at her with q dogs eyes. full
OF entreaty, but she turns her proud little
head, and makes a costing remark TO a
lady near. AS he crosses the room, his
senses duned with pain. he misses the
pale daughter OF the house. Once out
side in the passage. he comes face TO
face with her.
You are Ill or in great trouolei' ehe
cries: II am sorry"
He hesitates, and she goes on:
You needn't tell me. I can see II IN
your face 1 hope all viii end WELL
You are kind" he remarks. stupidity.
Have you any friend she COM
mences; but he breaks In
Mono ftiend can help me- You are
kind
In a dszea vay he holds out his hand.
but she shrinks back ard feigns not to
notice it He il conscious that he Is
wouudiug her. but the heiress and her
beauty have blinded him; his one wish
IS 20 escape
III I don't see you again." she speaks
hnrriedly-s'f you need a woman's aid IN
snv way, remember I should be 60
glad"
yes. YES. I must 60. Thank you a
thousand times"
He takes her hand, but her small m
gers slip through his, and, withou; an
other word. she passes him and Is gone.
The men are preparing 20 join the Ia