The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-25

unconscious exaegeration.' He attempted
an evasion.
You know have not exaggerated,
said she, quite firmly
IF it were possible, I wish you had.
His voice was low.
who is to blame?" She turned away.
II was almost whisper.
God knows I thought you had mar
ried"
There was no occasion to think. II
God knew, ST. James's would have
known"
1T was reported in st. James's you had
married abroad"
You believed?" she asked, scorntuily'
The man bowed an assent.
How conceited some men are" the
woman exclaimed.
That is woefully true, dear lady" SAID
he, quite pleasantly.
Was it from pique or lover" demanded
she, quickly.
Il sincerely hoped 1t was not from iose'
observed the man.
She made a gesture of intense resent
meut.
How can you say such things to me-"
ITO whom else should say tn9m. Inc
turn of affairs was becoming complex.
You are to marry my sister?"
THAT is also quite true"
you Tilted me"
(Which is not true at all.
You know that you did.
'"You should know l did not"
She turned her back 10 look out OF tie
window. Her toe tapped peculantly On the
carpet.
circumstances over which"
at is an error OF taste to bubble" said
she.
THE whole season you acted as my de-
voted slave"
ITO be your slave for a season Is to be
vour slave for lifetime" interrupted the
man.
You evidently possess many lives" she
retorted. tartly.
IF 1 did, I would lay them atyour teet'
was his earnest response.
where SO many others have trodden, L
really should decline" She spoke dis
painfully. IF I loed you then-which /
certainly did not-your conduct cannot
sneak of it, 1 went abroad, and on my
return. it is my sister. You are bent on
keeping in the family, but the family may
not want you"
ITO shut my eyes with your sister
only l prefer to keep them open-is TO re-
call your voice, its very timbre, It's every
infection. Once, when her arms were
round my neck it was you l saw; your
face was there, your eyes sought NINE
your lips-oh, God! Now, DO you uhOer-
stand-I love you still"
"It is not fair to my sister, said the
woman.
"Is II fair TO any of us?" asked the man.
"Your marriage to my sister" began
the woman.
"Could it not be to her sister," sug-
gested the man.
whom you jilted." sharply said the
woman, by way of parenthesis.
"Forgive me-" pleaded the man.
"Don't! Have you no tact at ali?'
at would seem had very little"
She smiled, sadly. Did you really think
I was married?" presently inquired the
woman.
.The story was generally accepted"
seWhat of this?" flashed out the woman
Her ewes were bright; her lips drawn
tightly together. She held between th'
! fingers of her hand a scarf-pin. The de
/ sign was simple. A small diamond glis
! tened from the center of coil of colder
rope. 1t could have been symbolic o
great love based on a greater hope
! Through a momentary transition 1t be
came a satire, drenched with tears.
! Let it be paramount" begged the man
Paramount! You forget who l ami
| cried the woman.
| For me-the beauty or the world, re
marked the man, gently.
"Your visit today" She toyed with tn
pin. ;,
81 am thinking of two years ago." Hi
voice was hard.
'What a cad you are? said she, placinI
| the pin in her dress.
It beg your pardon" said the man, hum
bly,.
She looked at him. and her eyes wer
tender as they fingered on the face OF tn
| man. She held the pin in her finger
again.
This bond" commenced she, lookin
at the pin.
"Can there be a bond between US?
asked the man, eagerly.
You make me weak. II is not possible
Yet love you Why were not you true
too?" Her eyes glistened
'uBut 1 was. 1 am. This marriage !
no criterion" exclaimed the man.
'.Matrlmony is customarily accepted a
| criterion" said the woman. quietly.
at is nothing" The man rose to nj
feet.
THE idiosyncraces Of nothing can b
tangible enough.
What a tragedy my life will be-! de
clared the man. bitterly.
by looking into your future you omi
my past" the girl repoined-
u believe some lives re-enact the deed
OF the past In the actions Of the future
What an awful comfort. 1t Will bligh
your happiness"
MY happiness, My happiness" and h
| paused. The rustic Of gown could b
heard on the staircase. 1t stopped al tn
| door.
Here comes my happiness" said h
cynicslly.
"Be courageous said the woman. a
| her sister entered.
There goes my happiness" said he :
himself. as the former woman lett ~
room. At the door she turned: their eye
net. The lips Of the man met the lip
Of the woman in his arms, but his hear
had already met the heart OK the ~oHa
by the door.
Marriage in the Philippines.
Women in the Philippine Islands hsy